Principal Software Engineer, Perception
About this role
You will design perception architecture, tackle complex sensor fusion challenges, and guide the software systems that allow autonomous unmanned surface vehicles to navigate dynamically changing maritime environments without human oversight. As the principal technical authority, you will bridge the gap between advanced research and reliable production software, connecting edge computing, sensor integration, and machine learning into unified hardware and software deployments.
Saildrone operates as a maritime defense contractor building autonomous surface vehicles utilized globally for national security missions. The engineering group needs a senior technical leader who can solve severe algorithmic problems in localization, tracking, and mapping while mentoring experienced team members through architecture reviews and hands-on debugging.
What you will do
- Define the overall technical direction and system architecture for Saildrone's perception stack.
- Solve difficult engineering problems involving sensor fusion, probabilistic estimation, localization, tracking, mapping, and uncertainty modeling.
- Determine how heterogeneous sensors and perception algorithms integrate to deliver reliable operational data for downstream autonomy.
- Translate experimental research algorithms into robust production code that operates within strict hardware, compute, latency, and environmental constraints.
- Provide technical leadership to senior and staff engineers through architecture reviews, guidance, and complex problem solving.
What you need
- Demonstrate exceptional depth in perception and robotics with proven experience deploying perception systems on autonomous vehicles, robots, aerospace, defense, or similarly complex physical systems.
- Possess deep expertise in sensor fusion, probabilistic estimation, and uncertainty modeling.
- Apply strong mathematical and algorithmic foundations with specialized knowledge in areas such as computer vision, localization, state estimation, tracking, mapping, or machine learning.
- Show a clear track record of moving sophisticated algorithms from experimentation into reliable production systems.
- Exhibit experience setting technical direction and architecture for complex autonomous systems along with exceptional technical judgment.
Nice to have
- Research or applied-research experience in perception or robotics.
- Experience deploying and maintaining autonomous systems in challenging or constrained environments.
- Experience across multiple generations of an autonomous platform.
Benefits
- Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual plus a robust annual holiday schedule and paid sick leave
- Premium, multi-tier Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with significant company contributions for employees and dependents
- Equity grants allowing participation in long-term company value creation
- Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with flexible pre-tax and Roth payroll contribution options
- Annual professional development reimbursement program for continuous learning
- Relocation assistance for eligible roles
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the salary range for this role?
The base salary range for this position is $300,000 to $380,000 USD. Actual compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and qualifications.
Where is the team located?
Saildrone's manufacturing and R&D headquarters are located in Alameda, CA. The company also maintains business development and sales operations in Washington, DC, and deployment hubs in Europe and the Middle East.
What kind of benefits are included?
Benefits include competitive paid time off, multi-tier medical, dental, and vision plans, equity grants, a 401(k) retirement plan, professional development reimbursement, and relocation assistance for eligible roles.