Tech Lead Manager: Build and Release

About Us

With more than 2 million nautical miles sailed and 50,000 days at sea, Saildrone has earned the trust of governments worldwide. Our unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) deliver continuous, real-time intelligence in the toughest oceans on Earth—giving our partners faster awareness, stronger security, and a decisive edge at sea.

Our USVs are long-range, extreme-endurance platforms powered by advanced sensors and proprietary AI - they have been designed to operate where no crewed vessel can. They collect critical insights above and below the surface to support border security, law enforcement, naval operations, and undersea infrastructure protection.

Headquartered in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington, DC, and global deployment hubs, Saildrone operates missions worldwide. Join a fast-moving, mission-driven team at the intersection of AI, autonomy, and defense technology—where data turns into intelligence, and intelligence drives action.

The Role

We’re seeking a highly skilled and experienced Software Build Systems Engineer with expertise in Bazel who will lead our Build and Release team! The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining our software build systems using Bazel, ensuring efficient and reliable build processes for our software projects. As a Software Build Systems Engineer, you will collaborate closely with development teams, DevOps engineers, and other stakeholders to optimize and streamline our build systems, enabling faster and more efficient software development and release cycles. You will split your time between hands-on development and leading a small engineering team (1-2 ICs) to ensure successful execution of a roadmap in alignment with other software teams and business objectives.

This role is required to be onsite in Alameda, CA in the Bay Area 3 days per week - this is our hybrid model. This is not a remote position.

Responsibilities

The first few months in this role will be 100% as an IC, to allow you to get familiar with the stack and how we work. You'll then transition to a 50/50 split between managing a small team and individual contributor work.

• Design, develop, and maintain software build systems using Bazel to support our software development lifecycle.
• Collaborate with development teams to understand their build requirements and provide technical guidance and support.
• Configure and customize Bazel to meet specific project needs, optimizing build performance and resource utilization.
• Troubleshoot and resolve build issues, including dependency management, compilation errors, and test failures.
• Implement and manage build pipelines and continuous integration (CI) processes using Bazel.
• Collaborate with DevOps engineers to integrate the build systems with deployment and release processes.
• Monitor and improve build system efficiency, identifying bottlenecks and implementing optimizations.
• Stay updated with industry best practices, tools, and trends related to software build systems and continuous integration.
• Document build processes, configurations, and procedures for reference and knowledge sharing.
• Utilize your engineering management skills to plan and execute along a roadmap defined by business objectives and informed by rigorous engineering design.
• Work with our technical program management team to align work to schedules and ensure delivery.
• Communicate in a friendly, supportive manner with engineers or other stakeholders, ensuring alignment and advocating for effective solutions.
• Mentor and facilitate career development for individual contributors.

Required Skills and Experience

• 5+ years of experience in software engineering
• 1+ years people management experience, including technical team leadership, scheduling, and resource planning
• Proven experience as a Software Build Systems Engineer or similar role, with expertise in configuring and managing build systems using Bazel.
• Strong knowledge of software build processes, dependency management, and source control systems.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Bash, Python, or Groovy for automation and customization of build systems.
• Experience with continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) concepts and tools.
• Familiarity with software development best practices, version control systems (e.g., Git), and code review processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze and resolve complex build-related issues.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on quality and efficiency in build system design and implementation.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience with large-scale software development projects and complex build configurations.
• Familiarity with other build systems such as CMake, Gradle, or Make.
• Knowledge of containerization technologies (e.g., Docker) and cloud-based build infrastructure.
• Understanding of software testing frameworks and practices.
  

Location: This position is in Alameda, CA. Our waterfront office offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay in always-sunny Alameda.

All employees are required to provide proof of authorization to work in the U.S. within their first 3 days of work. Please note that the Company does not sponsor employees for work visas or permanent resident cards to work in the U.S. If you need sponsorship for a work visa or green card, you will not be qualified for employment with Saildrone.

Benefits:

• Paid time off, including vacation, bereavement, jury duty, sick time and parental leave
• Comprehensive and competitive medical, dental and vision plans, and HSA with employer matching.
• Company sponsored life insurance
• Stock Options
• Annual stipend for continued learning and development
• Quarterly company BBQs at our Alameda HQ (bring your friends and family!)
• Free Bay Area Public Transportation via AlamedaTMA with the BayPass Clipper Card

Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, and relevant experience, among other factors.

#LI-Hybrid