About Us

At Saildrone, we sustainably explore, map, and monitor the oceans to understand, protect, and preserve our world. We provide real-time access to critical data from any ocean on earth, 24/7/365, and use proprietary software applications to transform that data into actionable insights and intelligence. Our fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), powered by renewable wind and solar power, have a minimal carbon footprint and operate without the need for a crewed support vessel. Saildrone works with governments, civil agencies, foundations, universities, and private companies around the globe to drive better information about our oceans and seas—from sailing into the eye of a category 4 hurricane to obtain new data about how storms intensify, collecting new CO2 data in hard-to-reach areas, and counting fish biomass to inform sustainable fishery management, to mapping the ocean floor and reducing illegal fishing and drug trafficking. As a result of our work, Saildrone has been included on Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, earned an Ocean Awards’ Innovation Award, won Best Tech For Good from the Timmy Awards, and was recognized by Andreessen Horowitz’s American Dynamism 50 list of the Top 50 Companies Kickstarting American Renewal. Our first-annual Atlantic hurricane mission with NOAA was included as one of The New York Times’ 21 Things That Happened for the First Time in 2021 and Popular Science's 100 Greatest Innovations of 2021.

We are based in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington DC and St. Petersburg, FL, and operate our missions worldwide. Saildrone is backed by top-tier investors in the frontier tech and sustainability sectors, including Social Capital, Capricorn, Lux Capital, BOND Capital, and Emerson Collective.

This is an exciting opportunity with a fast-growing team at the cutting-edge intersection of big data services and autonomous hardware. You will be an integral part of a high-performing multi-disciplinary delivering high impact for humanity and future generations.

The Role

Saildrone is seeking a Buyer to help meet the demand for sourcing Electro-Mechanical parts supporting the production and service of our products. This position reports to the Manager of Global Supply Chain and is located in Alameda CA. In this position, you will work with Engineering and Production Planning to plan and schedule procurement activities to meet schedule and demand needs. They will work on new R&D projects and sustained production needs. The ideal candidate is very passionate about supply chain and has a magnetic drive to learn. They have great communication skills working with suppliers and leaders across multiple levels throughout an organization. This individual has a proven track record of delivering materials on time factoring in quality and cost.

What You’ll Do

• Place orders for material in an accurate and timely manner
• Source, negotiate and track orders with the supplier base
• Monitor, triage, and solve any material or sourcing issues
• Work to meet production and R&D schedule demands for material
• Support manufacturing team in their material availability needs to meet production demands
• Communicate material readiness with production and operations teams
• Understand bills of materials and coordinate with engineering team when needed
• Understand machined parts sourcing and communicate DFM feedback from vendors to internal engineering team

Required skills and experience

• 2 years experience in a supply chain organization in procurement, and min. HS diploma or equivalent
• Hands-on experience in any of the following: mechanical development, manufacturing practices/techniques involving CNC Machined parts, sheet metal, anodized aluminum, enclosures, jigs, tooling, and fixtures
• Proven track record of negotiating pricing, cost reductions, RFQs, benchmarking and cost modeling
• Ability to understand Engineering and Design direction and provide focused supply-chain solutions
• Fluent in PLM and ERP systems (Netsuite, SAP)
• Experience working with domestic and/or international suppliers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable working independently and in teams in a fluid, fast-paced environment
• Humble and ability to maintain a positive attitude
• Proficient in Google Sheets

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed on a computer and requires ability to operate a keyboard and other peripheral devices.

Location: This position is onsite daily in Alameda, CA. Our waterfront office offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay in always sunny Alameda. Even our walls have good karma, our offices mix software development with a hardware production line in the former airplane hangar used to film 'The Matrix'.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision plans for you and your dependents.
• Short and relaxing ferry ride from the Ferry Building for SF residents
• Enhanced Parental Leave Programs
• Competitive benefits including excellent medical, life insurance, 401k plan

Catch up on the latest news about us:
The Tiny Craft Mapping Superstorms at Sea – The New York TimesAlameda's Saildrones collect hurricane data - KTVU Fox 2Record Setting: Saildrone Explorer SD 1045 Entered into Guinness BookSaildrone Takes the Wraps Off its Voyager Autonomous Research Vehicle – TechCrunchAn Underwater Mountain was Newly Discovered off California Coast – San Francisco ChronicleThe Quest for CO2: You Can’t Capture What You Can’t Find – Inside Unmanned SystemsHacking the Anthropocene with Survivalist Robots [VIDEO] – FreethinkHere’s What Hurricane Fiona’s Surf Looked Like, from Atop a 50-foot Wave – The Washington PostAn Unprecedented View Inside a Hurricane – EOSThey Sailed Into a Hurricane, Now These Unmanned Saildrones are Seeking Data on Our Carbon Uptake – CNNSaildrone Featured Videos Playlist

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
At Saildrone, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that a diverse and inclusive team leads to innovation and better problem-solving. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, disabilities, and backgrounds.
Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, relevant experience, and the ability to deal with complexity and problem solve within our organization, among other factors.
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.
Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles submitted through our website or to personal email accounts of employees of Saildrone are considered property of Saildrone and are not subject to payment of agency fees.

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