> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2706222-staff-software-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2706222-staff-software-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Staff Software Engineer - **Company:** Saildrone, Inc. - **Location:** Alameda, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $215,000.0 - $270,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Abstraction Layers, Computer Vision, C++ (Programming Language), Python (Programming Language), Machine Learning, Raw Data, Regression Testing, Sensor Fusion, Deep Learning, Information Technology, Production Code - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/staff-software-engineer-perception-saildrone-company-8289623 ## About the Role * 8+ years of professional experience writing production-grade software (primarily C++) for robotics, autonomous vehicles, or aerospace applications. * Deep, full-stack perception domain knowledge spanning sensor drivers, calibration, target tracking, computer vision, and multi-sensor fusion. * Proven track record of evaluating academic papers or cutting-edge research and rapidly converting them into optimized, production-ready code. * Experience deploying GPU-accelerated algorithms and machine learning models to resource-constrained edge devices (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson/AGX). * Strong track record of technical leadership and cross-functional collaboration to solve hard autonomy problems from concept to real-world deployment. * BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field. ## Description Saildrone is seeking a Staff Software Engineer, Perception to join our Robotics Software Org. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, Perception, you will play a critical role in enabling real-time detection, tracking, and classification of vessels across Saildrone's autonomous fleet. You will architect and deliver perception systems that operate reliably in complex maritime environments, directly advancing Saildrone's mission to provide persistent maritime intelligence. We are looking for a technical expert who creates clarity from ambiguity, drives high-performance systems from concept to deployment, and thrives in solving hard autonomy problems in real-world conditions., The Perception Engineering team is responsible for the design, development, and deployment of cutting-edge multi-sensor perception payloads. We are focused on delivering robust, scalable solutions for global maritime domain awareness to combat illegal activities, support national security, and ensure the safety of our unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) in the world's most challenging oceans., * Lead end-to-end perception engineering efforts, owning the technical pipeline all the way from low-level sensor Hardware Abstraction Layers (HALs) to high-level multi-modal sensor fusion algorithms. * Jump fluidly across different layers of the perception stack, seamlessly pivoting from raw data drivers to deep learning tracking models by leveraging extensive, hands-on domain knowledge. * Bridge the gap between theory and execution by quickly productionizing state-of-the-art computer vision and machine learning research into rugged, real-time code. * Be accountable for high-performance C++ software pipelines on real-time edge computing platforms, ensuring absolute reliability for months-long, autonomous ocean deployments. * Work closely with Autonomy, Machine Learning, and Hardware teams to integrate and fuse multi-modal data-combining radar, camera, and AIS-to mitigate vehicle motion and wave clutter. * Carry out day-to-day work utilizing our custom, next-gen state-of-the-art perception software and modern GPU-accelerated environments in accordance with established safety and performance standards. * Monitor for system inefficiencies, sensor degradation, or algorithmic bottlenecks, take action to mitigate risks, and escalate when processing or power thresholds are exceeded. * Design and maintain large-scale regression testing and simulation frameworks, utilizing Python to analyze real-world mission telemetry and evaluate algorithm performance. ## Related Videos - [Robots 2.0: When artificial intelligence meets steel](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1452-robots-2-0-when-artificial-intelligence-meets-steel) - [Getting Started with Machine Learning](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/260-getting-started-with-machine-learning) - [Data Governance in the Era of AI](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1622-data-governance-in-the-era-of-ai) - [Robots are coming into the wild! Full-Stack Robotics Engineers, be ready!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/479-robots-are-coming-into-the-wild-full-stack-robotics-engineers-be-ready) - [Code to Road in < 12 hours](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1082-code-to-road-in-12-hours) - [Geometric deep learning for drug discovery](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/264-geometric-deep-learning-for-drug-discovery) ## Related Articles - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [Dev Digest 137 - AI'm not sure about this](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/485-dev-digest-137-ai-m-not-sure-about-this) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [Software Engineer Career: Things You Should Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/143-software-engineer-career-things-you-should-know)