About Us Saildrone is an oceanographic survey and maritime defense company creating a paradigm shift in how navies, civil governments, and commercial organizations obtain the real-time, accurate data required to monitor and protect our oceans. Saildrone's fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) carry purpose-built payloads supporting border protection, critical infrastructure security, hydrographic survey, offshore energy, and metocean monitoring. Powered by renewable wind and solar energy, Saildrone USVs provide long-duration operations measured in months, not days. Proprietary software applications and machine learning technology transform collected data into actionable insights and intelligence. We are based in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington DC and St. Petersburg, FL, and operate missions worldwide. We are 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 part of a high-performing, multidisciplinary team that delivers high impact for humanity and future generations. The Role We are seeking a highly skilled Business Operations Specialist supporting Drone Fleet operations with a focus on finance, utilization, and planning to join our dynamic team. This role will be responsible for optimizing financial operations, streamlining processes, and supporting the operational health of the drone fleet. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in finance, business analysis, and operational management, with the ability to work cross-functionally to enhance the company's overall efficiency and profitability. The business operations specialist will create and manage all purchase orders required to support fleet and field teams, globally. They will also work to align all spending to budget accounts and track accuracy of spending across multiple projects and missions. In addition, the person will work to track drone utilization metrics, measuring against defined KPI's and tracking and managing drone communication costs through multiple sources. This role reports into Fleet Operations Director. Responsibilities * Financial Operations Management: * Oversee day-to-day financial operations of the fleet organization, including budgeting, forecasting, PO creation, invoice approvals, and cost reconciliation. * Manage Corporate Credit Card spending and align with required tracking tools for proper cost accounting. * Support the finance team in maintaining accurate and timely financial reporting and cost accounting. * Monitor key financial metrics, analyze variances, and assist in the preparation of financial statements. * Setup new vendors into Netsuite. * Process Improvement: * Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce costs within financial operations. * Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline workflows and enhance financial controls. * Lead or participate in finance-related system implementation or upgrades, ensuring alignment with business needs. * Strategic Support: * Drone Utilization Tracking: monitor and update drone tracking tools which capture the functional drone utilization for a mission life cycle. Create reports to senior leadership regarding defined KPI's related to drone health and mission success. * Manage drone communications tracking and invoicing related to all communication and data transfer systems from the drone via satellite based systems (Certus & Starlink). * System Administrator: Help administer some of the operational systems used by the department. Set-up and maintain processes in our ERP (Netsuite), administer our fleet management system (Fleetio), and technician work hour tracker (Harvest) for time tracking. * Work closely with senior leadership to align financial operations with company goals and strategies. * Provide recommendations on business strategies based on financial performance analysis. * Compliance and Risk Management: * Ensure adherence to financial regulations, internal controls, and company policies, working with Financial teams. * Identify potential risks in financial operations and recommend mitigation strategies. Required Skills and Experience * Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Operations Research, Business Administration, or a related field. * 3+ years of experience in financial operations, business analysis, or a similar role. * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data. * Proficiency in financial software (ERP systems, Netsuite, SAP) and advanced MS Excel skills. * Experience with process improvement initiatives, related to business administration processes. * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work cross-functionally. * Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management abilities. Key Competencies * Strong financial acumen and business operations knowledge. * High throughput administrator of financial and operational processes * Ability to work independently and take initiative in a fast-paced environment. * Strategic thinker with a focus on continuous improvement. * Collaborative team player with a solution-oriented mindset. Physical Requirements * Must be able to work in an office and manufacturing environment. * Able to sit for periods of time working at a desk and computer. Location: This position is 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: * 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 * Plenty of snacks in our 3 office locations * Dog-friendly work environment A reasonable estimate of the current range is $79,400-$99,300 annually. Catch up on the latest news about us: TIME 100 Most Influential Companies 2024: Saildrone The Tiny Craft Mapping Superstorms at Sea - The New York Times An Underwater Mountain was Newly Discovered off California Coast - San Francisco Chronicle The Navy Is Using Robot Ships to Deter Human Smuggling out of Haiti - Defense One How US Navy Experiments Could Get Drones Beyond Spying and Into Battle - Defense News USVs Could Deter IUU Fishing - USNI Proceedings Mullen, Former Joint Chiefs Chairman, to Lead Board for Unmanned Tech Firm Saildrone - Breaking Defense Saildrone's First Aluminum Surveyor Autonomous Vessel Splashes Down for Navy Testing - TechCrunch Saildrone 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. #LI-Onsite #LI-LP1