Zach

Mechanical Engineering Manager

Prototyping, iterative development, and competition are in Saildrone’s DNA. The culture here emphasizes moving fast and learning real lessons on the job.

As a mechanical engineering manager, I enjoy a healthy balance of being hands-on with the hardware, engineering work on the computer, and interacting with great people.

From integrating new sensor systems to enhance drone capabilities to deep diving into technical issues to improve reliability, the problems we’re solving on a daily basis have a measurable impact on our business—and beyond. It’s really satisfying to contribute to a solid product that does good in the world.

Everything in my career has been related to the wind or the sea, and my role at Saildrone is connected to both of those elements, bridging my passions for the ocean, sailing, and challenging engineering problems.

Prototyping, iterative development, and competition are in Saildrone’s DNA.

Every day is a healthy balance of working on the computer, being hands-on with the hardware, and interacting with great people.

It’s really satisfying to contribute to a solid product that does good in the world.

Every day brings a new challenge to learn and grow as an individual—and as a team.

I’ve been able to advance technically through challenging project assignments and as a leader through team building and management responsibilities.

The data we collect lends itself to a better understanding of our planet, and as our vehicles become more sophisticated, so does that understanding. Some of the most interesting data I’ve seen in my time here was recorded during our hurricane missions. Looking at the numbers, and trying to make sense of them, you realize, “Wow, the USV just slid off a massive wave and was in free-fall for several seconds—and then sailed away.”