Forward Deployed Hardware Engineer
External
Saronic · Austin, TXPrepare for this interview
EliteAI-generated questions, company research, and talking points tailored to this role
Responsibilities
- Serve as a multidisciplinary field engineer responsible for mechanical and electrical integration of novel systems and payloads onto our Autonomous Service Vessels (ASVs) and maritime platforms
- Lead rapid prototyping efforts to support field experimentation and platform evolution
- Perform system bring-up, integration, and troubleshooting of power, networking, sensors, and compute subsystems
- Own dockside and sea trials - prepare vessels, install new hardware packages, and perform system validation in operationally relevant environments
- Drive design-for-assembly and design-for-deployment feedback into hardware product development
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Mechanical, Electrical, Software, and Autonomy Engineers, to evolve and harden system designs
- Interface with suppliers and fabrication shops to support fast turnarounds of custom components and harnesses
- Contribute to documentation and training to support the scaling of deployment and manufacturing
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field. Master's degree is a plus
- 3+ years of experience working on integrated electromechanical systems, preferably in fielded or mission-critical environments
- Hands-on expertise in Mechanical assembly and fabrication (CNC, sheet metal, 3D printing, etc.)
- Hands-on expertise in Electrical integration (power systems, cabling, connectors, PCB bring-up)
- Hands-on expertise in rapid prototyping and system-level debugging
- Comfort working with tools such as CAD (SolidWorks, NX, or similar), basic electrical test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes), and field integration setups
- Experience working with a Linux-based operating system
- Understanding of networking protocols and distributed systems, including TCP/IP, UDP, and message-passing frameworks
- Willingness to work in dynamic, hands-on environments, including on and near the water
- Strong sense of ownership and bias for action
- You thrive in real-world environments, responsible for solving open-ended problems
- Experience working with autonomous systems, drones, or other robotic platforms is preferred
- Familiarity with maritime environments or naval platforms is preferred
- Ability to write basic software tools (e.g., Python, shell scripts) for hardware bring-up or test automation is preferred
- Exposure to ruggedized or IP-rated hardware design is preferred
- Experience in systems integration or test engineering is preferred
Benefits
Additional Information
Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms. Job Overview We are seeking a versatile Forward Deployed Hardware Engineer to join our technical team. You will have a strong mechanical and electrical background and be responsible for bringing our technology from the lab to the fleet. This is not a traditional engineering role. You will be responsible for deploying our systems into the real world, directly supporting maritime missions. You will integrate cutting-edge mechanical and electrical payloads, debug complex system-level problems, and iterate hardware designs in the field to ensure success. This is a highly hands-on and field-oriented role with time split between the lab, fabrication spaces, and the waterfront.
Your Match
How well this role fits your profile.
Company Intel
What employees say
Worked at Saronic? Share your experience