Forward Deployed Build Engineer

Saronic Technologies•Austin, TX

10d

About The Position

Saronic Technologies is seeking a Forward Deployed Build Engineer to join its Forward Deployed Engineering team. The role builds, integrates, validates, and deploys prototype hardware for Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs), taking technology from the lab to the fleet. It involves working alongside engineers developing new capabilities, bringing operational considerations into designs before they are finalized, proving hardware, defining installation and maintenance approaches, and supporting work at the waterfront. Work is split among labs, fabrication spaces, and the water. The engineer reports to the Forward Deployed Engineering Director and works with Forward Deployed Hardware Engineers, who set design intent and priorities. The role owns execution: taking tasks or problems through scoping, sourcing, building, testing, documentation, and close-out, while escalating design-level questions. The engineer will be embedded in a product pod supporting multiple hardware engineers and may rotate between pods as program needs change. The position requires significant travel, typically 50–70%, to test sites and deployment locations. Long hours are common, particularly during demonstrations and deployments. Work includes prototype integration and troubleshooting from laboratory bring-up through dockside and sea trials and on-site deployment, as well as developing procedures, supporting sustainment handoffs, and training operators and technicians.

Requirements

Associate degree or bachelor's degree in a technical field, military technical training, trade certification, or equivalent hands-on experience.
Hands-on experience building, testing, or maintaining integrated electromechanical systems, preferably in fielded or mission-critical environments.
Ability to read and work from engineering drawings, CAD models, wiring diagrams, and electrical schematics.
Hands-on expertise in mechanical assembly and fabrication, including hand and power tools, sheet metal, 3D printing, and basic machining.
Hands-on expertise in electrical integration, including harness construction, soldering and crimping, connector selection, wire sizing, voltage drop, DC power distribution, grounding, and bonding.
Hands-on expertise troubleshooting with electrical test equipment such as multimeters and oscilloscopes.
Demonstrated ownership of a build, integration, or test effort from scoping through close-out, including a track record of handling ambiguous tasks with limited oversight.
Ability to run tests and root cause investigations and clearly document data, findings, and procedures for engineers, writers, or operators.
Comfort taking direction from engineers and leading a task or small effort when needed.
Willingness to work in dynamic, hands-on environments, including on and near the water, and to travel up to 50–70%.
Strong sense of ownership and bias for action.

Nice To Haves

Military or commercial marine maintenance background, such as a Navy or Coast Guard engineering rating, small craft maintenance, or comparable experience.
Marine systems experience, including propulsion, steering and hydraulics, through-hulls and sealing, corrosion control and bonding, or marine DC electrical.
Experience working with autonomous systems, drones, or other robotic platforms.
Familiarity with maritime environments or naval platforms.
Comfort with a Linux command line and basic IP network troubleshooting.
Composites or fiberglass layup and repair experience.
Boat handling experience, a USCG license, or crane, forklift, and rigging qualifications.
Exposure to ruggedized or IP-rated hardware.

Responsibilities

Embed within a product pod supporting multiple Forward Deployed Hardware Engineers, focusing on forward deployed projects and rotating between pods as demand requires.
Own execution of integration plans on operational systems: scope tasks, source components, build and prove hardware, and complete work with documentation.
Build, integrate, and modify prototype mechanical and electrical hardware from drawings, CAD models, and engineering sketches, emphasizing speed to test.
Propose build approaches and make build decisions within engineering design intent when direction is incomplete, escalating design-level questions.
Fabricate brackets, fixtures, jigs, and one-off components using hand tools, shop equipment, sheet metal, and 3D printing.
Build wiring harnesses and cabling for the marine environment, and coordinate with suppliers and fabrication shops for rapid custom components and harnesses.
Organize and lead day-to-day use of lab and shop spaces, maintain tools, equipment, and inventory, prepare workspaces for active builds, and train teammates in safe and effective use.
Troubleshoot prototype hardware with engineering and field teams from lab bring-up through dockside and sea trials to on-site deployment.
Advise engineering teams on design updates that improve build efficiency, practicality, and serviceability.
Lead hardware and subsystem integration efforts at CONUS and OCONUS locations.
Validate engineering changes before wider release and support root cause investigations.
Serve as the on-site engineering point of contact during deployment, provide technical support, and communicate findings to engineering teams.
Bring operational and maintenance experience into early requirements and design discussions, and provide recommendations for design for assembly, serviceability, and deployment.
Write installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures for prototypes in partnership with technical writing.
For prototypes entering sustainment, propose maintenance intervals, consumables, spares lists, and special tooling; support handoff to Mission Support; and train operators, field service representatives, and technicians.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical insurance; Saronic pays 100% of employee premiums and 80% of dependent premiums.
Dental and vision insurance; Saronic pays 100% of the basic-plan employee premium and 80% of dependent premiums.
Generous paid time off and holidays.
Paid maternity and paternity leave.
Competitive, industry-standard salary with opportunities for performance-based bonuses.
401(k) plan with company match.
Stock options.
Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
Discounted pet insurance options, including a 24/7 telehealth helpline.
Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office.