Mission Operations Engineer – Technical Instructor

Saronic Technologies•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Saronic is seeking a Mission Operations Engineer – Technical Instructor to design, develop, and deliver advanced training programs in support of our autonomous systems mission sets. This role blends curriculum development, operational training, and hands-on engineering support to ensure mission readiness across internal teams, contracted customers, and DoD partners. You will be responsible for both creating and executing hands-on training initiatives that encompass mission planning, ASV (Autonomous Surface Vessel) operations, system troubleshooting, and maintenance procedures. This role also requires contributing to team readiness, developing continued professional development programs within the department, driving performance standards, and ensuring operations personnel are prepared to operate and support Saronic ASVs.

Requirements

Demonstrated success in project coordination and leadership in current role.
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with team members, stakeholders, and senior management.
Demonstrated problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to addressing challenges.
Strong leadership qualities, including the ability to motivate and inspire team members.
Job requires up to 50% travel.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent technical experience
Minimum 4–8 years relevant experience
Experience in software development with C++ in Linux
Experience with embedded systems and real-time computing
Ability to certify as “fit for work” by demonstrating ability to swim and tread water
Frequently and repetitively, lift, push and carry up to 50 lbs.
Will be exposed to marine environments, including sun, wind, rain, cold, and saltwater spray, often for extended periods
Must be able to operate in daylight, low-light, and night conditions using marine navigation systems and visual cues
Ability to perform physically demanding work i.e. stoop, lay, bend, reach, squat, kneel, crouch, twist and crawl for extended periods of time including up to 12 hours/day
Climb and maintain balance on ladders, platforms, or other high structures
Ability to stand and walk for up to 10 hours a day, including over varied and uneven terrain
Climb and maintain balance on ladders, scaffolding or other high structures
Ability to work in a hot and humid environment and follow safe practices to stay hydrated
Hearing ability sufficient to detect alarms, verbal instructions, and workplace hazards in a high-noise environment.
Must be able to work in a shipyard environment, including indoor fabrication shops, onboard vessels under construction, and outdoor areas exposed to changing weather conditions.
Wear Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to: safety glasses, safety shoes, hard hat and adhering to prescribed safety rules and guidelines

Nice To Haves

Experience with robotics, autonomy, or maritime systems preferred

Responsibilities

Lead instructor-led training for internal operators and external customers on system operation, troubleshooting, and mission workflows
Facilitate hands-on labs, simulations, and mission exercises across classroom, lab, and field environments
Serve as the primary interface for trainee learning, ensuring comprehension, engagement, and operational readiness
Evaluate trainee performance, administer assessments, and provide actionable feedback and remediation
Lead certification events, operator checkouts, and mission rehearsals
Translate real-world mission operations and engineering workflows into structured, scalable training programs
Develop and maintain training materials, including lesson plans, SOPs, labs, simulations, and assessments
Continuously refine curriculum based on field experience, trainee performance, and product updates
Partner closely with Engineering, Product, and Mission Operations to ensure training reflects current system capabilities and best practices
Own customer onboarding and training delivery, ensuring successful adoption of Saronic systems
Translate complex technical concepts into clear, operator-focused instruction tailored to varying experience levels
Act as a trusted technical advisor to customers during training and early operational use
Gather customer feedback and translate it into actionable improvements for training and product teams
Deploy and operate ASV systems in real-world maritime environments to support training and mission execution
Lead on-water training events, demonstrations, and mission scenarios
Diagnose and resolve software and hardware issues in the field while incorporating lessons into training
Ensure training environments accurately reflect real-world operational conditions
Support and provide feedback on the development, testing, and maintenance of software for autonomous surface vessels using C++ and Rust in a Linux environment
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support system integration and performance
Conduct testing and validation of system updates in both simulated and live environments
Document technical processes, findings, and best practices
Collaborate with stakeholders to achieve mission and training goals
Foster a collaborative, learning-focused team environment
Provide mentorship and technical guidance to other instructors and operators

Benefits

Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents
Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays
Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents
Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses
Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match
Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success
Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline
Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office