Principal, Corporate Strategy - Corporate Development

Saronic Technologies•Austin, TX

About The Position

Saronic Technologies is a leader in developing autonomous and intelligent platforms that enhance maritime operations. The company is seeking a Principal to lead Corporate Strategy within its Corporate Development team. The role turns market, competitive, technology, and customer intelligence into strategic choices about where Saronic should compete, which capabilities it should own, and whether to build, buy, or partner to obtain them. Working directly with the executive team, the Board, and functional leaders, the Principal will set the strategic agenda shaping Saronic’s M&A pipeline, strategic partnerships, and major internal investments. Success means enabling faster, better-informed leadership decisions grounded in a rigorous, current understanding of the landscape and a clear rationale for how each strategic move strengthens Saronic’s advantage. The role also involves building and leading a small strategy team.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, or corporate development, with a meaningful portion spent leading engagements or strategy workstreams for senior executives.
Demonstrated record of shaping major strategic decisions, such as market entry, portfolio moves, M&A or partnership theses, and operating model changes, and carrying them through to action.
Exceptional structured problem-solving skills, including the ability to frame ambiguous questions, develop a hypothesis-driven plan, and reach defensible recommendations using incomplete information.
Strong financial and business acumen, including market sizing, business case development, and scenario analysis.
Working fluency in valuation and transaction concepts.
Outstanding written and verbal communication, including experience developing executive- and Board-level materials.
Proven ability to influence and align senior stakeholders across functions without direct authority.
Bachelor’s degree required.

Nice To Haves

Strategy practice experience in management consulting is strongly preferred.
Experience in defense, autonomy, maritime, or advanced hardware and technology sectors is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with DoD acquisition and budget dynamics is a plus.
MBA.

Responsibilities

Own the corporate strategy agenda by framing critical company questions, structuring analyses, and driving executive alignment on priorities and tradeoffs.
Build and maintain the market and competitive intelligence function, synthesizing customer, competitor, capital market, technology, and policy signals into decision-ready perspectives.
Lead build, buy, or partner analyses for capability gaps, evaluating strategic fit, cost, time-to-capability, risk, and long-term control, and making recommendations.
Develop strategic theses and target landscapes for the M&A pipeline, partnering with the M&A deal lead to prioritize targets and frame investment cases.
Originate and shape strategic partnerships, including teaming arrangements, supplier and technology partnerships, and joint ventures; define rationale, selection criteria, and value-sharing structures.
Lead long-term strategic initiatives such as market entry, portfolio prioritization, and capacity and investment decisions in partnership with Finance and functional leaders.
Prepare executive and Board materials that turn complex analysis into clear narratives, recommendations, and decisions.
Build and lead a small, high-caliber strategy team, setting standards for analytical rigor, synthesis, and communication.

Benefits

Medical insurance, with Saronic paying 100% of the employee premium and 80% of dependent premiums.
Dental and vision insurance, with Saronic paying 100% of the employee premium under the basic plan and 80% of dependent premiums.
Generous paid time off and holidays.
Paid maternity and paternity leave.
Competitive salary and 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, including a 24/7 telehealth helpline.
Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office.