Senior Electrical Engineer - Maritime Acoustic Sensor Systems

Saronic•Austin, TX

39d

About The Position

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing defense autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations for the Department of Defense (DoD) through autonomous and intelligent platforms. Position Overview Saronic Technologies is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer with expertise in maritime acoustic sensor systems to join our Electrical Engineering - Advanced Development group. This role focuses on the research, evaluation, and development of underwater acoustic sensing technologies - including sonar transducers, hydrophones, acoustic modems, and signal processing subsystems - supporting navigation, detection, and situational awareness capabilities for autonomous surface vessels. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in acoustic system design, integration, and testing within marine or defense environments, and a strong background in hardware evaluation, data analysis, and system trade studies. This position requires both analytical depth and hands-on experimentation in lab and at-sea environments.

Requirements

B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Acoustics, or related discipline.
7+ years of experience in acoustic system design, integration, or testing - preferably in commercial marine, defense, or undersea applications.
Expertise with underwater acoustics, including sonar, hydrophones, and acoustic communication systems.
Experience in hardware benchmarking, R&D testing, and performance analysis of acoustic sensors and electronics.
Strong understanding of signal processing concepts, analog front-end design, and data acquisition systems.
Familiarity with marine environmental factors affecting acoustic propagation (temperature, salinity, depth, and noise).
Proficiency in schematic design and documentation tools (e.g., Altium, AutoCAD Electrical, or SolidWorks Electrical).
Hands-on experience with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, data loggers, acoustic test equipment).
Strong technical writing and presentation skills, with ability to produce rigorous R&D and evaluation documentation.
Comfortable working in laboratory, dockside, and sea-trial environments.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing or integrating active and passive sonar systems for maritime platforms.
Familiarity with acoustic transducer design, impedance matching, and waterproofing methods.
Knowledge of marine and defense standards (MIL-STD-167, MIL-STD-461, IEC 60529, etc.).
Experience with acoustic modeling software (e.g., COMSOL, MATLAB, BELLHOP, or equivalent).
Background in sensor fusion and data analysis pipelines for multi-sensor acoustic systems.
Experience supporting hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) or real-time signal processing systems.

Responsibilities

Lead R&D initiatives in maritime acoustic sensing and underwater signal systems for autonomous vessel applications.
Evaluate and benchmark acoustic sensors and subsystems (e.g., sonar arrays, hydrophones, acoustic modems, Doppler sensors) across commercial and defense-grade offerings.
Design and execute experiments for acoustic performance testing, calibration, and environmental validation in laboratory and sea-trial conditions.
Develop and analyze trade studies comparing acoustic hardware and architectures to inform system selection, performance optimization, and integration paths.
Design and document system architectures for acoustic data acquisition, amplification, filtering, and digital conversion.
Collaborate with autonomy, software, and mechanical teams to integrate acoustic systems into vessel control and perception frameworks.
Develop and validate signal conditioning and analog front-end circuitry for low-noise, high-fidelity acoustic measurements.
Author detailed R&D documentation, including test reports, design specifications, and performance assessments.
Contribute to system safety, reliability, and environmental qualification efforts, including compliance with applicable maritime and defense standards.
Mentor junior engineers and contribute to Saronic's acoustic sensing roadmap and experimental methodologies.

Benefits

Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
Saronic pays 100% of the premium 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
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
Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office