Senior Electrical Engineer – Maritime Acoustic Sensor Systems
Saronic Technologies•Austin, TX
•Onsite
About The Position
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.
- Requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
