Senior Marine Quality Engineer

Saronic Technologies•Brownsville, TX

About The Position

Saronic Technologies is seeking an experienced Senior Marine Quality Engineer to lead quality engineering for the construction, integration, and testing of autonomous surface vessels (ASVs). The role provides technical leadership across shipyard operations, including hull fabrication, welding, outfitting, electrical integration, and harbor and sea trials. The engineer will develop and improve quality processes, establish inspection and verification strategies, and resolve complex quality issues so vessels meet customer, naval, regulatory, and internal requirements. The position strengthens quality systems and improves manufacturing and integration processes, supporting vessel reliability, safety, and performance throughout the production lifecycle. It works across engineering, production, supply chain, and program management, and includes supplier and external quality coordination, quality documentation and reporting, and mentoring quality engineers, inspectors, and shipyard personnel.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
At least 7 years of experience in quality engineering, quality assurance, or a related technical discipline within shipbuilding, maritime, defense, or complex manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated experience leading quality initiatives, resolving complex technical issues, and improving manufacturing or integration processes.
Strong understanding of applicable maritime, military, and customer quality requirements.
Extensive knowledge of shipyard and marine manufacturing processes, including hull fabrication, welding, mechanical outfitting, electrical integration, and vessel-level systems integration.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, inspection requirements, and test procedures.
Proficiency in root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action, nonconformance management, risk assessment, inspection planning, and continuous improvement methods.
Experience using quality metrics and data analysis to identify trends and drive measurable improvements.
Experience developing or overseeing inspection and test plans, evaluating inspection results, verifying product conformity, and supporting harbor trials, sea trials, and final vessel acceptance.
Familiarity with measurement equipment, inspection tools, and relevant testing methodologies.
Ability to lead cross-functional quality initiatives, provide technical direction, mentor team members, and influence stakeholders without relying solely on formal authority.
Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, including the ability to independently resolve complex quality issues, assess technical risk, and implement sustainable corrective actions in a fast-paced production environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including communicating technical findings, presenting quality metrics, documenting corrective actions, and collaborating with internal teams, customers, suppliers, and external regulatory bodies.
High standards for technical accuracy, documentation, and product conformity, with a proactive approach to identifying risk and ensuring quality, reliability, safety, and performance requirements are met.
For roles based in the United States, eligibility for U.S. Person status is required because the role involves access to export-controlled information or items.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree or relevant professional certifications in quality engineering, welding inspection, or nondestructive testing.
Experience with ABS, U.S. Navy requirements, ISO 9001, and other relevant regulatory or defense standards.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of quality assurance processes across shipyard fabrication, assembly, outfitting, systems integration, and testing.
Establish inspection plans, acceptance criteria, and quality controls aligned with drawings, technical specifications, regulatory requirements, military standards, and customer expectations.
Own and strengthen quality processes to meet applicable maritime, defense, and customer requirements, including ISO 9001, ABS, and U.S. Navy standards as applicable.
Translate complex requirements into actionable inspection, verification, and documentation practices.
Provide technical oversight of welding, hull construction, mechanical and electrical systems, and vessel-level integration.
Develop risk-based inspection strategies and verify critical characteristics and processes.
Support harbor and sea trials by evaluating system readiness, reviewing test results, and confirming quality requirements before delivery.
Lead investigations into complex nonconformances, recurring defects, and systemic quality issues using root cause analysis and CAPA methods.
Verify corrective action effectiveness and communicate lessons learned across programs and production teams.
Drive improvements in product quality, manufacturing consistency, process capability, and production efficiency; analyze quality trends and metrics and implement preventive controls.
Establish and oversee processes for identifying, documenting, evaluating, and resolving nonconforming materials, components, and assemblies.
Work with engineering and production to assess technical risk, determine dispositions, and ensure corrective actions are completed; escalate critical risks and recommend actions to program leadership.
Advise engineering, production, supply chain, and program management teams and influence design and manufacturing decisions, including design for manufacturability, inspection, and reliability.
Maintain the integrity and accuracy of inspection records, test reports, nonconformance reports, corrective action records, and acceptance documentation.
Develop and communicate quality performance reports, identify trends, and present recommendations to technical and program leadership.
Support supplier quality activities, including evaluation of supplier documentation, inspection plans, material certifications, and nonconformance resolution.
Coordinate with external inspectors, regulatory representatives, customers, and other stakeholders for audits, inspections, and vessel acceptance.
Mentor quality engineers, inspectors, and shipyard personnel; establish consistent inspection practices and promote accountability, continuous improvement, and ownership.

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 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, including a 24/7 Telehealth helpline.
Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office.