Senior Electrical Engineer – Platforms - Saronic

Job Title: Senior Electrical Engineer – Platforms
Job Location: Austin, Texas
Job Listing URL: https://jobs.lever.co/saronic/750c7f03-e307-4dfa-ab59-7e1b1fcdb71f
Job Description: 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 deep experience in the design, specification, and validation of vessel/vehicle electronic systems.

This position will play a key role in developing and evaluating ruggedized electrical architectures for autonomous maritime platforms - ensuring performance, durability, and compliance under shock, vibration, thermal, and marine conditions.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record designing or specifying electrical and electronic systems for marine, automotive, defense, or mining vehicles, with a focus on system integration, environmental qualification, and manufacturability. This is a design and development driven, hands-on role at the intersection of design innovation and field performance.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the design, specification, and validation of electrical and electronic systems for autonomous maritime platforms operating in extreme environments.
Develop and document system requirements and specifications for electrical subsystems including power distribution, computing, sensing, and communications.
Evaluate and select or design components suitable for reliable operation in harsh environments.
Conduct trade studies and benchmarking of commercially available systems and technologies from adjacent industries (automotive, defense, mining).
Design and validate system architectures that optimize reliability, maintainability, and environmental protection.
Oversee environmental qualification testing, including vibration, thermal cycling, ingress protection, and EMI/EMC compliance.
Collaborate with mechanical, software, and autonomy teams to ensure seamless system integration and interoperability.
Support prototype builds, troubleshooting, and commissioning through lab and field testing - including dockside and at-sea trials.
Author detailed design documentation, including specifications, trade studies, test reports, and system integration standards.
Mentor junior engineers in general design principles and ruggedization techniques.
Required Qualifications
B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering or related field.
7+ years of professional experience designing or specifying electrical and electronic systems for harsh or safety-critical environments.
Strong understanding of environmental qualification standards such as MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, ISO 16750, or IEC 60068.
Proven experience with rugged electrical system design, including connectors, harnessing, grounding, and sealing methods.
Hands-on experience with environmental and reliability testing (vibration, salt fog, humidity, temperature cycling).
Familiarity with DC (12/24/48V) power distribution architectures
Understanding of EMI/EMC design principles and mitigation techniques.
Proficiency in schematic and wiring design tools (Altium, AutoCAD Electrical, SolidWorks Electrical, Zuken, or similar).
Excellent technical documentation and communication skills.
Ability to thrive in hands-on R&D environments that blend lab experimentation with field testing.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in marine, defense, automotive, aerospace, or mining vehicle design.
Familiarity with AC (120/240/480V) power distribution architectures
Background in embedded system and sensor integration
Familiarity with common networking and external communication methods (LOS/BLOS)
Experience with reliability analysis tools (FMEA, FTA, or reliability block diagrams).
Knowledge of electrical safety and certification standards, such as UL, CE, or ABS requirements.
Exposure to autonomous or remote system architectures.
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
Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Occasional standing and walking within the office.
Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment.
Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports.
Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies.
Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages).