Senior Electrical Engineer - Ruggedized Computer & Networking Systems
Saronic Technologies
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Austin, TX, USA
Posted 6+ months ago
Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.
Position Overview
Saronic Technologies is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer specializing in ruggedized computing and networking systems to join our Electrical Engineering – Advanced Development group.
This role will focus on the research, evaluation, and development of robust onboard computing architectures, embedded systems, and high-reliability network solutions that power Saronic’s autonomous vessel platforms.
The ideal candidate will have deep experience designing and validating ruggedized electronic systems for mission-critical applications, including embedded computing, network topologies, data management, and environmental hardening for commercial maritime and defense use cases.
This position bridges R&D, systems engineering, and hands-on integration - supporting both technology evaluation and fleet deployment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead R&D initiatives in ruggedized computing and networking architectures for autonomous surface vessels.
- Design, evaluate, and integrate embedded computing systems, data acquisition units, and network infrastructures optimized for high performance in harsh marine environments.
- Conduct benchmarking and trade studies on ruggedized COTS and custom computing solutions (edge computers, network switches, routers, storage units, etc.).
- Develop and validate system architectures for high-availability networks supporting autonomy, sensing, and control subsystems.
- Collaborate with software, autonomy, and mechanical engineering teams to ensure reliable data throughput and system resilience across vessel networks.
- Specify and validate environmental and EMC/EMI compliance for computing and networking hardware.
- Prototype and test system configurations in laboratory and field conditions, including shock, vibration, temperature, and humidity testing.
- Author technical documentation, including R&D reports, trade studies, wiring diagrams, and integration standards.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to internal design guidelines for next-generation computing and network systems.
- Support system integration and troubleshooting during prototype builds, dockside commissioning, and sea trials.
Required Qualifications
- B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.
- 7+ years of experience in electrical or systems engineering focused on computing and networking technologies in ruggedized or mission-critical environments.
- Expertise in embedded computing platforms, network design, and hardware integration.
- Experience with Ethernet, CAN, serial, and fiber-optic communication protocols and their implementation in distributed systems.
- Proven track record of benchmarking and trade study development for hardware performance and reliability.
- Familiarity with marine, aerospace, automotive or defense environmental standards (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, IEC 60945, etc.).
- Strong understanding of power distribution, grounding, and thermal management in dense electronics enclosures.
- Excellent communication skills and experience producing clear technical documentation and reports.
- Hands-on experience with system integration and environmental testing.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing or integrating ruggedized computing solutions for maritime or defense systems.
- Familiarity with network security, IEEE 1588/PTP Protocol, VLAN management, and deterministic networking for real-time systems.
- Knowledge of data logging, storage, and redundancy architectures in distributed sensor networks.
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) and hardware-software co-simulation environments.
- Background in autonomous or remote vehicle platforms.
- Understanding of cybersecurity standards and secure network design principles.
- Experience using 3D CAD tools to communicate with other engineering groups (e.g. Siemens NX, Creo, SolidWorks)
- Experience utilizing ECAD tools to define/draw single line diagrams and schematics (e.g. Altium, Zuken, AutoCAD, Siemens Capital)
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).
This role 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).
Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.
