Build Engineer

Saronic · Defense · Austin, TX · Engineering

This role focuses on building and integrating Autonomous Service Vessels (ASVs) for maritime operations, bridging design engineering and production. Responsibilities include assisting in ASV design and construction, collaborating on CAD modeling and system design, acting as a liaison between engineering and production, resolving non-conformances, managing Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), supporting the integration of autonomous navigation systems, participating in design reviews, and preparing documentation for regulatory bodies and clients. The role requires a degree in a relevant engineering field, familiarity with maritime industry standards and regulations, strong CAD skills, and experience in a shipyard or onboard ships.

What you'd actually do

  1. Assist in the design, development, analysis, and construction of Autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs)
  2. Collaborate with other engineers to perform CAD modeling, structural/mechanical/electrical design, and weight management for vessel optimization
  3. Operate as liaison between engineering, drafting, and production to resolve challenges that arise during design and construction
  4. Identify and resolve non-conformances, lead root cause analysis, and drive resolution via IRBs (Issue Review Boards) and rework plans
  5. Lead and coordinate Engineering Change Orders (ECOs)—ensure traceability, communication, implementation, and verification

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree or greater in Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
  • Familiarity with maritime industry standards including ABS and coast guard regulations
  • Strong fundamentals in core engineering principles, including structural, mechanical, and electrical systems
  • Experience working in a shipyard or onboard ships
  • Strong knowledge with 2D and 3D CAD software (e.g., Rhino, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, NX)
  • Deep familiarity with interpreting technical drawings, GD&T, weld symbols, and fabrication tolerances
  • Strong communication skills across engineers, technicians, quality teams, and leadership
  • Comfortable working in an industrial shipyard environment

Nice to have

  • Support the integration of autonomous navigation and control systems into vessel designs
  • Participate in design reviews and brainstorming sessions for new and existing vessel concepts
  • Support documentation, technical writing, and preparation of reports for internal use, regulatory bodies, and client presentations
  • Manage CAD models to document changes made during ship construction
  • Support sea-trials and at-sea testing of ASVs as needed

What the JD emphasized

  • move from development to full rate production
  • building high-quality, reliable vessels at scale
  • integrating automation
  • seamless assembly of structures, electronics, and vessel systems
  • Familiarity with maritime industry standards including ABS and coast guard regulations
  • Strong fundamentals in core engineering principles, including structural, mechanical, and electrical systems
  • Experience working in a shipyard or onboard ships
  • Strong knowledge with 2D and 3D CAD software (e.g., Rhino, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, NX)
  • Deep familiarity with interpreting technical drawings, GD&T, weld symbols, and fabrication tolerances