Forward Deployed Hardware Engineer

Saronic · Defense · Austin, TX · Engineering

This role focuses on the hardware integration and deployment of autonomous maritime platforms, bridging the gap between lab development and real-world application. It involves hands-on work with mechanical and electrical systems, rapid prototyping, system bring-up, and field validation, requiring close collaboration with software and autonomy engineers.

What you'd actually do

  1. Serve as a multidisciplinary field engineer responsible for mechanical and electrical integration of novel systems and payloads onto our Autonomous Service Vessels (ASVs) and maritime platforms
  2. Lead rapid prototyping efforts to support field experimentation and platform evolution
  3. Perform system bring-up, integration, and troubleshooting of power, networking, sensors, and compute subsystems
  4. Own dockside and sea trials - prepare vessels, install new hardware packages, and perform system validation in operationally relevant environments
  5. Drive design-for-assembly and design-for-deployment feedback into hardware product development

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field
  • 3+ years of experience working on integrated electromechanical systems, preferably in fielded or mission-critical environments
  • Hands-on expertise in Mechanical assembly and fabrication (CNC, sheet metal, 3D printing, etc.)
  • Hands-on expertise in Electrical integration (power systems, cabling, connectors, PCB bring-up)
  • Hands-on expertise in rapid prototyping and system-level debugging
  • Comfort working with tools such as CAD (SolidWorks, NX, or similar), basic electrical test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes), and field integration setups
  • Experience working with a Linux-based operating system
  • Understanding of networking protocols and distributed systems, including TCP/IP, UDP, and message-passing frameworks
  • Willingness to work in dynamic, hands-on environments, including on and near the water
  • Strong sense of ownership and bias for action

Nice to have

  • Master's degree is a plus
  • Experience working with autonomous systems, drones, or other robotic platforms is preferred
  • Familiarity with maritime environments or naval platforms is preferred
  • Ability to write basic software tools (e.g., Python, shell scripts) for hardware bring-up or test automation is preferred
  • Exposure to ruggedized or IP-rated hardware design is preferred
  • Experience in systems integration or test engineering is preferred

What the JD emphasized

  • highly hands-on and field-oriented role
  • dynamic, hands-on environments
  • thrive in real-world environments, responsible for solving open-ended problems