---
title: 'Mechanical Engineer - Perception Hardware at Saronic Technologies'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-perception-hardware-saronic-technologies-austin-rq1ayd088mqv'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-05'
---

# Mechanical Engineer - Perception Hardware at Saronic Technologies

- **Company:** [Saronic Technologies](https://feeny.ai/companies/saronic-technologies)
- **Location:** Austin, TX
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2025-12-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-05
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/saronic/71265a74-1b2e-41ab-9533-098ce455961b/application

**Skills:** 3D CAD software, Siemens NX, Unigraphics, Engineering trade studies, Tolerance stack up analysis, Hand calculations, Finite element analysis, Sensor and structure design, Mechanical systems design, Electrical systems design, Testing of integrated systems, Maritime autonomy challenges, Optical and sensor systems integration, Design and testing for shock and vibration environments, DoD program experience, Unmanned maritime systems

> The Perception Hardware Engineer integrates and develops sensing systems such as radar, camera, LiDAR, and GPS for autonomous unmanned surface vessels. This role involves collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to design, analyze, test, and validate perception hardware, ensuring robust situational awareness in ma...

## Job description

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.

Job Overview We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer - Perception Hardware to join a team that will integrate and develop the sensing and perception systems that power autonomy on our unmanned surface vessels. In this role, you will integrate and develop perception components such as radar, camera, LiDAR, GPS, and other sensors to build robust situational awareness in maritime environments into a cohesive, high performing system. This is a hands-on, high-impact role for an engineer who thrives on solving real-world problems in complex, noisy domains and wants to shape the future of naval autonomy.

## Responsibilities

- Serves as the technical expert on perception hardware and their integration on Saronic's products
- Collaborates in a multi-disciplinary team of expert engineers that specialize in perception system design, analysis, build and test
- Works closely with mechanical, optical, electrical, software, and manufacturing engineering teams to define requirements and plans for validation methods for Saronic’s perception system
- Ensures technical requirements are satisfied and product deadlines are met
- Creates and presents detailed design reviews of perception hardware development and integration
- Develops and implements analysis and testing methods for new products and their subcomponents
- Grows and maintain vendor relationships for various perception sensors
- Designs perception calibration fixtures and tooling to aid high rate production
- Provides manufacturing support for trouble shooting and resolving perception hardware issues

## Qualifications

- Required
- Bachelor’s degree or greater in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- 2+ years designing complex mechanical and electrical systems
- Strong engineering fundamentals
- Hands-on design, analysis, and testing of sensors and structures
- Proficiency with 3D CAD software (Siemens NX/Unigraphics preferred)
- Experience with engineering trade studies, tolerance stack up analysis, hand calculations, finite element analysis and testing of integrated systems
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
- Preferred
- Experience with maritime autonomy challenges such as dynamic environments, variable lighting, and low-contrast targets.
- Proven success developing, integrating, and validating optical & sensor systems on maritime or aerospace platforms
- Experience with design and testing for shock and vibration environments
- Prior experience working on DoD programs or unmanned maritime systems.
- A professional engineering license or similar professional certification

## Benefits

- Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
- Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
- Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
- Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan 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
- Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline
- Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office

Physical Demands:

- 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).

[Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees](https://saronic-assets-public.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Saronic%20CCPA%20Notice%20for%20Candidates%20and%20California%20Employees.pdf)

If this role is based in the United States, it 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 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/8/1324b.

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. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

## About Saronic Technologies

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Saronic Technologies builds autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) that combine hardware, software, and artificial intelligence to deliver scalable maritime security and domain awareness for naval forces.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series D, total funding $2.6B)
- **Headquarters**: Austin, Texas, United States
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Dino Mavrookas (CEO), Vibhav Altekar (CTO), Doug Lambert (COO), Rob Lehman (CCO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Defense and Space Manufacturing – autonomous maritime systems
- **Target customers**: U.S. and allied naval forces, government defense agencies (B2G)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “Redefine maritime superiority” by providing the most advanced and capable autonomous vessels to address emerging threats and revolutionize naval warfare.

## Products & Services
- **Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs)**: A family of unmanned vessels (including models like *Mirage*, *Cipher*, and the 150‑foot *Marauder*) designed for launch from small craft, fleet assets, or beachheads. Capabilities include adaptive path planning, passive sensor tracking, resilient multi‑channel communications, and diverse payload integration.
- **Echelon Platform**: A unified software suite for mission planning, simulation, and command‑and‑control of autonomous surface vessels.
- **Capabilities Suite**: Integrated hardware/software stack covering launch, maneuver, perceive, communicate, execute, enable, and recover.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (latest Series D at $1.8B implies a valuation well into the billions)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding $2.6B (Seed, Series A, Series B, and Series D); annual revenue reported at $9.5M
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: 8VC (Seed lead), Caffeinated Capital (Series A lead), Andreessen Horowitz (Series B lead), Kleiner Perkins (Series D lead). Strategic acquisition of Gulf Craft (April 2025) to accelerate shipbuilding.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount of 785 employees (+218.7% YoY), 296 active job postings, awarded a $392M Navy contract, international offices in Australia, United Kingdom, and Japan.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Founder experience**: Co‑founder/CEO Dino Mavrookas is a former Navy SEAL with eight combat tours; the leadership team includes veterans and technologists who understand military needs firsthand.
- **Proven technology**: Autonomous vessels already deployed in contested environments, with a $392M Navy contract validating the platform.
- **Vertical integration**: In‑house manufacturing and software development, plus the acquisition of Gulf Craft for scaled shipbuilding.
- **Rapid scaling**: Massive funding and headcount growth signal strong investor and customer confidence.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling production of ASVs from prototype to full manufacturing lines (new Head of Manufacturing hired).
- Expanding vessel lineup with larger platforms (150‑foot *Marauder*) and international partnerships in the Indo‑Pacific and Europe.
- Deepening the software ecosystem (Echelon) for mission planning and manned‑unmanned teaming.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Values include “United We Win” (teamwork, respect), “Trust Fuels Triumph” (transparency, integrity), “Solutions Driven” (creative problem‑solving), and “One Mission” (national security focus).
- **Work environment**: Primarily on‑site in Austin, TX, with additional offices in Australia, UK, and Japan. High‑growth startup pace with a mission‑driven defense focus.
- **Perks & ratings**: LinkedIn employer rating 4.2/5.0 (compensation 4.5, culture 4.0, career 4.3). Notable talent drawn from SpaceX, Tesla, Anduril, Blue Origin, and Lockheed Martin.
- **Engineering culture**: Heavy emphasis on cross‑disciplinary teams (perception, navigation, ML, C2, systems integration) and building “captainless” ships.

## Sources
1. [saronic.com](https://www.saronic.com/) – Homepage, capabilities, and news (Navy contract)
2. [saronic.com/team](https://www.saronic.com/team) – Founders, leadership, values
3. [saronic.com/mission](https://www.saronic.com/mission) – Mission statement
4. [linkedin.com/company/saronic-technologies](https://www.linkedin.com/company/saronic-technologies) – Financials, headcount, funding rounds, investors, reviews
5. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/saronic](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/saronic) – Active job postings

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