Senior Electrical Engineer - Ruggedized Computer & Networking Systems

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, Solid Works)

* 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…