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Senior Electrical Engineer - Maritime Acoustic Sensor Systems
Saronic Technologies
Other Engineering
Austin, TX, USA
Posted on Nov 14, 2025
Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing defense autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations for the Department of Defense (DoD) through autonomous and intelligent platforms.
Position Overview
Saronic Technologies is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer with expertise in maritime acoustic sensor systems to join our Electrical Engineering - Advanced Development group.
This role focuses on the research, evaluation, and development of underwater acoustic sensing technologies - including sonar transducers, hydrophones, acoustic modems, and signal processing subsystems - supporting navigation, detection, and situational awareness capabilities for autonomous surface vessels.
The ideal candidate has extensive experience in acoustic system design, integration, and testing within marine or defense environments, and a strong background in hardware evaluation, data analysis, and system trade studies. This position requires both analytical depth and hands-on experimentation in lab and at-sea environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead R&D initiatives in maritime acoustic sensing and underwater signal systems for autonomous vessel applications.
- Evaluate and benchmark acoustic sensors and subsystems (e.g., sonar arrays, hydrophones, acoustic modems, Doppler sensors) across commercial and defense-grade offerings.
- Design and execute experiments for acoustic performance testing, calibration, and environmental validation in laboratory and sea-trial conditions.
- Develop and analyze trade studies comparing acoustic hardware and architectures to inform system selection, performance optimization, and integration paths.
- Design and document system architectures for acoustic data acquisition, amplification, filtering, and digital conversion.
- Collaborate with autonomy, software, and mechanical teams to integrate acoustic systems into vessel control and perception frameworks.
- Develop and validate signal conditioning and analog front-end circuitry for low-noise, high-fidelity acoustic measurements.
- Author detailed R&D documentation, including test reports, design specifications, and performance assessments.
- Contribute to system safety, reliability, and environmental qualification efforts, including compliance with applicable maritime and defense standards.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to Saronic’s acoustic sensing roadmap and experimental methodologies.
Required Qualifications
- B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Acoustics, or related discipline.
- 7+ years of experience in acoustic system design, integration, or testing - preferably in commercial marine, defense, or undersea applications.
- Expertise with underwater acoustics, including sonar, hydrophones, and acoustic communication systems.
- Experience in hardware benchmarking, R&D testing, and performance analysis of acoustic sensors and electronics.
- Strong understanding of signal processing concepts, analog front-end design, and data acquisition systems.
- Familiarity with marine environmental factors affecting acoustic propagation (temperature, salinity, depth, and noise).
- Proficiency in schematic design and documentation tools (e.g., Altium, AutoCAD Electrical, or SolidWorks Electrical).
- Hands-on experience with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, data loggers, acoustic test equipment).
- Strong technical writing and presentation skills, with ability to produce rigorous R&D and evaluation documentation.
- Comfortable working in laboratory, dockside, and sea-trial environments.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing or integrating active and passive sonar systems for maritime platforms.
- Familiarity with acoustic transducer design, impedance matching, and waterproofing methods.
- Knowledge of marine and defense standards (MIL-STD-167, MIL-STD-461, IEC 60529, etc.).
- Experience with acoustic modeling software (e.g., COMSOL, MATLAB, BELLHOP, or equivalent).
- Background in sensor fusion and data analysis pipelines for multi-sensor acoustic systems.
- Experience supporting hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) or real-time signal processing systems.
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.