Job Requirements

We are seeking a talented Propulsion and Auxiliary Systems Engineer to join our team. In this role you will be responsible for analysis, design, and production support of fluid, power, and thrust-generating unmanned surface vessel systems. This includes owning system architecture, machinery arrangement, mechanical details, components election and procurement, and ensuring the overall success of your systems from concept to production build support. You’ll be working closely with design, arrangement and integration of prime movers, machinery, drivetrains, thrusters, pumps, valves, fans, sensors, tanks, and other components integral to the vessel's autonomous mechanical systems. Your work will ensure the system's efficiency, safety, and reliability, with a specific focus on the below-deck systems critical to the operation of our autonomous surface vessels.  

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture, arrangement, and detailed design of propulsion and auxiliary systems for autonomous surface vessels. 
• Develop analysis tools and models to characterize and validate system architectures, ensuring design satisfies all criteria and understanding the trades within system designs.  
• Release and own drawings and support production teams, capturing and addressing issues quickly to minimize production downtime. 
• Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to integrate propulsion and auxiliary systems into the broader autonomous vessel design. 
• With the test team, develop and execute test campaigns to validate propulsion and auxiliary system requirements, ensuring they meet mission-specific performance standards under a range of operating environment conditions, vehicle speeds and loading conditions. 
• Support the development of propulsion and auxiliary system autonomy by defining nominal and fault states of components through failure mode analysis, and building dynamic system models with Simulink, or similar tools.  
• Analyze controlled and real-world telemetry data to identify inefficiencies or potential system failures and develop corrective solutions to improve system reliability and performance. 
• Participate in field testing and real-world operational assessments. 
• Work with production to continuously improve product reliability, efficiency and performance by identifying and implementing innovative solutions, best practices, and process improvements. 
• Own and burn down propulsion and auxiliary system-related engineering and production risks. Perform root-cause analyses to understand and resolve critical issues quickly and effectively. 
• Provide subject matter expertise to the mechanical engineering and production teams, offering continuous support across programs, helping derive and refine system requirements, educating and training engineers and technicians about propulsions systems. 

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)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or greater in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, or a related field with a strong foundation in fluid mechanics. 
• 2+ years of experience in the design, analysis, and build of integrated fluid and/or mechanical power systems. 
• Experience or strong familiarity with diesel powertrain architecture, fuel, oil, and coolant systems, ventilation and HVAC systems, hydraulics, and/or other fluid and power systems. 
• Experience with analysis and modeling of piping system flow, powertrain performance, cooling system performance, ventilation loads, and more. 
• As a plus, experience using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software (e.g., STARCCM, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, COMSOL) to simulate fluid flow and optimize system performance. In particular, conjugate heat transfer and hydrodynamic models. 
• As a plus, experience with industrial automation and controls.

• 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

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.