Forward Deployed Hardware Engineer

NightDragon Acquisition Corp.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

Generous PTO and Holidays

Paid parental leave

401(k) retirement plan

Stock options

Life and disability insurance

Free lunch benefits

Job summary

A leading company focused on maritime operations seeks a Forward Deployed Hardware Engineer to bridge the gap between laboratory technology and real-world deployment for defense projects. This role involves integrating cutting-edge systems onto autonomous vessels, combining mechanical and electrical expertise, and requires hands-on problem-solving in dynamic environments.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in integrated electromechanical systems.
• Hands-on expertise in mechanical assembly and fabrication.
• Comfortable with dynamic, hands-on environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical and electrical integration of systems onto Autonomous Service Vessels.
• Own dockside and sea trials, including hardware installation and system validation.
• Drive design feedback into hardware product development with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Mechanical integration

Electrical integration

Rapid prototyping

System-level debugging

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechatronics

Master's degree

Tools

CAD software (SolidWorks, NX)

Basic electrical test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes)

Linux operating system

Python

Job description

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.

Job Overview:

We are seeking a versatile Forward Deployed Hardware Engineer to join our technical team. You will have a strong mechanical and electrical background and be responsible for bringing our technology from the lab to the fleet.

This is not a traditional engineering role. You will be responsible for deploying our systems into the real world, directly supporting maritime missions. You will integrate cutting-edge mechanical and electrical payloads, debug complex system-level problems, and iterate hardware designs in the field to ensure success. This is a highly hands-on and field-oriented role with time split between the lab, fabrication spaces, and the waterfront.

Responsibilities

• 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
• Lead rapid prototyping efforts to support field experimentation and platform evolution
• Perform system bring-up, integration, and troubleshooting of power, networking, sensors, and compute subsystems
• Own dockside and sea trials - prepare vessels, install new hardware packages, and perform system validation in operationally relevant environments
• Drive design-for-assembly and design-for-deployment feedback into hardware product development
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Mechanical, Electrical, Software, and Autonomy Engineers, to evolve and harden system designs
• Interface with suppliers and fabrication shops to support fast turnarounds of custom components and harnesses
• Contribute to documentation and training to support the scaling of deployment and manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field. Master's degree is a plus
• 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
• You thrive in real-world environments, responsible for solving open-ended problems
• 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

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 99% 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 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)

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).