Mechanical Design Build Engineer

Saronic; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Saronic is seeking a Build Engineer in Austin, TX to lead build and integration for autonomous service vessels, bridging design and production to scale manufacturing. You’ll design production methods, implement automation, and ensure cohesive assembly of structures, electronics, and vessel systems.

You will collaborate across engineering disciplines, manage ECOs, support sea trials, and contribute to documentation and regulatory reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or greater in Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience working in a shipyard or onboard ships is preferred.
• Familiarity with GD&T, weld symbols, and fabrication tolerances is advantageous.
• Familiarity with maritime industry standards including ABS and coast guard regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead build and integration efforts for autonomous service vessels to move from development to full rate production.
• Design efficient production methods and integrate automation to enable scalable vessel assembly.
• Coordinate ECOs (Engineering Change Orders) and ensure traceability and verification.
• Support integration of autonomous navigation and control systems into vessel designs and perform design reviews.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or greater in Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field

Tools

Rhino

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

NX

Job description

• We are seeking a highly skilled Build Engineer to lead the build and integration effort for our maritime Autonomous Service Vessels. This highly cross functional role bridges design engineering and production teams setting up our products for success as we move from development to full rate production
• Your focus will be on building high-quality, reliable vessels at scale by designing efficient production methods, integrating automation, and ensuring seamless assembly of structures, electronics, and vessel systems
• Assist in the design, development, analysis, and construction of Autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs)
• Collaborate with other engineers to perform CAD modeling, structural/mechanical/electrical design, and weight management for vessel optimization
• Operate as liaison between engineering, drafting, and production to resolve challenges that arise during design and construction
• Identify and resolve non-conformances, lead root cause analysis, and drive resolution via IRBs (Issue Review Boards) and rework plans
• Lead and coordinate Engineering Change Orders (ECOs)—ensure traceability, communication, implementation, and verification
• Support the integration of autonomous navigation and control systems into vessel designs
• Participate in design reviews and brainstorming sessions for new and existing vessel concepts
• Support documentation, technical writing, and preparation of reports for internal use, regulatory bodies, and client presentations
• Manage CAD models to document changes made during ship construction
• Support sea-trials and at‑sea testing of ASVs as needed
• 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)

Strong knowledge with 2D and 3D CAD software (e.g., Rhino, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, NX)

Strong fundamentals in core engineering principles, including structural, mechanical, and electrical systems

Bachelor’s degree or greater in Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field

Experience working in a shipyard or onboard ships

Comfortable working in an industrial shipyard environment

Deep familiarity with interpreting technical drawings, GD&T, weld symbols, and fabrication tolerances

Familiarity with maritime industry standards including ABS and coast guard regulations

Strong communication skills across engineers, technicians, quality teams, and leadership