Mechanical Engineer - Forward Deployed

Frontdoor Defense; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Saronic Technologies is seeking a Forward Deployed Mechanical Engineer to lead the deployment of mechanical systems on autonomous maritime platforms from lab to fleet. You will split time between lab, fabrication spaces, and waterfront, bringing technology into real-world operations.

The role emphasizes hands-on work, system integration, and field debugging to ensure successful mission-ready deployments in dynamic maritime environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field; master's preferred.
• 3+ years experience with integrated mechanical/electromechanical systems.
• Hands-on assembly and fabrication (CNC, sheet metal, 3D printing).
• Rapid prototyping and system-level debugging experience.
• FEA proficiency to validate parts and mounts, know when to hand-calc.
• Electrical enclosure design with thermal management and IP67+.
• Marine materials and corrosion knowledge.
• Sensor/payload mounts for ruggedized environments.
• CAD proficiency (SolidWorks/NX) and field integration setup.
• Linux-based systems experience.
• Willingness to work near water; ownership mindset.
• Autonomous systems or drones experience preferred.
• Maritime environment familiarity; ruggedized design exposure.

Responsibilities

• Design systems for mechanical integration on ASVs and maritime platforms.
• Lead rapid prototyping for field experiments and platform evolution.
• Perform bring-up, integration, and troubleshooting of subsystems.
• Own dockside and sea trials; install hardware and validate in envs.
• Drive design-for-assembly and deployment feedback into product development.
• Collaborate with Electrical, Software, and Autonomy teams.
• Interface with suppliers and fabrication shops for fast turnarounds.
• Contribute to documentation and training for deployment scaling.

Skills

Mechanical design

Field deployment

Rapid prototyping

System debugging

Electrical enclosure design

Marine materials knowledge

Sensor mounts design

CAD proficiency

Linux familiarity

Autonomy experience

Drones/robotic platforms

Ruggedized hardware design

Ownership & initiative

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field

Master's degree is a plus

Tools

FEA

SolidWorks

NX

Linux

Job description

Mechanical Engineer - Forward Deployed

Lead the deployment of mechanical systems on autonomous maritime platforms from lab to fleet

Location: San Diego, California Austin, Texas

About The Role

Forward Deployed Mechanical Engineer

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.

Job Overview

We are seeking a versatile Forward Deployed Mechanical Engineer to join our technical team. You will have a strong mechanical 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 mechanical 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

• Design systems to support mechanical integration of novel systems and payloads onto our Autonomous Service Vessels (ASVs) and maritime platforms
• Lead rapid prototyping efforts (mechanical) to support field experimentation and platform evolution
• Perform mechanical bring-up, integration, and troubleshooting of structural, sensor-mount, and payload subsystems
• Own dockside and sea trials — prepare vessels, install new mechanical hardware packages, and perform system validation in operationally relevant environments
• Drive design-for-assembly and design-for-deployment feedback into mechanical product development
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Electrical, Software, and Autonomy Engineers, to evolve and harden system designs
• Interface with suppliers and fabrication shops to support fast turnarounds of custom mechanical components
• Contribute to documentation and training to support the scaling of deployment and manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field. Master's degree is a plus
• 3+ years of experience working on integrated mechanical/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 rapid prototyping and system-level debugging
• Proficiency with FEA (static, modal/vibration, and shock) to validate designed parts and mounts, and the judgment to know when hand calcs are enough
• Experience designing electrical enclosures and housings with thermal management and ingress protection (IP67+, sealing, venting, connector selection)
• Strong understanding of materials and corrosion in marine environments, including dissimilar-metal isolation, coatings, and fastener selection
• Experience designing sensor and payload mounts for ruggedized environments, including structural brackets, masts, and isolators
• Comfort working with CAD (SolidWorks, NX, or similar) and field integration setups
• Experience working with a Linux-based operating system
• Willingness to work in dynamic, hands-on environments, including on and near the water
• Strong sense of ownership and bias for action; thrives solving open-ended problems in real-world environments
• Experience with autonomous systems, drones, or other robotic platforms preferred
• Familiarity with maritime environments or naval platforms preferred
• Exposure to ruggedized or IP-rated hardware design preferred

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)

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 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 with company match

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 CCAA Notice for Candidates and California Employees

If this role is based in the United States, it 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. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.