Senior / Staff Robotics Security Software Engineer

Saronic; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) plan

Stock options

Parental Leave

Time Off

Dental & Vision Insurance

Free lunch

Unlimited snacks

Job summary

Saronic Technologies is seeking a Security Software Engineer to design, implement, and harden security across autonomous surface vessels. You’ll work on edge compute, vessel networks, and cloud orchestration, primarily in a Rust-first environment on NixOS-based embedded Linux.

You’ll secure boot, identity, TLS, and cryptographic services while driving vulnerability management and CI/CD security integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in security software engineering, preferably in autonomy, robotics, or embedded systems.
• Staff Engineers: 8+ years of experience in security software engineering, including architecture, cross-functional leadership, or platform ownership in autonomy, robotics, or embedded systems.
• Proficiency in C/C++ or Rust and hands-on experience securing embedded Linux systems.
• Solid understanding of cryptographic primitives and protocols (keys, certificates, TLS, mutual TLS).
• Experience with hardware security modules, secure boot, and system-level software spanning kernel and bootloader.

Responsibilities

• Edge: design and implement secure boot, hardware roots of trust, trusted execution environments, rollback protection, and secure update pipelines.
• Middleware and Mesh: implement per-vessel identity, mutual authentication, certificates, key rotation, and revocation workflows.
• Cloud Orchestration: build cryptographic services bridging vessel and cloud, harden IAM, secrets, and container workloads.
• Platform and Lifecycle: secure NixOS configurations, drive vulnerability management, and embed security into CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaboration: work with autonomy, platform security, and field teams to align with policy and standards.
• Architecture & Reviews: contribute to design docs and participate in code/design reviews.
• Automation: build reusable security tools and instrumentation using automation and AI-assisted approaches.

Skills

Rust

C/C++

Embedded security

Cryptography

Networking

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/SE

Tools

NixOS

Embedded Linux

TLS

Secure Boot

Job description

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 Security Software Engineer to design, implement, and harden the security controls across Saronic's autonomous surface vessel fleet. This role spans three layers: edge compute on the vessels themselves, the networks that enable vessels to communicate with each other and with the cloud, and the cloud orchestration layer that manages the fleet at scale. You will work hands-on in a Rust-first ecosystem, on NixOS-based embedded Linux platforms, building security features that ship into production and operate reliably in real-world maritime environments.

Responsibilities:

• Edge: Design and implement secure boot, hardware roots of trust, trusted execution environments, rollback protection, and secure update and over-the-air delivery pipelines for vessel compute

• Middleware and Mesh: Implement per-vessel identity and mutual authentication for vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-cloud links, implement certificates, key rotation, and revocation workflows, and protect message integrity against replay and spoofing across intermittent, bandwidth-constrained, and contested links (satellite, cellular, and mesh radio)

• Cloud Orchestration: Build and maintain cryptographic services bridging vessel and cloud infrastructure, and harden identity and access controls, secrets and key management, and containerized workloads

• Platform and Lifecycle: Secure NixOS configurations using Nix's declarative and reproducible model, drive vulnerability management across third-party crates and dependencies, and embed security into CI/CD pipelines from build through deployment

• Collaboration: Partner with autonomy, platform security, manufacturing, and field teams to embed security requirements from the ground up, and collaborate with the enterprise and application security teams on threat modeling, risk assessment, and incident response to ensure implemented controls align with overarching policy and standards

• Contribute to architecture and interface design documents and participate in code and design reviews to maintain high security and coding standards

• Build reusable security tools, libraries, and instrumentation across the codebase to solve hard security problems using automation and AI-assisted approaches

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.

• 3+ years of experience in security software engineering, preferably in autonomy, robotics, or embedded systems.

• Staff Engineers: 8+ years of experience in security software engineering, including architecture, cross-functional leadership, or platform ownership in autonomy, robotics, or embedded systems.

• Proficiency in programming languages such as C/C++ or Rust and hands-on experience securing embedded Linux systems

• Solid understanding of cryptographic primitives and protocols (keys, certificates, signatures, TLS, and mutual TLS) and experience integrating them into real systems

• Experience with hardware security modules, secure boot, and system-level software spanning kernel and bootloader

• Familiarity with networking protocols and IPC/message-passing frameworks

• Knowledge of DoD standards and regulations related to security software development is advantageous

• Prior work on autonomous systems is a plus

• Experience with real-time systems is a plus

• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment

• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams

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 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

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.