Systems Software Engineer (Generalist)

Saronic; San Diego, Austin (CA, TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Saronic is looking for experienced Systems Software Engineers to develop software that powers autonomous maritime systems in San Diego, California. You'll work on a wide range of responsibilities including designing, developing, and maintaining software across various systems while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of software engineering experience, particularly with C++ and Linux environments. This position also offers a vibrant work culture with opportunities to improve engineering processes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Strong proficiency in one or more programming languages for system interaction.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure, backend services, and deployment pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain software for autonomous vehicle systems.
• Optimize software performance and reliability in mission-critical environments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams.

Skills

C++

Rust

Go

Python

Embedded Linux

Distributed systems

Robotics

Cloud infrastructure

Job description

Role Overview

We are seeking experienced Systems Software Engineers to develop software that powers autonomous maritime systems. This role sits at the intersection of software, hardware, robotics, and distributed systems, requiring engineers who are comfortable working across the full stack of autonomous vehicle development—from low-level hardware interfaces and embedded systems to backend services, infrastructure, and mission‑critical applications.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain software for autonomous vehicle systems and supporting infrastructure
• Build reliable, scalable, and maintainable software solutions across embedded, systems, and application layers
• Develop software that interfaces with sensors, actuators, networking equipment, and onboard compute systems
• Collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, autonomy, perception, and field engineering teams
• Optimize software performance, reliability, observability, and fault tolerance in mission‑critical environments
• Design and implement distributed services, communication frameworks, and data pipelines supporting autonomous operations
• Participate in architecture discussions and technical decision‑making across software and systems domains
• Support testing, validation, deployment, and troubleshooting of software in both laboratory and field environments
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of engineering processes, tooling, and development practices

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate brings strong software engineering fundamentals and has experience developing systems that interact with real‑world hardware, robotics platforms, autonomous systems, or other complex cyber‑physical environments. Strong understanding of Linux‑based development environments.

• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience
• C++
• Strong proficiency in one or more of:
• Experience developing software for systems that interact with physical hardware
• Rust
• Experience with software architecture, debugging, testing, and performance optimization
• Ability to operate effectively in cross‑functional engineering environments
• Experience working on complex distributed, real‑time, embedded, robotics, autonomy, aerospace, defense, maritime, automotive, industrial automation, or similar systems
• Go
• Python
• Experience with embedded Linux, RTOS, device drivers, or hardware communication protocols
• Experience with robotics, autonomous systems, UAVs, UGVs, USVs, or maritime platforms
• Experience with networking, distributed systems, middleware, or communication frameworks
• Experience with cloud infrastructure, backend services, and deployment pipelines
• Familiarity with ROS/ROS2 or similar robotics frameworks
• Experience integrating software with sensors, controls, or electromechanical systems
• Experience supporting field testing and operational deployments
• Exposure to defense, aerospace, maritime, or other mission‑critical environments

Aerospace or Defense Software Development and Autonomous Systems Engineering successful candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds, including: Platform Engineering, Embedded Software Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Systems Software Engineering, Backend Software Engineering, Infrastructure Engineering.

Physical Requirements

• Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment
• Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages)
• Occasional standing and walking within the office
• Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer