Senior Electrical Engineer – Maritime Acoustic Sensor Systems
Saronic
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. POSITION OVERVIEW Saronic Technologies is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer with expertise in maritime acoustic sensor systems to join our Electrical Engineering - Advanced Development group. This role focuses on the research, evaluation, and development of underwater acoustic sensing technologies - including sonar transducers, hydrophones, acoustic modems, and signal processing subsystems - supporting navigation, detection, and situational awareness capabilities for autonomous surface vessels. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in acoustic system design, integration, and testing within marine or defense environments, and a strong background in hardware evaluation, data analysis, and system trade studies. This position requires both analytical depth and hands-on experimentation in lab and at-sea environments. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Lead R&D initiatives in maritime acoustic sensing and underwater signal systems for autonomous vessel applications. - Evaluate and benchmark acoustic sensors and subsystems (e.g., sonar arrays, hydrophones, acoustic modems, Doppler sensors) across commercial and defense-grade offerings. - Design and execute experiments for acoustic performance testing, calibration, and environmental validation in laboratory and sea-trial conditions. - Develop and analyze trade studies comparing acoustic hardware and architectures to inform system selection, performance optimization, and integration paths. - Design and document system architectures for acoustic data acquisition, amplification, filtering, and digital conversion. - Collaborate with autonomy, software, and mechanical teams to integrate acoustic systems into vessel control and perception frameworks. - Develop and validate signal conditioning and analog front-end circuitry for low-noise, high-fidelity acoustic measurements. - Author detailed R&D documentation, including test reports, design specifications, and performance assessments. - Contribute to system safety, reliability, and environmental qualification efforts, including compliance with applicable maritime and defense standards. - Mentor junior engineers and contribute to Saronic’s acoustic sensing roadmap and experimental methodologies. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS - B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Acoustics, or related discipline. - 7+ years of experience in acoustic system design, integration, or testing - preferably in commercial marine, defense, or undersea applications. - Expertise with underwater acoustics, including sonar, hydrophones, and acoustic communication systems. - Experience in hardware benchmarking, R&D testing, and performance analysis of acoustic sensors and electronics. - Strong understanding of signal processing concepts, analog front-end design, and data acquisition systems. - Familiarity with marine environmental factors affecting acoustic propagation (temperature, salinity, depth, and noise). - Proficiency in schematic design and documentation tools (e.g., Altium, AutoCAD Electrical, or SolidWorks Electrical). - Hands-on experience with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, data loggers, acoustic test equipment). - Strong technical writing and presentation skills, with ability to produce rigorous R&D and evaluation documentation. - Comfortable working in laboratory, dockside, and sea-trial environments. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience developing or integrating active and passive sonar systems for maritime platforms. - Familiarity with acoustic transducer design, impedance matching, and waterproofing methods. - Knowledge of marine and defense standards (MIL-STD-167, MIL-STD-461, IEC 60529, etc.). - Experience with acoustic modeling software (e.g., COMSOL, MATLAB, BELLHOP, or equivalent). - Background in sensor fusion and data analysis pipel