Principal Mechanical Engineer

Position Overview

Saronic is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to provide senior technical leadership across the mechanical engineering organization. This role reports to the Director of Mechanical Engineering and will work across four core areas: Perception Hardware, Marine Engineering, Mechanical Integration, and Structures.

This engineer will be accountable for helping teams solve high-priority mechanical engineering problems, make sound technical decisions, and deliver reliable hardware for autonomous surface vessels operating in harsh maritime environments. The ideal candidate has broad mechanical depth, strong first-principles judgment, and the ability to move quickly between design, analysis, integration, test, and production support.

Responsibilities

• Lead resolution of complex mechanical engineering issues across perception hardware, marine systems, vehicle integration, and structures.
• Provide technical direction during design reviews, program reviews, trade studies, root-cause investigations, and build/test activities.
• Drive sound engineering decisions across mechanical architecture, subsystem packaging, structural design, marine auxiliary systems, and sensor integration.
• Review and improve designs, analyses, drawings, test plans, and validation strategies to ensure technical rigor and execution quality.
• Partner with mechanical, electrical, perception, manufacturing, and program teams to deliver hardware that is manufacturable, serviceable, reliable, and production ready.
• Mentor engineers and raise the standard for mechanical design practices, analysis methods, documentation, and cross-functional execution.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or greater in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Marine Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience in complex hardware development.
• Strong fundamentals in mechanical design, structural analysis, materials, tolerance analysis, manufacturability, and system integration.
• Experience supporting hardware through concept, design, analysis, prototype build, test, and production.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar.
• Experience with hand calculations, FEA, design reviews, engineering drawings, and root-cause analysis.
• Ability to communicate clearly, make decisions with incomplete information, and lead technical execution across multiple teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Preferred

• Experience with autonomous systems, maritime systems, robotics, aerospace, defense, or other harsh-environment hardware platforms.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: perception hardware, optomechanical systems, marine auxiliary systems, mechanical integration, electronics packaging, or structures.
• Familiarity with shock, vibration, corrosion, environmental sealing, thermal management, fatigue, and serviceability considerations.
• Experience with ASME Y14.5, GD&T, Femap, ANSYS, CFD, thermal tools, or production release processes.
• Prior experience on DoD programs or unmanned maritime systems.
• Professional Engineer license or similar professional certification.

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