Full-Time
Program Manager
DoD R&D Programs
Posted on 9/24/2025
Saronic
501-1,000 employees
Develops autonomous surface vessels for military
No salary listed
No H1B Sponsorship
Washington, DC, USA
In Person
US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance, UK Citizenship Required
 Business & Strategy (1) |
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- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physics, or related technical field (Master’s or PhD preferred).
- 7–10+ years of progressive program management experience with DoD R&D, or advanced autonomy programs.
- Proven success managing multi-disciplinary teams across hardware, software, and systems integration.
- Familiarity with DoD program processes (BAAs, abstracts, orals, PI meetings, milestones, interface standards).
- Experience with OTAs and FAR-based contracts.
- Active Secret clearance (TS/SCI strongly preferred).
- Lead DoD R&D programs from award through design, prototyping, demonstration, and commercialization/transition.
- Translate DOD objectives and execute against Saronic’s awarded proposal, Statement of Work, and contract deliverables, ensuring alignment with company capabilities and national defense priorities.
- Guide teams in addressing ambiguous or evolving requirements, shaping executable solutions in high-risk/high-reward environments.
- Ensure disciplined application of systems engineering processes, including development of CONOPS, requirements deconstruction, and traceability, with a maintained Requirements Verification Traceability Matrix (RVTM) to validate contract deliverables and mission objectives.
- Develop and manage comprehensive project plans, schedules, budgets, and IMP/IMS.
- Drive iterative design and risk reduction cycles across sensing, autonomy, platforms, and effectors.
- Oversee development of resilient software and hardware systems, ensuring integration with government-defined interfaces and standards.
- Support technical demonstrations, lab and field testing, and integration with external performers.
- Manage compliance with security, classified materials handling, and OPSEC requirements.
- Leverage experience managing programs fielded through Commercial Solutions Openings and Other Transactional Authorities, as well as traditional FAR-based contracts.
- Serve as primary interface with DoD PMs, technical monitors, and transition stakeholders.
- Participate in government-led working groups and Integrated Product Teams to align on interfaces, architectures, and commercialization frameworks.
- Manage subcontractors, suppliers, and academic partners to ensure programmatic and technical performance.
- Develop and maintain program risk registers; proactively mitigate technical and programmatic risks.
- Balance allocation of resources across engineering, research, finance, and operations.
- Ensure program schedules and budgets reflect the technical rigor and iterative testing demanded by DoD programs.
- Provide detailed financial reporting and variance analysis to ensure strict adherence to cost, schedule, and technical baselines under firm-fixed-price (FFP) constraints.
- Maintain full transparency on budget execution, risk burn-down, and deliverable completion, preventing scope drift common in advanced R&D programs.
- Deliver regular reports, PMRs, QPRs, CDRLs, and stakeholder briefings to DoD and senior leadership.
- Provide transparent updates on program progress, risks, and mitigation strategies.
- Define and track key technical performance metrics aligned with DoD evaluation criteria (e.g., resilience, mission success rates, risk retirement).
- Partner with commercialization experts and internal BD teams to ensure transition strategies are embedded in program execution.
- Support development of “technology as a service” business models aligned with DoD’s emphasis on dual-use and commercial pathways.
- Contribute to proposals and capture activities, ensuring technical credibility and programmatic rigor in submissions.
- Prior direct engagement with DoD R&D PMs and performers.
- Technical experience in autonomy, AI/ML, advanced sensing, or maritime/defense systems.
- PMP or DAWIA certification.
- Experience in startups or high-growth companies delivering to DoD customers.
Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) from Saronic Technologies support naval and maritime operations. The vessels use adaptive path planning, passive sensors, edge computing, and resilient multichannel communications to identify, track targets, and coordinate manned and unmanned vessels in contested waters. The ships run onboard algorithms and can be customized and integrated to fit specific missions and CONOPs. The goal is to improve situational awareness, extend operational reach, and increase survivability in maritime engagements.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
Series D
Total Funding
$2.6B
Headquarters
Austin, Texas
Founded
2022
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Navy $392M OTA with $197M awarded in July 2025 validates production readiness through mid-2031.
- Mirage and Cipher expand addressable market with 2,000+ and 3,000+ nautical mile ranges respectively.
- Series D $1.75B funding at $9.25B valuation accelerates Port Alpha shipyard for WWII-scale production.
What critics are saying
- Anduril and Leidos compete directly with cheaper autonomous swarm vessels for Navy Replicator contracts.
- Navy budget constraints risk delaying $392M OTA deliveries beyond 2031 completion date.
- DIU prototype OTA expiration September 2025 threatens follow-on Navy contracts if performance gaps emerge.
What makes Saronic unique
- Vertically integrated hardware, software, and autonomy stack developed in-house for seamless integration.
- Modular product line from 6' Spyglass to 180' Marauder enables scalable deployment across missions.
- Open, modular software architecture enables rapid sensor and payload integration without core reengineering.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Parental Leave
401(k) Retirement Plan
Stock Options
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -6%1 year growth
↑ 0%2 year growth
↑ 0%Saronic Technologies, surface vehicles integrating cutting-edge hardware, software, and artificial intelligence into a single, scalable, fully integrated platform to enhance maritime security and domain awareness. Here you'll find information about their funding, investors and team.
Saronic Technologies has raised $1.75 billion in a Series D round led by Kleiner Perkins, valuing the Austin-based company at $9.25 billion. The autonomous maritime systems startup will use the funding to scale production of autonomous vessels for defence and commercial applications. New investors include Advent International, Bessemer Venture Partners, DFJ Growth and BAM Elevate, alongside existing backers 8VC, Caffeinated Capital and Andreessen Horowitz. Saronic is expanding its shipbuilding facilities in Louisiana and Texas whilst developing Port Alpha, a next-generation shipyard. The company aims to restore US shipbuilding capacity through autonomy-first design and modern manufacturing infrastructure. CEO Dino Mavrookas said Saronic is scaling production at a pace not seen since World War II, producing autonomous vessels to maintain maritime superiority for the US and its allies.
The US Navy has awarded Austin-based Saronic a $392 million production contract for its Corsair autonomous surface vessels, with nearly $200 million allocated immediately. The deal was announced at the Reagan National Defence Forum, where Navy Secretary John Phelan noted the programme moved from prototype to production in under a year. Corsair is a 24-foot modular autonomous vessel capable of carrying 1,000 pounds over 1,000 nautical miles at speeds exceeding 35 knots. It's designed for blue-water operations including surveillance, reconnaissance and potential offensive applications. Last week, Saronic announced a $300 million expansion of its Louisiana shipyard, adding over 300,000 square feet of production space and creating approximately 1,500 jobs. The contract reflects the Navy's push to adopt commercially derived technologies faster.
Saronic has acquired Gulf Craft, a Louisiana-based shipbuilder, to boost its autonomous shipbuilding capabilities. This acquisition provides Saronic with a strategically located shipyard on the Gulf Coast, which will be used as the prototyping and production hub for its medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) fleet. The first project is the 150-foot Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) named Marauder.
Saronic, a US defense startup, secured a $600 million Series C investment, raising its valuation to $4 billion, a fourfold increase. Led by investor Elad Gil, the round included General Catalyst, Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, and Caffeinated Capital. Saronic plans to use the funds to build the 'Port Alpha' autonomous ship production facility. The company has developed three 24-foot autonomous vessels and aims to construct larger unmanned ships. Saronic's total funding now stands at $850 million.