Full-Time
Staff Forward Deployed Software Engineer
Posted on 7/30/2025
Saronic
501-1,000 employees
Develops autonomous surface vessels for military
No salary listed
Austin, TX, USA
In Person
 Software Engineering (1) |
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- Seven+ years of experience developing software for autonomous or robotic systems, with demonstrated ownership of complex, mission-critical features across multiple deployments.
- Advanced proficiency in modern systems programming languages such as C++, Rust, and Python, with a focus on architecting high-performance, maintainable software for autonomy applications.
- Deep expertise in robotics, autonomy, and embedded systems, particularly within high-consequence domains such as maritime, aerospace, or defense.
- Strong command of networking and distributed systems, including experience architecting reliable communication frameworks using TCP/IP, UDP, DDS, or ROS 2.
- Extensive hands-on experience with perception systems, integrating and calibrating sensors like cameras, radar, GPS, and IMUs for real-time autonomous decision-making.
- Proven ability to debug and resolve highly complex, cross-domain issues, from embedded firmware to autonomy stack behavior under operational conditions.
- Track record of delivering autonomy software for real-world robotic platforms, especially in uncertain, dynamic, and communication-constrained environments such as open-ocean deployments.
- Expertise in autonomous navigation concepts, including motion planning, behavior trees, hybrid autonomy, and control theory, with the ability to evaluate and improve algorithms at the systems level.
- Familiarity with distributed autonomy and multi-agent coordination, with experience designing or contributing to collaborative behaviors in fielded systems.
- Experience working at the interface of engineering and operations, translating real-world mission needs into robust, scalable technical solutions.
- Domain fluency in maritime systems, naval operations, or defense technologies, with an understanding of platform constraints, CONOPS, and operational integration.
- Leadership in field integration and system validation, including mentoring junior engineers and defining best practices for deployment, troubleshooting, and sustained autonomy performance.
- Willingness to travel (up to 50%), serving as a senior technical presence in the field to lead testing, integration, and operational support of ASV systems.
- Architect and lead the development of autonomy, networking, and mission execution software, setting technical direction and ensuring performance and reliability in real-world maritime operations
- Drive field testing campaigns, overseeing the deployment of ASV systems, leading root cause analysis of autonomy, perception, and control issues, and guiding cross-functional resolution strategies
- Lead performance analysis efforts, using data from fielded systems to inform architecture decisions and prioritize software improvements with the highest operational impact
- Own the integration of new autonomy capabilities, ensuring system-wide compatibility and defining interfaces between software, sensing, and hardware subsystems
- Serve as a technical liaison with operators and mission stakeholders, translating operational feedback into actionable technical requirements and shaping roadmap priorities
- Guide the resolution of complex field issues, drawing from expertise across software, hardware, and networking layers to improve system robustness and deployment readiness
- Mentor and influence engineering teams, facilitating cross-functional collaboration across autonomy, hardware, and field operations to align technical execution with product goals
- Define and codify engineering best practices, creating reusable tools, documentation, and scalable workflows to support long-term system maintainability and operational reliability
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.