Senior Electrical Engineer - Maritime Acoustic Sensor Systems

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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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 pipelines for multi-sensor acoustic systems.

- Experience supporting hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) or real-time signal processing systems.

- Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services

- Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care

- Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents

- Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses

- 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

- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

- Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment.

- Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies.

- Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages).