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Saronic Technologies, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Austin, TX, is developing autonomous surface vessels for maritime defense. This Manufacturing Engineer role is responsible for defining and executing the paint and coatings plan for each vessel program, ensuring long-term hull integrity and regulatory compliance.
Key Responsibilities:
Coatings Planning: Develop comprehensive paint and coatings plans for each vessel program, specifying coating systems, surface preparation methods, and application sequences. Coordinate coating work timing against fabrication, outfitting, and erection schedules to ensure blasting and painting occur at optimal build stages. Define environmental control requirements, surface prep standards (SSPC-SP grades, NACE standards), and establish inspection hold points and acceptance criteria.
Outsourced Contractor Qualification: Establish and maintain qualification standards for external coatings contractors, requiring SSPC-QP1 certification for field application and SSPC-QP3 for shop/fabrication work. Build and manage the evaluation, audit, and onboarding process for the approved vendor base, including lifecycle management with renewals, re-audits, and corrective actions.
Internal Capability Development: Define and execute the path to develop internal coatings expertise, including training and certification roadmaps for personnel to achieve SSPC-QP1 and NACE coatings inspector credentials. Identify internal candidates, structure on-the-job training and mentorship, and coordinate external training and exam requirements.
Documentation & Continuous Improvement: Maintain comprehensive documentation, qualification records, and audit trails for classification and regulatory review. Refine coatings plans and qualification programs based on floor performance and inspection results. Identify and resolve sequencing conflicts between coatings work and other trades.
Success is measured by: coating systems applied at the correct build stage without rework, consistent contractor compliance with SSPC standards, steady growth of internal coatings capability, early detection of coating failures, and complete documentation supporting regulatory review.
Requirements:
- Hands-on experience in marine or industrial coatings (applicator, inspector, coatings/corrosion engineer) or equivalent planning experience built on trade background
- Understanding of coating systems and surface prep standards (SSPC-SP grades, NACE standards) and application methods
- Working knowledge of SSPC-QP1 and SSPC-QP3 contractor certification standards
- Understanding of requirements for individuals to become SSPC-QP1 or NACE coatings inspector certified
- Strong written communication skills for coatings specifications and audit documentation
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in new construction shipbuilding, industrial/marine repair, or heavy fabrication coatings
- NACE or SSPC certification, or active pursuit of one
- Experience building contractor qualification, audit, and vendor management processes
- Familiarity with ABS, USCG, or NAVSEA coatings requirements and documentation
- Technical/trade school, associate's, or bachelor's degree in coatings technology, materials/corrosion engineering, or related field
