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Saronic Technologies is seeking a Senior Forward Deployed Software Engineer to lead the integration, deployment, and optimization of autonomous surface vessels for maritime defense. This role bridges cutting-edge autonomy technology with real-world operational impact, requiring hands-on involvement in field testing, system debugging, and continuous refinement based on mission data.
You will own the full lifecycle of autonomy software systems—from architecture and integration through field deployment and operational optimization. Key responsibilities include designing and optimizing advanced software for autonomy, networking, and mission execution in dynamic maritime environments; driving field testing and deployment strategies; analyzing mission-critical performance data to inform software improvements; architecting new autonomy capabilities across software, sensors, and vessel hardware; partnering directly with operators and end-users to translate feedback into requirements; leading incident response and root cause analysis across software, hardware, and networking layers; mentoring cross-functional teams; and establishing technical standards and deployment protocols.
This is a hybrid role with significant field deployment (up to 50%), requiring comfort with unpredictable schedules driven by demos, weather, and mission needs. You will work on the front lines of maritime autonomy, ensuring systems operate reliably in real operational contexts. The role emphasizes solving integration and deployment challenges where things don't always go as planned, and translating loosely defined customer needs into practical, code-based solutions.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5+ years developing autonomy or robotics systems with strong software engineering foundation
- Proficient in C++, Rust, Python, or similar languages for performance-critical systems
- Deep technical background in robotics, autonomy, or embedded systems, preferably in maritime, aerospace, or defense sectors
- Strong understanding of networking protocols and distributed systems (TCP/IP, UDP, DDS, ROS, ZeroMQ)
- Extensive hands-on experience integrating perception sensors (cameras, radar, GPS, IMUs) with real-time sensor fusion
- Proven ability to debug complex cross-disciplinary issues spanning software, hardware, networking, and autonomy behavior
- Experience adapting autonomy systems to real-world constraints (variable environments, limited communications, platform-specific limitations)
- Willingness and capability to lead field deployments (up to 50%) with history of testing autonomous systems in operational maritime or expeditionary contexts
- Expertise in motion planning, control systems, and behavior architectures (behavior trees, adaptive navigation)
- Domain knowledge in maritime systems, naval operations, or defense technology
- Familiarity with distributed autonomy and multi-agent coordination in communication-limited settings
- Leadership in system integration, testing, and operationalization across engineering, product, and field teams
- U.S. Person status required (U.S. citizen, green card holder, or protected asylee/refugee)
