Senior Forward Deployed Software Engineer

Senior Forward Deployed Software Engineer role focused on deploying, integrating, and improving autonomous systems in real-world maritime environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and optimization of software for autonomy, networking, and mission execution, emphasizing robust performance in dynamic maritime conditions
• Drive field testing and deployment strategies, validating autonomy, perception, and control systems under operational conditions and proactively identifying systemic issues
• Own analysis of mission-critical performance data, turning operational insights into software changes that improve behavior, reliability, and responsiveness
• Architect and integrate new autonomy capabilities, ensuring compatibility across software, sensors, and vessel hardware with a modular, scalable design
• Partner with operators, mission planners, and end-users, converting feedback into actionable requirements and guiding evolution of the autonomy stack
• Lead incident response and root cause analysis across software, hardware, and networking layers, then implement durable fixes that improve system resilience
• Mentor and collaborate with cross-functional teams, aligning autonomy engineering with product and mission goals and improving engineering practices
• Establish and maintain technical standards, authoring deployment protocols, diagnostic tools, and documentation to support scaling across operational fleets

Requirements

• 5+ years experience developing autonomy or robotics systems, with strong software engineering foundations
• Strong programming skills in C++, Rust, Python, or similar languages, with experience in performance-critical systems
• Deep background in robotics, autonomy, or embedded systems, especially in maritime, aerospace, or defense contexts
• Working knowledge of networking protocols and distributed systems, including TCP/IP, UDP, DDS, and message-passing frameworks such as ROS and ZeroMQ
• Hands-on experience integrating perception sensors including cameras, radar, GPS, and IMUs, with emphasis on real-time sensor fusion
• Proven ability to debug and resolve complex, cross-disciplinary problems across software, hardware, networking, and autonomy behavior
• Experience adapting autonomy to real-world constraints such as variable environments, limited communications, and platform-specific limitations
• Willingness and capability to lead field deployments (up to 50%), with a track record of testing and refining autonomy in operational maritime or expeditionary settings
• Expertise in motion planning, control systems, and behavior architectures, including behavior trees and adaptive navigation algorithms
• Domain knowledge in maritime systems, naval operations, or defense technology with awareness of mission-critical operational needs
• Familiarity with distributed autonomy and multi-agent coordination, including decentralized planning and task-sharing in communication-limited settings
• Leadership in system integration, testing, and operationalization, coordinating with engineering, product, and field teams to deliver deployable systems

Technologies

• C++, Rust, Python
• TCP/IP, UDP, DDS
• ROS, ZeroMQ
• Cameras, radar, GPS, IMUs
• Behavior trees

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
• Generous PTO and Holidays
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• Competitive Salary with opportunities for performance-based bonuses
• 401(k) plan
• Equity options (Stock Options)
• Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
• Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Occasional standing and walking within the office
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment
• Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports
• 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)

Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees

• If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status
• Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits
• We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities

Location: Austin, TX (onsite) | Experience: 5+ years