Mechanical Engineer, Fluid & Propulsion Systems

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.

Position Overview:
We are seeking a talented Mechanical Engineer, Fluids and Propulsion Systems to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for owning fluid and propulsion systems from cradle to production, for our autonomous surface vessels. This includes architecting and sizing fuel, oil, coolant, and other fluid systems, performing powerplant trade studies, pipe/tube routing, and mechanical integration of fluid systems. You will be sizing, selecting, and integrating pumps, valves, fittings, thrusters, gearboxes, shafting, or other components integral to the vessel's propulsion and power generation. Your work will ensure the system's efficiency, safety, and reliability, with a specific focus on fluid interactions and propulsion performance in marine environments.

Responsibilities:
• Conceptualize and design fluid or marine powertrain systems
• Perform analyses and trades to optimize fluid flow paths and mechanical system design for efficiency, pressure losses, mechanical losses, and reliability in varying marine environments.
• Develop models and simulations as necessary, to characterize and validate system architectures, ensuring performance, efficiency, size and other operational parameters.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to integrate fluid-based propulsion systems into the broader autonomous vessel design.
• Develop and execute test campaigns to validate system requirements, ensuring they meet mission-specific performance standards under a range of operating environment conditions, vehicle speeds and loading conditions.
• Analyze test data to identify inefficiencies or potential system failures and develop corrective solutions to improve system reliability and performance.
• Participate in field testing and real-world operational assessments to refine and optimize systems.
• Develop and utilize analysis tools such as flow and pressure loss, heat transfer, power transmission losses, engine performance models, and more to characterize system performance
• Work with production to continuously improve product reliability, efficiency and performance by identifying and implementing innovative solutions, best practices, and process improvements.
• Own and burn down system-related engineering and production risks. Perform root-cause analyses to understand and resolve critical issues quickly and effectively.
• Provide subject matter expertise to the Mechanical Engineering and Production teams, offering continuous support across programs, helping derive and refine system requirements, educating and training engineers and technicians about propulsions systems.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, or a related field with a strong foundation in fluid mechanics.
• 3+ years of experience in the design, analysis, and optimization of fluid power systems, especially within marine propulsion or energy systems.
• Experience with analysis and modeling, including, power transmission, and internal/external fluid flow.
• Experience using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software (e.g., STARCCM, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, COMSOL) to simulate fluid flow and optimize system performance is a plus.
• Strong understanding of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and energy conversion in relation to propulsion systems.
• Experience designing and testing fluids and propulsion systems, including pumps, valves, fittings, instrumentation, bearings, fluid and power transmission components

Benefits:
• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
• Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
• Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
• Saronic pays 99% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
• Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays
• Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents
• Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan
• 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

This role requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)

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.