Manager, Perception Hardware Engineering

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 Saronic is seeking a Manager, Perception Hardware Engineering to lead the teams responsible for the design, integration, and validation of perception hardware across our autonomous surface vessels. This manager will lead engineers working on camera optomechanical systems, sensor integration, perception hardware packaging, calibration fixtures, and ruggedized hardware for harsh maritime environments. This role is accountable for both technical execution and team development. The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical and hardware engineering fundamentals with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through design, analysis, build, test, production support, and continuous improvement. Responsibilities - Manage engineers responsible for camera optomechanical systems and perception hardware integration. - Own execution across perception hardware design, sensor packaging, mounting, alignment, environmental protection, and validation. - Drive technical decisions related to cameras, radar, LiDAR, GPS, optical systems, calibration fixtures, and related mechanical/electrical interfaces. - Ensure designs meet requirements for performance, manufacturability, serviceability, reliability, shock, vibration, sealing, and thermal management. - Partner with software, autonomy, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and program teams to deliver integrated hardware on schedule. - Lead design reviews, test planning, build support, root-cause investigations, vendor engagement, and production readiness activities. - Hire, mentor, and develop engineers while raising the standard for technical rigor, documentation, and execution quality. Qualifications Required - Bachelor’s degree or greater in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field. - 5+ years of experience in mechanical, optomechanical, robotics, perception hardware, or complex hardware development. - 2+ years of experience leading engineers, projects, or technical teams. - Strong fundamentals in mechanical design, sensor integration, tolerance analysis, hardware packaging, and design for harsh environments. - Experience taking hardware from concept through design, analysis, prototype build, validation, and production support. - Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar. - Ability to communicate clearly, make sound technical decisions, and drive execution across multiple engineering disciplines. - Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Preferred - Experience with camera systems, optomechanical assemblies, radar, LiDAR, GPS, or other perception sensors. - Experience with autonomous systems, maritime systems, robotics, aerospace, defense, or other ruggedized hardware platforms. - Familiarity with optical alignment, lens selection, field-of-view constraints, environmental sealing, thermal management, and vibration isolation. - Experience with calibration fixtures, sensor mounting, production tooling, and high-rate hardware integration. - Experience supporting DoD programs, unmanned maritime systems, or regulated hardware development environments. If this role is based in the United States, it 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) https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/8/1324b. Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic inf