Manager - Special Programs

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. Saronic Special Programs is a small pathfinding team chartered to rapidly prototype new ideas. Special Programs is responsible for generating new ideas, building and testing physical prototypes, and validating future products which continue Saronic's mission to redefine maritime superiority. JOB OVERVIEW We are seeking a Special Programs Manager to serve as the administrative and operational backbone of our team. You will be responsible for keeping projects on track, managing resources and budgets, and creating the conditions for a small, talented group of engineers to move quickly. While this is not a hands-on engineering role, you will provide high-level technical direction during prototype reviews and partner closely with the VP of Product and CTO to evaluate and shape the next wave of ideas the team will pursue. RESPONSIBILITIES - Provide day-to-day administrative management of the Special Programs team, including scheduling, staffing, budgets, procurement, vendor coordination, and progress reporting. - Plan and track prototype builds, field testing, and demonstrations, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and resources stay aligned across electrical, mechanical, and software contributors. - Offer focused technical input during design reviews and prototype check-ins — enough to challenge assumptions, unblock the team, and translate progress to non-engineering stakeholders - Collaborate directly with the VP of Product and the CTO to surface, scope, and prioritize new ideas the team should consider pursuing, and keep Special Programs work synchronized with the broader product roadmap - Represent Special Programs internally to functions such as Growth, Finance, and Engineering, and externally as needed to suppliers and Government or commercial customers. QUALIFICATIONS - Experience managing small, fast-moving engineering or R&D teams, ideally in robotics, aerospace, defense, or another hardware-intensive environment - Working technical literacy across some combination of autonomy, embedded systems, robotics, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering — enough to lead substantive conversations with engineers without being the deepest expert in the room - Demonstrated ability to plan and execute against budgets, schedules, and resource constraints with limited overhead - Comfort partnering with senior technical and product leaders to evaluate new opportunities and translate ambiguous ideas into structured plans - Experience supporting prototype hardware development, field testing, or Government demonstrations is strongly preferred - Familiarity with defense acquisition, export controls, or classified program management is a plus - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to keep cross-functional stakeholders aligned - High emotional intelligence, with the ability to keep teammates aligned - Strong organizational instincts and a bias toward action in ambiguous, low-process environments - Bachelors degree in engineering, or equivalent professional experience - Comfort operating with high uncertainty, minimal resources, compressed timelines, and aggressive goals and schedules PHYSICAL DEMANDS - Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. - Occasional standing and walking within the office, lab, and prototype spaces. - 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). - Occasional travel to field test sites and Government demonstrations. BENEFITS - Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans cov