Senior Electrical Engineer – Electro-Optical & Infrared (EO/IR) 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 Saronic Technologies is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer with deep experience in electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) camera systems to join our Electrical Engineering - Advanced Development group. This position focuses on research, evaluation, and integration of imaging and sensing systems - including visible, thermal, and multispectral cameras - that support autonomous vessel perception, situational awareness, and target tracking. The ideal candidate will lead efforts in system benchmarking, performance analysis, and trade study development for EO/IR technologies across multiple market offerings. This role combines hands-on testing, technical analysis, and system-level design to shape Saronic’s next generation of perception capabilities. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Lead R&D efforts related to electro-optical and infrared imaging systems for autonomous maritime platforms. - Research, evaluate, and benchmark commercial and defense-grade EO/IR camera systems, gimbals, and sensor modules under laboratory and field conditions. - Develop and execute trade studies comparing performance, cost, reliability, and integration complexity across multiple market options. - Design and validate electrical interfaces and integration pathways between EO/IR systems and onboard compute, storage, and autonomy networks. - Conduct performance testing including resolution, sensitivity (NETD), dynamic range, stabilization, and environmental endurance. - Collaborate cross-functionally with autonomy, software, and mechanical teams to integrate EO/IR data into vessel perception and situational awareness pipelines. - Prototype and field-test camera system installations, including power distribution, data acquisition, and network integration. - Author detailed R&D documentation, including benchmarking reports, design specifications, and integration guidelines. - Stay current with emerging technologies in imaging sensors, optics, image stabilization, and AI-enabled perception systems. - Mentor junior engineers and help define internal best practices for optical system evaluation and selection. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS - B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Optoelectronics, or related field. - 7+ years of experience in electrical or related engineering with a focus on EO/IR imaging or sensing systems. - Proven expertise in camera system integration, including power, data, and control interfaces. - Experience conducting R&D evaluations, trade studies, and comparative testing of sensor systems. - Solid understanding of optical and infrared imaging principles - resolution, FOV, sensitivity, dynamic range, and spectral response. - Hands-on experience with digital video interfaces and standards (GigE Vision, MIPI, USB3 Vision, SDI, Camera Link, etc.). - Familiarity with thermal camera technologies, including cooled and uncooled detectors (LWIR, MWIR, SWIR). - Experience with mechanical and electrical integration of EO/IR systems into ruggedized or mobile platforms. - Strong documentation, data analysis, and presentation skills. - Comfortable working in lab, dockside, and field-test environments for camera calibration and evaluation. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Background in maritime, aerospace, or defense sensor systems development. - Familiarity with AI/ML-based image processing and data fusion for autonomous perception. - Experience with environmental qualification and compliance testing (MIL-STD-810, DO-160, IEC 60945). - Knowledge of optical system alignment, lens calibration, and stabilization systems. - Experience integrating EO/IR systems into networked computing environments (Ethernet/IP, TSN, or deterministic networking). - Proficiency with data analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, or similar platforms for sensor performance evaluation.