Naval Architect – Commercial Vessels
About this role
Saronic Technologies is hiring a Naval Architect – Commercial Vessels, full-time, on-site in Austin, TX, in the Electric Marine sector.
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.
Job Overview
We are seeking talented and motivated Naval Architects to assist in developing autonomous commercial vessel designs from concept to production (Containerships, Roll-on/Roll-off, Tankers, Bulk Carrier, or other types of commercial vessels). This role will provide hands-on experience in traditional naval architecture and advanced autonomous technologies, driving impact in shipping and maritime innovation.
Responsibilities
Conduct one or more of the following tasks with a high level of proficiency:
Hull form development and optimization.
Resistance, power and speed predictions.
Functional design and general arrangement development.
Stability analysis and loading manuals (IMO and USCG requirements).
Hydrodynamic analysis (hydrodynamic properties, seakeeping, motions and accelerations).
Propulsion and powerplant (conventional and non-conventional).
Ship systems design (specifications, arrangement, P&ID’s).
Global ship structural design (hull girder strength and global loads, fatigue and service life assessment).
Local ship structural design (cargo holds, hatch covers, top-side structures, general outfitting).
Prepare regulatory submissions according to USA-flag and international maritime regulations (USCG, IMO conventions, ABS, LR, DNV…etc.).
Collaborate with other engineers to support CAD modeling, weight management, and the integration of autonomous navigation and control systems into vessel designs.
Participate in design reviews and brainstorming sessions for new and existing vessel concepts.
Support documentation, technical writing, and preparation of reports for internal use and client presentations.
Research and stay updated on new developments in naval architecture, autonomous technology, and commercial shipping trends and innovation.
Qualifications
Must be a “U.S. Person”: U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or a related field.
Ability to work at speed and support quick turnaround trade studies, highly attentive to schedule-driven design freezes.
Clear communicator with both engineering and non-engineering stakeholders.
Strong fundamentals in core naval architecture principles and proficiency with industry-standard tools, including one or more of the following:
Hull form and hydrostatics (e.g., Rhino3D, Orca3D)
Hydrodynamics and seakeeping (e.g., Proteus DS / ShipMo3D, StarCCM+, Simerics)
Stability and load case analysis tools (e.g. GHS)
Structural analysis FEA and FEM interfaces (e.g. FEMAP)
Systems and structures drawing tools (e.g. AutoCAD, Siemens NX)
Working knowledge with energy efficiency measures (EEDI/EEXI, CII, hull optimization, hybrid power, alternative fuels, wind-assist)
Senior Naval Architect: 5+ years of experience.
Staff Naval Architect: 15+ years of experience.
Benefits
Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
Saronic pays 100% 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
Physical Requirements
Mobility and Movement: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (e.g., 4–8 hours/day), climb stairs or ladders occasionally (if accessing elevated workspaces), bend, stoop, kneel, or crouch as needed during inspections or audits
Manual Dexterity: Ability to manipulate small parts and tools during product inspections. Ability to use precision measuring instruments (e.g., calipers, micrometers)
Lifting and Carrying: Ability to lift and carry up to 25–50 pounds occasionally (e.g., sample materials, equipment). Ability to push or pull carts or equipment as needed
Visual and Auditory Requirements: Must have strong visual acuity (close vision, color vision, depth perception) to inspect products and read technical documents. Ability to detect subtle differences in materials, surface finish, or defects. Adequate hearing ability to respond to alarms, machine sounds, or communicate in noisy environments
Environmental Conditions: Ability to work in manufacturing, warehouse, or cleanroom environments (may include exposure to dust, noise, or temperature variations). May require wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety glasses, ear protection, or lab coats
Technology Use: Comfortable working at a computer workstation for extended periods (for report writing, data analysis, and documentation)
Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees
Description from Saronic Technologies's official posting. Always confirm details on the company careers page.
About Saronic Technologies
Saronic Technologies
Autonomous surface vessel company building defense maritime platforms. Austin, TX.
Not the one? Get new Electric Marine roles by email, weekday mornings, only when something new lands.
About Larry Sherwood Jr.
Talent Acquisition Leader specializing in mobility, EV, and frontier tech. 1,000+ hires across roles ranging from production technicians to VPs, including 48 hires for the AFEELA U.S. launch at Sony Honda Mobility (98% offer acceptance, $1.5M+ agency savings). SHRM-CP certified. Build recruiting functions from scratch, no agencies.
Currently open to senior TA leadership roles in the United States. larrysherwoodjr.com · Resume (PDF)
Read Larry's guides →Curated by Larry Sherwood Jr. on the free Mobility Jobs board. Pulled nightly from company applicant tracking systems. Apply directly on the source link above to be considered.