Operations Specialist, Forward Deployed Engineering at Saronic

Austin, Texas, United States

Saronic Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Mid-level (3 to 4 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Technology, DefenseIndustries

Requirements

  • 3+ years of experience in operations, project coordination, or engineering program management in robotics, aerospace, defense, or a similar field
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, or a related field
  • Experience managing schedules, budgets, and component delivery timelines in a hardware and software environment
  • Proven experience supporting multi-disciplinary teams in fast-paced, field-driven contexts
  • Familiarity with running or supporting design reviews, managing requirements traceability, and coordinating subsystem development efforts
  • Proficient in project management tools (e.g., Monday, Coda, MS Excel, or equivalent)
  • Detail-oriented, with a systems-level mindset, and the ability to manage technical documentation and execution workflows
  • Excellent communicator and able to translate between technical teams, external partners, and operational stakeholders
  • Self-starter with a strong bias toward ownership and a pragmatic, get-things-done attitude
  • Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite), MRP systems (e.g., ION), and BOM management tools (e.g., Arena)
  • Familiarity with U.S. defense contracting, DoD logistics, and proposal/IRAD tracking is preferred

Responsibilities

  • Own and manage project schedules, deliverables, and cross-functional milestones for FDE-led initiatives
  • Support the definition, documentation, and tracking of technical requirements and system capabilities
  • Run and coordinate structured design reviews to capture decisions and ensure alignment with engineering and product roadmaps
  • Track and manage FDE-related budgets, vendor contracts, and spend against plan
  • Monitor risks, resourcing constraints, and execution dependencies across fielded projects
  • Maintain accurate documentation of Bill of Materials (BOMs), procurement timelines, and key component delivery schedules
  • Drive the day-to-day operational rhythm of the FDE team
  • Drive logistics and coordination for field operations, customer demos, internal tests, and deployments
  • Ensure centralized visibility into team activities via dashboards and regular reporting on deliverables and resource utilization
  • Collaborate with engineering, product, legal, and compliance teams to ensure alignment on FDE goals and execution timelines
  • Serve as a trusted liaison between the FDE team and internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear, timely communication and follow-through
  • Support scaling the team to an international footprint
  • Partner with the FDE Manager to ensure strategic initiatives are staffed, scoped, and executed effectively
  • Identify and improve operational inefficiencies across onboarding, documentation, tooling, and knowledge sharing
  • Develop and refine process workflows, templates, and coordination mechanisms to scale execution quality and consistency
  • Coordinate hiring and onboarding efforts for new FDE team members

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Project ManagementSchedule ManagementBudget TrackingVendor ContractsRisk ManagementProcurementBill of MaterialsLogistics CoordinationDashboard ReportingCross-Functional CollaborationStakeholder Communication

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary for this Operations Specialist position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Is this a remote position, or is there a specific location requirement?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What experience and skills are required for this role?

Candidates need 3+ years in operations, project coordination, or engineering program management in robotics, aerospace, defense, or similar fields, a Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, or related, experience managing schedules, budgets, and component delivery in hardware/software environments, and proven support for multi-disciplinary teams in fast-paced contexts.

What does the work environment or team culture look like at Saronic for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate for the Operations Specialist role?

A strong candidate has experience in robotics, aerospace, or defense operations, familiarity with design reviews, requirements traceability, and subsystem coordination, plus the ability to manage budgets, schedules, and cross-functional teams in fast-paced, field-driven environments.

Saronic

Develops advanced autonomous surface vessels

About Saronic

Saronic Technologies develops Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) that enhance the capabilities of naval and maritime forces. These vessels utilize adaptive path planning, passive sensors, and advanced algorithms, along with edge computing, to effectively identify and track targets. They are designed to operate in challenging environments, using resilient multichannel communications to support both manned and unmanned operations. Saronic Technologies differentiates itself by focusing on military and defense clients, aiming to improve situational awareness, extend operational reach, and enhance survivability during maritime missions. The company's goal is to provide solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing operational strategies or support new maritime tactics, generating revenue through the sale of ASVs and related customization services.

Austin, TexasHeadquarters
2022Year Founded
$223.7MTotal Funding
SERIES_BCompany Stage
DefenseIndustries
201-500Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Parental Leave
401(k) Retirement Plan
Stock Options
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance

Risks

Increased competition from other defense tech startups threatens Saronic's market share.
Rapid AI advancements may require costly updates to maintain competitive ASV systems.
Geopolitical tensions could hinder international collaborations and foreign government sales.

Differentiation

Saronic integrates AI, hardware, and software into scalable, fully integrated maritime platforms.
Their ASVs feature adaptive path planning and advanced algorithms for effective target tracking.
Saronic's multichannel communications enable seamless manned-unmanned teaming in contested environments.

Upsides

Raised $175M in Series B funding, reaching a $1 billion valuation in 2024.
Growing demand for autonomous vessels in defense and commercial sectors boosts market potential.
AI integration in ASVs enhances decision-making and operational efficiency for maritime missions.

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