Assistant Merchant Marine Engineer Jobs in Texas

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 Summary
You will lead the team responsible for keeping Saronic's Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) platforms mission-ready: low-signature, autonomous vessels built to move critical supplies across contested littoral environments without a sailor on board. As a Senior Sustainment Engineer, you'll own the propulsion, electrical, hydraulic, and hull systems that keep these platforms running, independently diagnose and repair faults in the field, mentor junior engineers and technicians, and lead the training of military technicians to sustain the platforms long-term. This role sits at the intersection of field maintenance and product development. Your hands-on findings from vessel maintenance and the waterline directly inform how these platforms are engineered for reliability. The ideal candidate brings deep, credentialed marine engineering experience, hands-on expertise with autonomous systems, and the ability to lead and communicate clearly across technicians, engineers, and government stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
Vessel Maintenance & Repair
• Lead scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on Saronic's USV platforms (propulsion, electrical, hydraulic, and hull systems) in both shore-based and forward-deployed environments.
• Independently diagnose and troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, and software-interfaced system faults, and lead repairs to restore mission readiness within operational timelines.
• Conduct and oversee pre- and post-mission inspections (dockside and waterborne) to verify system integrity, watertight/structural condition, and safety of the vessel prior to launch.
• Own maintenance logs, technical records, and configuration status, ensuring compliance with class society guidance and DoD material condition standards.
• Lead spare parts inventory management, technical documentation, and OEM/vendor coordination for critical propulsion, power, and control components.
• Author and maintain maintenance SOPs, technical manuals, troubleshooting guides, and casualty/emergency repair procedures, including remote scuttle system servicing.
• Lead coordination with operators on waterspace deconfliction, safety boat integration, and range safety compliance during maintenance test runs and sea trials.
Training & Technician Development
• Lead the development and delivery of platform maintenance training courses across the full curriculum: Technician Fundamentals, Preventive Maintenance, Corrective Maintenance & Troubleshooting, and Advanced Systems Repair.
• Train, qualify, and mentor military personnel and junior sustainment engineers on platform-specific maintenance procedures, including propulsion and electrical system servicing, confined-space engine access, and safe work practices in marine environments.
• Build and lead train-the-trainer programs that establish long-term organic military maintenance capability with the platforms.
Product Development & Stakeholder Engagement
• Own the liaison relationship between Mission Operations/Maintenance and Saronic's Product and Engineering teams, ensuring field reliability data drives design decisions.
• Lead the capture and synthesis of failure modes, MTBF/MTTR data, and technician feedback from testing and deployments to shape requirements, roadmaps, and system maintainability.
• Lead engagements with government customers and DoD program offices on maintenance status and readiness.
• Own reporting and visualization tools that communicate fleet health, maintenance backlog, system performance, and readiness risk to internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent Mission Operations/Maintenance at PDRs, IDRs, and CDRs as the senior subject-matter authority on reliability and maintainability.
• Lead the planning and execution of site surveys to assess port infrastructure, maintenance facility requirements, tooling, and logistics constraints ahead of field operations.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in marine engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field, or equivalent operational experience.
• Valid U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential as First Assistant Engineer (unlimited horsepower, oceans) or above, with an unrestricted STCW endorsement as Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (OICEW), STCW Regulation III/2.
• 10+ years of experience in marine engineering, including maintaining marine propulsion, electrical, or mechanical systems aboard vessels in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, or Special Operations.
• Prior experience in a shipboard engineering leadership role (e.g., Chief Engineer, First Assistant Engineer, or Engineering Officer) with direct responsibility for an engineering watch, department, or maintenance team.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of diesel and/or electric propulsion systems, hydraulics, marine electrical systems, and shipboard control/automation systems.
• Proven ability to lead and deliver technical maintenance training programs to military personnel.
• Advanced diagnostic and troubleshooting skills, with a track record of leading teams through complex casualties and making sound decisions under pressure in dynamic field environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience authoring maintenance manuals, SOPs, and discrepancy/casualty reports for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Possess an active clearance or have the ability to obtain one.
• Up to 75% travel required for field trials, demonstrations, and customer engagements.
Desired Qualifications:
• Sailed in management-level engineering positions (e.g., Chief Engineer or First Assistant Engineer) aboard oceangoing vessels.
• Experience maintaining unmanned surface vessels (USVs), autonomous systems, or remotely operated maritime platforms.
• Familiarity with GPS-denied or communications-degraded system architectures.
• Prior experience or work with DoD or other government agencies.
• Experience mentoring, supervising, or training junior engineers or technicians.
Physical Demands
• Must be able to swim and tread water; ability to certify as fit for duty is required.
• Regularly lift, push, and carry up to 50 lbs., including tools, parts, and maintenance equipment.
• Work in confined and elevated spaces, including engine compartments and equipment bays, using flashlights and hand tools.
• Operate in daylight, low-light, and night conditions using marine navigation and diagnostic equipment.
• Perform physically demanding work (stooping, bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling, crouching, twisting, and crawling) for up to 12 hours a day.
• Climb and maintain balance on ladders, platforms, and scaffolding.
• Stand and walk for up to 10 hours a day over varied and uneven terrain.
• Work in marine environments including sun, wind, rain, cold, and saltwater spray for extended periods.
• Work in hot and humid conditions with adherence to hydration and heat safety practices.
• Detect alarms, verbal instructions, and hazards in high-noise environments.
• Wear and maintain PPE including safety glasses, safety shoes, hard hat, and hearing protection in compliance with site safety requirements.
Benefits
Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan 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 with company match
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
Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline
Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office
Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees
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).
Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.