Senior Marine Quality Engineer

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. SENIOR MARINE QUALITY ENGINEER POSITION OVERVIEW We are seeking an experienced Senior Marine Quality Engineer to lead quality engineering efforts supporting the construction, integration, and testing of autonomous surface vessels (ASVs). In this role, you will provide technical leadership across shipyard operations, including hull fabrication, welding, outfitting, electrical integration, and harbor and sea trials. You will develop and improve quality processes, establish inspection and verification strategies, and drive the resolution of complex quality issues to ensure vessels meet stringent customer, naval, regulatory, and internal requirements. The ideal candidate brings deep technical knowledge of marine manufacturing and quality engineering, a proactive approach to risk mitigation, and the ability to influence quality outcomes across engineering, production, and program teams. You will play a key role in strengthening quality systems, improving manufacturing and integration processes, and ensuring the reliability, safety, and performance of vessels throughout the production lifecycle. RESPONSIBILITIES - Quality Engineering Leadership: Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of quality assurance processes across shipyard operations, including fabrication, assembly, outfitting, systems integration, and testing. Establish inspection plans, acceptance criteria, and quality controls aligned with engineering drawings, technical specifications, regulatory requirements, military standards, and customer expectations. - Quality Systems and Compliance: Own and strengthen quality processes to ensure compliance with applicable maritime, defense, and customer requirements, including ISO 9001, ABS, and U.S. Navy standards, as applicable. Interpret complex requirements and translate them into actionable inspection, verification, and documentation practices. - Inspection and Verification: Provide technical oversight of critical manufacturing and integration activities, including welding, hull construction, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and vessel-level integration. Develop risk-based inspection strategies and ensure appropriate verification of critical characteristics and processes. Support harbor and sea trials by evaluating system readiness, reviewing test results, and confirming quality requirements are satisfied before delivery. - Root Cause and Corrective Action: Lead investigations into complex nonconformances, recurring defects, and systemic quality issues. Apply structured root cause analysis and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) methodologies to implement effective, sustainable solutions. Verify corrective action effectiveness and communicate lessons learned across programs and production teams. - Continuous Improvement: Drive initiatives to improve product quality, manufacturing consistency, process capability, and production efficiency. Analyze quality trends and performance metrics to identify systemic issues, prioritize improvement opportunities, and implement preventive controls that reduce defects, rework, and scrap. - Nonconformance and Risk Management: Establish and oversee processes for identifying, documenting, evaluating, and resolving nonconforming materials, components, and assemblies. Partner with engineering and production to assess technical risk, determine appropriate dispositions, and ensure corrective actions are completed. Escalate critical quality risks and provide recommendations to program leadership. - Cross-Functional Technical Leadership: Serve as a senior quality resource to engineering, production, supply chain, and program management teams. Influence design and manufacturing decisions by providing quality engineering expertise, identifying risks early, and driving design for manufacturability, inspection, and reliability improvements. - Documentation and Quality Reporting: Own the integrity and accuracy of quality documentation, including inspection records, test reports, nonconformance reports, corrective action records, and acceptance documentation. Develop and communicate quality performance reports, identify trends, and present recommendations to technical and program leadership. - Supplier and External Quality: Support supplier quality activities, including the evaluation of supplier documentation, inspection plans, material certifications, and nonconformance resolution. Coordinate with external inspectors, regulatory representatives, customers, and other stakeholders to support audits, inspections, and vessel acceptance activities. - Mentorship and Standardization: Provide technical guidance and mentorship to quality engineers, inspectors, and shipyard personnel. Establish consistent inspection practices, reinforce quality standards, and promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and ownership across the organization. QUALIFICATIONS - Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field. An advanced degree or relevant professional certifications in quality engineering, welding inspection, or nondestructive testing is a plus. - Experience: 7+ years of experience in quality engineering, quality assurance, or a related technical discipline within shipbuilding, maritime, defense, or complex manufacturing environments. Demonstrated experience leading quality initiatives, resolving complex technical issues, and improving manufacturing or integration processes is required. - Marine and Defense Standards: Strong understanding of applicable maritime, military, and customer quality requirements. Experience working with ABS, U.S. Navy requirements, ISO 9001, and other relevant regulatory or defense standards is highly desirable. - Technical Expertise: Extensive knowledge of shipyard and marine manufacturing processes, including hull fabrication, welding, mechanical outfitting, electrical integration, and vessel-level systems integration. Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, inspection requirements, and test procedures. - Quality Engineering Methods: Demonstrated proficiency in root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action, nonconformance management, risk assessment, inspection planning, and continuous improvement methodologies. Experience using quality metrics and data analysis to identify trends and drive measurable improvements. - Inspection and Testing: Experience developing or overseeing inspection and test plans, evaluating inspection results, verifying product conformity, and supporting harbor trials, sea trials, and final vessel acceptance. Familiarity with measurement equipment, inspection tools, and relevant testing methodologies. - Leadership and Influence: Ability to lead cross-functional quality initiatives, provide technical direction, mentor team members, and influence stakeholders across engineering, production, supply chain, and program management without relying solely on formal authority. - Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with a demonstrated ability to independently resolve complex quality issues, assess technical risk, and implement sustainable corrective actions in a fast-paced production environment. - Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical findings, present quality performance metrics, document corrective actions, and collaborate effectively with internal teams, customers, suppliers, and external regulatory bodies. - Attention to Detail and Accountability: High standards for technical accuracy, documentation, and product conformity, with a proactive approach to identifying risks and ensuring vessels meet stringent quality, reliability, safety, and performance requirements.   PHYSICAL DEMANDS - Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer - Occasional standing and walking within the office - 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) 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 https://saronic-assets-public.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Saronic%20CCPA%20Notice%20for%20Candidates%20and%20California%20Employees.pdf 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) https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/8/1324b. 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.