Job Summary

Saronic is seeking a Mechanic IV to serve as the senior hands-on technician for our deployable maintenance footprint, supporting our autonomous platforms, including the 12 ft UUV, the 24 ft Corsair, and the 52 ft Mirage, at test sites, depots, and forward operating locations. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Deployable Operations within the Sustainment organization, you will diagnose, repair, and sustain diesel, mechanical, electrical, and integrated vehicle systems in the field and set the technical and quality standard the rest of the team works to.

This is the most senior wrench on the deck plate. Managers set priorities and own the schedule; junior technicians execute the routine work. You are the technical reference in between — the person who takes the hard diagnosis, decides the repair approach, verifies the quality of everyone else's work, and keeps operations moving when the answer is not in the manual. The ideal candidate has deep marine diesel experience, is credible across mechanical, electrical, and networked systems, and is comfortable working independently in remote, fast-moving environments with incomplete information.

Scope of the role

· Senior-level diagnosis, repair, and preventive maintenance across all supported platforms, CONUS and OCONUS

· Technical reference and quality standard for technicians at the assigned site or deployment

· Overhaul and rebuild support for diesel propulsion and associated systems

· Development and refinement of maintenance procedures, checklists, and troubleshooting guides based on field experience

· Mentorship, training, and quality verification for junior and mid-level technicians

· Field technical representation to engineers, operators, customers, and other stakeholders during operations and testing

How you support the mission

· Diagnose, repair, and troubleshoot diesel, mechanical, electrical, communications, networking, perception, sensor, power, and other integrated vehicle systems and subsystems.

· Perform inspections, preventive maintenance, repairs, component replacement, and system validation to return platforms to fully mission capable status.

· Execute complex diesel engine diagnostics, maintenance, and repair with high precision, and support overhaul and rebuild activities.

· Provide on-site technical leadership during field operations, testing, and customer events, coordinating effectively with technicians, engineers, operators, and customers.

· Clearly communicate equipment status, technical issues, risks, and recommended corrective actions to supervisors and stakeholders.

· Maintain accurate technical documentation, including maintenance records, troubleshooting notes, system configurations, test results, parts usage, and equipment deficiencies.

· Identify systemic quality issues and recurring failures, and recommend corrective actions to supervisors and the maintenance program.

· Proactively flag risks, parts shortfalls, or resource constraints before they impact operations or schedules.

· Travel approximately 80% of the time, including domestic and international assignments, to support field operations, testing, maintenance, and customer requirements.

How you support the team

· Set the quality standard on the shop floor and in field operations, and hold peers to that standard.

· Mentor and train personnel on equipment operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and field procedures, and support quality verification for less experienced technicians.

· Develop and refine maintenance procedures, checklists, troubleshooting guides, and lessons learned so the team's knowledge outlives any single deployment.

· Serve as a key technical resource for cross-functional teams and field deployments, translating field realities into clear recommendations for engineering and leadership.

· Make informed decisions about complex maintenance workflows and repair approaches within your area, and communicate trade-offs to supervisors on challenging operational issues.

· Drive productivity within your area and take initiative to keep operations moving when issues arise.

· Support coverage of adjacent roles and help maintain operational continuity during staffing or scheduling gaps.

· Take full accountability for the quality, safety, and output of your assigned area or work scope, balancing thoroughness with urgency.

Role Requirements

· 5+ years of hands-on diesel mechanical experience in marine, automotive, aerospace, heavy industrial, or a related technical field.

· Proven experience troubleshooting and maintaining complex mechanical, electrical, and integrated systems.

· Working knowledge of electrical systems, communications equipment, networking, sensors, and perception systems.

· Familiarity with network fundamentals, including IP addressing, Ethernet, switches, routers, and basic connectivity troubleshooting.

· Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, wiring diagrams, schematics, network diagrams, and system documentation.

· Experience using diagnostic equipment such as scan tools, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and network troubleshooting tools.

· Strong leadership, organization, troubleshooting, and documentation skills, with excellent written and verbal communication.

· Ability to work independently and effectively within cross-functional engineering and operations teams.

· Willingness and ability to travel approximately 80%, including extended domestic and international assignments.

· Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, and extended days when operationally required.

· Able to certify as "fit for work" by demonstrating ability to swim and tread water, lift up to 50 lbs., and spend extended time periods on the water.

Qualifications

· High school diploma or equivalent required; technical or vocational training in diesel, marine, or industrial systems preferred. Equivalent military technical training and experience considered.

· Marine diesel and/or Volvo Penta VODIA experience preferred.

· Diesel engine certification (Volvo Penta, Cummins, or equivalent) is a plus.

· Experience with autonomous surface vessels, unmanned maritime systems, or defense technology programs is highly desirable.

· Prior military experience in a maritime maintenance, engineering, or engine rating or MOS is strongly preferred.

· Prior experience deploying to or supporting forward operating locations is a plus.

· Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

Physical Demands

· This role may require deployment to austere or inhospitable environments, where operational conditions include indirect fire.

· Ability to certify as "fit for work" by demonstrating ability to swim and tread water.

· Ability to perform physically demanding work for extended periods, up to 12 hours per day.

· Frequently and repetitively lift, push, and carry up to 50 lbs.

· Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in marine and waterside environments, including sun, wind, rain, cold, and saltwater spray.

· Frequently and repetitively bend, lift, and reach to install and remove components of varying size and weight.

· Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, including over varied and uneven terrain such as docks, vessel decks, and gravel surfaces.

· Stoop, lay, bend, reach, squat, kneel, crouch, twist, and crawl for extended periods while working in confined or low-clearance spaces.

· Climb and maintain balance on ladders, platforms, vessels, and other elevated structures.

· Exposure to loud noise, vibration, engine exhaust, and hazardous materials with required adherence to safety and disposal procedures.

· Always wear Personal Protective Equipment in work areas, including safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, steel-toed footwear, and other PPE as required.

Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays

Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match