
Mechanic (Deployable)
San Diego, CA at a glance
- Rent
- #2 of 51$3,380/mo+46% vs US avg
- Weather
- #17 of 51366 mild days0 hot · 0 cold
- Income tax
- #1 of 5113.3% top rateCalifornia
What you need
- 5+ yrs hands-on diesel mechanical experience
- Marine diesel and electrical systems troubleshooting
- Ability to obtain and maintain Secret clearance
- Willingness to travel ~80% domestically and internationally
- Fit for work: swim, tread water, lift 50 lbs
What you'll do
- Diagnose and repair diesel, mechanical, and electrical systems
- Provide on-site technical leadership during field operations
- Mentor and train junior and mid-level technicians
- Maintain accurate technical documentation and records
- Travel ~80% to support field operations and customers
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
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.
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.
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About Saronic
Saronic is a defense technology company that designs, builds, and deploys autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) for naval and maritime applications. The company focuses on integrating advanced hardware, artificial intelligence, and software into scalable unmanned systems that enhance maritime awareness, extend operational reach, and improve survivability in complex environments.
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