Job Description:
Avionics Engineer (Maritime Robotics)
Join the Surge
At Surge Marine, we aren’t just building boats; we’re engineering the future of high-speed, high-maneuverability maritime robotics. Our Whiplash platform is designed to dominate both the surface and sub-surface in conditions that would sideline standard vessels. To keep our "Formula 1 of the ocean" running at peak performance, we need a "full-stack" Avionics Engineer—someone who can bridge the gap between complex circuit boards, low-level code, and the brutal reality of the sea.
The Mission
As our Avionics Engineer, you are the nervous system architect. You will be responsible for the integration and reliability of the electronics that allow our platforms to see, think, and move. This isn’t a "sit at a desk and simulate" role. You’ll be designing hardware, writing the drivers to make it talk, and then jumping on a chase boat to see if it survives a 40-knot impact against a wave.
Your Impact
System Integration: Own the avionics suite, integrating flight controllers (or maritime equivalents), GNSS/INS systems, and high-bandwidth data links.
Circuit & PCB Design: Design, prototype, and test custom PCBs for power distribution, signal conditioning, and sensor interfacing.
Embedded "Glue" Code: Write the low-level firmware (C/C++, Python) needed to interface sensors with our primary autonomy stack.
EMI/EMC Mastery: Shield our sensitive electronics from the "noise" of high-power propulsion systems and salt-water interference.
Field Surgery: Lead the electronic debugging during sea trials. When a sensor goes dark in the middle of a test, you’re the one with the oscilloscope and the fix.
Who You Are
You are an "all-around" engineer who feels equally comfortable with a soldering iron, a compiler, and a wrench. You don’t wait for a manual; you figure out how things work by taking them apart. You understand that in maritime robotics, "it worked in the lab" means nothing until it works in the water.
The Essentials:
Education: BSc or MSc in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or Aerospace Engineering.
Experience: 3+ years in a hands-on electronics role (UAVs, Robotics, Automotive, or Aerospace preferred).
The "Code" Bit: Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems and Python for scripting/testing.
Hardware Stack: Experience with Altium/KiCad, CANbus, Ethernet, and serial protocols (UART, SPI, I2C).
Versatility: You can pivot from designing a high-speed data interface to troubleshooting a 24V power surge.
Nationality: Due to the nature of our maritime defense projects, Dutch or NATO-country nationality is required.
The Surge Offer
We offer a high-octane environment where your work is the literal "spark" that brings our machines to life.
Competitive Salary: Scaled to your "black magic" skills and seniority.
Equity/Options: We want you to have a stake in the success of the platform you help build.
On-site Hub: Work in our specialized Valkenburg facility, surrounded by the hardware and the team.
No Red Tape
: We move fast. If you find a better way to optimize our avionics, we implement it.
Adventure: Real-world testing. You’ll see your systems perform in the Sea, not just on a screen.
Ready to build?
Skip the formal cover letter. Send us your CV/Portfolio and a brief description of the most complex electronic "gremlin" you ever had to hunt down and kill. We want to hear about how you solved it when the stakes were high.
Contact: career@surgemarine.eu