Saronic Technologies, Austin, Texas, announced on Wednesday that it has opened a nearly 15,000-sq.-ft. office in downtown New Orleans to support its shipbuilding operations in Louisiana.
The office will house hardware engineers, naval architects, marine engineers, and system testing experts to support the design and development of Marauder, Saronic's 180' autonomous ship, the company said. The vessels are produced at the company's shipyard in Franklin, La., which is undergoing expansion.
Saronic said it expects to hire more than 350 skilled workers across its Louisiana operations this year. The company is partnering with universities and technical institutions, offering internships and early-career opportunities for students pursuing jobs in engineering, naval architecture, and other marine disciplines. It is also working with Louisiana Economic Development to build training programs.
"Louisiana has been at the center of American shipbuilding for generations, and New Orleans gives us direct access to the people and technical skills that make that possible," said Dino Mavrookas, co-founder and CEO of Saronic. "This facility builds on our growing investment in the state and strengthens the connection between our teams and Gulf Coast operations, allowing us to move faster as we field and deploy autonomous surface vessels and ships for both defense and commercial partners."
"This is a strong win for New Orleans and for our growing maritime and engineering economy," said Deputy Mayor Jenny Mains. "Saronic's decision to open their facilities in downtown New Orleans shows that companies see our city as a place where innovation, maritime expertise, and world-class talent come together. This investment brings high-quality technical and engineering opportunities for our workforce and aligns with Mayor Helena Moreno's 100-day plan to attract the next generation of industries and jobs to our city."
Founded in 2022, Saronic operates as a software-driven maritime technology company, combining autonomy development with in-house ship production.
In December, the company was awarded a $392 million contract to build a fleet of 24' Corsair uncrewed surface vessels for the U.S. Navy.
