Principal, Corporate Strategy - Corporate Development

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 Overview Saronic is seeking a Principal to lead Corporate Strategy within the company’s Corporate Development team. This role turns a large volume of market, competitive, technology, and customer intelligence into clear strategic choices: where Saronic should play, what capabilities it must own, and whether to build, buy, or partner to get them. The Principal will work directly with the executive team, the Board, and functional leaders. They will set the strategic agenda that shapes Saronic’s M&A pipeline, strategic partnerships, and major internal investments. Success in this role means leadership makes faster, better-informed decisions, grounded in a rigorous and current view of the landscape and an explicit logic for how each move compounds Saronic’s advantage. Responsibilities Own Saronic’s corporate strategy agenda. Frame the critical questions facing the company, structure the analysis, and drive executive alignment on priorities and tradeoffs. Build and maintain Saronic’s market and competitive intelligence function. Synthesize signals from customers, competitors, capital markets, technology developments, and policy into a clear, decision-ready point of view. Lead build/buy/partner analyses for key capability gaps. Evaluate strategic fit, cost, time-to-capability, risk, and long-term control, and make a clear recommendation. Develop the strategic theses and target landscapes that feed Saronic’s M&A pipeline, partnering closely with the M&A deal lead to prioritize targets and frame investment cases. Originate and shape strategic partnerships, including teaming arrangements, supplier and technology partnerships, and joint ventures. Define the strategic rationale, partner selection criteria, and value-sharing structure. Lead long-term strategic initiatives, including market entry, portfolio prioritization, capacity and investment decisions, in partnership with Finance and functional leaders. Prepare executive and Board materials that distill complex analysis into clear narratives, recommendations, and decisions. Build and lead a small, high-caliber strategy team. Set the standard for analytical rigor, synthesis, and communication. Qualifications 7+ years of experience in management consulting (strategy practice strongly preferred), corporate strategy, or corporate development, with a meaningful portion spent leading engagements or strategy workstreams for senior executives. Demonstrated track record of shaping major strategic decisions such as market entry, portfolio moves, M&A or partnership theses, and operating model changes, and seeing them through to action. Exceptional structured problem-solving. Able to frame ambiguous questions, build a hypothesis-driven plan, and reach a defensible recommendation from incomplete information. Strong financial and business acumen, including market sizing, business case development, and scenario analysis. Working fluency in valuation and transaction concepts. Outstanding written and verbal communication, with a track record of developing executive- and Board-level materials. Proven ability to influence and align senior stakeholders across functions without direct authority. Experience in defense, autonomy, maritime, or advanced hardware and technology sectors strongly preferred. Familiarity with DoD acquisition and budget dynamics a plus. Bachelor’s degree required; MBA a plus. 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 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.