Based in Austin, Texas, Saronic Technologies builds autonomous surface vessels capable of carrying out critical maritime missions unmanned. (Photo courtesy of Saronic)

Defense technology firm Saronic announced the opening of a brand new 80,000-square foot office in downtown San Diego, designed to strengthen support for U.S. and allied forces throughout the Pacific. 

Based in Austin, Texas, Saronic Technologies builds autonomous surface vessels capable of carrying out maritime missions unmanned. 

The company’s six different models combine AI, communication technologies and advanced censors to achieve “high level autonomous behaviors,” according to Rob Lehman, co-founder and chief commercial officer.

He said that the new building will serve as “a West Coast home” for the company’s operations.

“San Diego is a critical node in the U.S. maritime defense landscape, and we’re excited to join and contribute to this lively community,” Lehman said. 

San Diego has long been a hub for maritime activity, home to Naval Base San Diego, the nation’s second-largest naval base and the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard, which specializes in building Navy vessels and commercial cargo carriers. 

Following Saronic’s rapid growth since its founding in 2022 – fueled by newly secured federal contracts and $600 million in funding – Lehman said expanding to San Diego seemed like a natural next step.

Though the new location won’t be used as a shipyard, it will house daily operations including business, customer support and depot maintenance. 

For Lehman himself, the expansion into San Diego is a return to the West Coast.  

Before Saronic, he served as a Marine Corps officer, stationed at Camp Pendleton. Later, he would meet his wife on a sandy beach in the region.

“I’ll be traveling from Austin to San Diego as often as humanly possible,” Lehman said. 

Along with the new building, Saronic announced that they are looking to expand their team in San Diego. 

The company is hoping to hire talent across business sectors, including support technicians, customer service representatives and more. 

According to Lehman, the hub will be fully operational in the upcoming months.

“Our presence in San Diego reflects our commitment not only to our Navy partners, but to the region’s economic revitalization and innovation ecosystem,” Lehman said.