DESCRIPTION

The Marine Physical Laboratory division at Scripps Institution of Oceanography is seeking a Research and Development Electrical Engineer 1 or 2.

The Electrical Engineer shall use professional engineering concepts, especially in electrical engineering. The work includes designing, implementing, testing, and maintaining electrical circuits, electronics for instruments, electrical systems for various scientific and research applications. These applications include real-time instrumentation acquisition systems, embedded systems design, 3-phase motor designs, high-voltage power electronics, telemetry systems, etc.

The Electrical Engineer must be able to apply their knowledge of electrical engineering to assist in producing electrical and electronic circuits that will be deployed in the field and laboratory.

Under general supervision of more senior engineers, the selected candidate will:

• Analyze, design, build and test custom analog and digital printed circuit boards.

• Integrate custom designed electronics with off-the-shelf components to complete instrumentation systems that meet scientific objectives.

• Assist in the design of integrated computer based instrumentation and data acquisition systems for measurements and remote sensing of oceanographic data.

• Assist in the maintenance, modification and operation of existing instrumentation systems

• Participates in developing, designing, building, and unit testing of FPGA-based SONAR data acquisition systems.

• Assist with developing, designing, building, and unit testing of low power ocean sensing instrumentation including conductive, inductive, resistive, thermometric, piezo acoustic, piezo mechanical, RF, and optical transducers.

• Participates in developing, designing, building, coding, and unit testing of autonomous and tethered low-power embedded microprocessor-based acquisition systems.

• Participates in the preparation and execution of both field expeditions and laboratory measurements.

• Participate with scientific personnel in data acquisition, quality control and archiving.

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. Degree in electronic or mechanical engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Working knowledge of engineering principles and methods in order to independently perform professional engineering design work of limited scope and complexity.

• Working knowledge necessary to begin independent application of principles, practices and procedures in the completion of assignments. Knowledge of commonly accepted and effective electrical and mechanical design practices.

• Skill and experience in design, construction, testing, maintenance electrical circuit, PCBs. Ability to implement electronic and mechanical design, constructions, and wiring of new instrumentation. Experience soldering and populating electronic boards with electronic components.

• Ability to read, understand, and create electronic schematics, mechanical drawings and manufacturers data.

• Organizational abilities and decision-making to prioritize work assignments. Analytical skills, and strong skills in attention to detail.

• Working knowledge of engineering principles and mathematical techniques appropriate to the design and testing of mechanical and electronic systems.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate and interact effectively with scientific, technical, and administrative personnel.

• Ability to work in a collaborative manner, to assist in identifying any challenges or barriers. Ability to work with a diverse group of people and to demonstrate tact and diplomacy.

• Ability to work in remote locations and at sea under potentially adverse conditions for extended periods.

• Experience with digital signal processing techniques including FFTs and Fourier analysis as well as signal analysis in the time and frequency domains.

• Experience and sufficient proficiency with programming languages including C/C++, VHDL/Verilog, Python, Matlab, LabVIEW.

• Strong analytical and judgment skills to conduct analyses and develop appropriate recommendations. Ability to use standard electronic test equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, frequency counters and spectrum analyzers.

• Experience in real-time embedded systems design, coding, and development

• Experience with logic circuits, programmable logic, and hardware description languages (VHDL/Verilog).

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

1. Passport required for seagoing operations and travel to foreign ports.

2. Current California driver's license to travel to/from MPL machine shop.

3. Ability to obtain and maintain forklift driver certification, 4500 pound rating minimum.

4. Occasional overtime and irregular hours.

5. Ability to obtain and maintain a DOD security clearance as required.

6. Ability to lift minimum of 40 pounds.

   • Job offer is contingent on successful engagement in the UC COVID-19 Vaccination program (fully vaccinated with documented proof or approved exception/deferral)

   • Job offer of employment is contingent upon candidate clearing the background check process.