Electrical Engineer

22613BR

Kansas Geological Survey

Position Overview

Using an engineering approach, the Electrical Engineer in this unique position will test, maintain, refine, design, build, troubleshoot, and ready advanced equipment and associated components for field data acquisition. This position will have the freedom to conceive, design, and build hardware and software supporting data acquisition for a wide range of geologic and hydrologic applications. The Electrical Engineer provides a leadership role in training on the proper use and handling of equipment. This person will troubleshoot electronic equipment, often in a field environment, and repair or implement replacement options.  This position is provided opportunities to advise and brainstorm with internationally recognized experts during the conception and development of advanced sensing and recording systems.

The ideal candidate will be more gratified in solving a problem with a circuit and custom algorithm than deriving a differential equation. They’ll be a person who can map a path from the need to the goal, even if it means using ‘black-tape and baling wire’ to get there.

Keeping current with technology and networking is vital for personal and professional growth.  This engineering position will be provided opportunities to travel to professional society conventions/meetings and engage in a range of professional service functions.  Travel across the US to some of the most unique and out of the way places in support of field research has been an option for this position for decades now and it will continue to be well into the future.  Working with US Government scientists routinely involves cutting edge work on sensitive data from locations rarely seen by the general public.  This is not your run-of-the-mill electrical engineering position.  Every day provides challenges and satisfaction with incredible freedom to explore and conceive using skills developed in the classroom.

SALARY, EMPLOYMENT STATUS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS: Full-time position with benefits, subject to a six-month probation and annual performance reviews. Salary is $75,000 or higher, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 22 days of paid vacation earned per year, 12 days of sick leave earned per year, 9 paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options, and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities. KU is a great place to work! The University actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups.

GEOPHYSICS PROGRAM AND EXPLORATION SERVICES: The Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) Geophysics Program and Exploration Services develop and use several investigative methods to provide information about the subsurface, using both invasive and non-invasive approaches with a focus on higher resolution and accuracy while reducing cost.

The services provide drilling in support of water, energy, and basic subsurface research. It also runs a program designed to monitor changes and identify regional trends in the High Plains, Dakota, and alluvial aquifers, measuring about 1,380 wells in 47 central and western Kansas counties. As well, the ES section is responsible for installation, maintenance, and collection of data from earthquake recording stations in Kansas—both permanent stations and several temporary networks—to detect and analyze seismic activity.

For more information about the KGS visit our website: http://www.kgs.ku.edu

Job Description

40%    Participates in research planning and development for a wide range of projects and programs using engineering background and expertise to determine optimum electronic systems and/or devices for purchase, to design, or construction, based on project goals. Projects/programs include but not limited to seismic, GPR, drilling, water-level, earthquake, land surveying, and logging as well as other KGS section as need for expertise arises.  Responsibility for all section computers, plotters, and printers (purchasing, setup, and updates); with additional oversight of KGS cell phones.

20%    Conceives, designs, and implements microcomputer/microcontroller systems/software as well as electronic and mechan­ical devices for the testing of advanced geophysical data acquisition and processing research.  Help eval­uate commercially available seismic instruments/components based on literature, laboratory, and field testing, fitness for KGS geophysical research, and deter­mination of potential design flaws. Participates in development, pre-planning, and excursions as necessary to ensure electronic readiness for seismic research projects.  Programming to manage data formats.  Monitors and evaluates overall fitness of seismic hardware and software for rapid deployment. 

20%    Acting as an electronics specialist, evaluate and compare, often without the aid of schematics or other published technical information, expected versus actual performance of a variety of specialized electronic and mechanical devices. Apply­ing electronic/engineering principles in the formulation and implementation of a solution that may involve repairing, rebuilding, redesigning, or discarding the equipment. Independently investigates and determines appropriate solutions to problems with KGS electronic equip­ment. Troubleshoot complex electronic systems, correct system problems, or recommend options. Design, build, and implement specialized electronic components for a wide range of applications. 

10%    Principle oversight and facilitator in preparing, updating, delivering, and retrieving electronic field systems for KGS and collaborators working on annual water-level measurement program.  Programming and revising of specialized software for android devices. Options to perform as a field-member of the annual water-level measurement program. Responsible for educating on the proper operation of all guidance and data logging hardware and software systems used by several state agencies. Assist in troubleshooting and resolving any issues arising from electronic systems. Responsible for preliminary analysis and safeguarding the accuracy of annual water level measurements.

10%    Participate with data recording, transfer operations, and data management of both temporary and permanent Kansas earthquake network.  Instruct and monitor earthquake technician on proper maintenance and installation of hardware at remote field locations.  Field oversight will be necessary in cases where remote interaction is not providing the 100% operational efficiencies.

Position Requirements

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Contact Information to Applicants

Annette Delaney
Human Resources
Kansas Geological Survey,
University of Kansas
[email protected]
785-864-2152

Additional Candidate Instruction

Complete the University of Kansas Unclassified Professional Staff profile and upload the required material:

Advertised Salary Range

$75,000 ($36.05/hr) or higher, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Review Begins

15-Aug-2022

Anticipated Start Date

19-Sep-2022

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

Employee Class

U-Unclassified Professional Staff

Work Schedule

8a-5p, Monday through Friday

Job Family

Information Technology-KUL

Work Location Assignment

On-Site

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and are the Title IX coordinators for their respective campuses: Director of the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY (for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses); Director, Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City, Kansas medical center campuses).