ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

This full-time University of Washington professional staff position (40hrs/week) in the Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, & Ecosystem Studies, and is located at NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) at 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA. Using electronics and other skills, the position involves working on research projects within PMEL’s Engineering Development Division (EDD).

This position will be in support of EDD’s mandate to provide PMEL with well-engineered, and
constructed, science-based oceanographic observing systems. The candidate must be capable and motivated to learn and develop the skills necessary to design, maintain, troubleshoot and repair oceanographic and meteorological systems and sensors down to the circuit board
level. This involves the application of advanced electronic concepts and fundamental practices.

The candidate will be expected to follow established guidelines from a senior engineer for
designing electronic printed circuit boards and system assemblies. The candidate will also be required to work closely and communicate accurately with their peers, engineers, and PMEL scientists. Incumbent will be required to exercise good judgment and take appropriate action when faced with tasks outside his/her expertise and will be required to develop and implement a working understanding of CAD software, electronic components, fabrication, and work under challenging environmental conditions including work on research ships at sea.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Electronic circuit board schematic design PCB layout, soldering, assembly, and troubleshooting.

· Develop custom circuits that incorporate embedded microprocessors programmed for instrument control.
· Solder, crimp and assemble delicate electro-mechanical systems, including surface mount printed circuit boards.
· Operate diagnostic equipment including oscilloscopes, multimeters, meggers, and power supplies.
· Maintain, and repair autonomous underwater gliders.

Instrumentation assembly

· Wire, assemble and mount delicate printed circuit boards.
· Operate hand and power tools (drills, saws, etc.) in the lab and shop.
· Build oceanographic observing systems and electronic systems for deployment. This includes servicing o-rings,
replacing batteries, inspecting cables and installing subassemblies.
· Assist journeymen in all tasks where additional manpower is needed, as in lifting and positioning of heavy and bulky
items, alignment of jigs and fixtures, and assembly and installation of machined or electronic components.

Design test setups and perform data analysis

· Test, troubleshoot and repair marine and meteorological instruments, cables and connectors using standard diagnostic equipment.
· Install and test fabricated equipment for proper operation; adjust and calibrate custom equipment; troubleshoot and repair equipment malfunction(s) to system, electronics board, or component level, including using diagnostic software.
·The incumbent must have the ability to understand and implement standard electronic lab setups and testing used for oceanographic and meteorological sensors.

Documentation and revision control

·The incumbent must be able to keep accurate work and inventory records and be able to present them in a format understood by his co-workers and supervisor.
·Maintain excellent documentation of all electronics schematics, PCB layouts, system requirements and specifications using industry best practices of revision control and versioning.
·Maintain an inventory of electronic components and hardware.

Instrumentation staging and field work

·Work in an environment requiring physical dexterity and strength, i.e. on a moving ship or buoy, and the ability to carry equipment up to 50 pounds.
·Follow safe and efficient operating procedures on all lab equipment and adhere to Laboratory and industry standards.

REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s Degree (BA or BS) in science or engineering and at least 5 years experience OR a combination of experience and education.

· Minimum of 3 year experience in digital and analog electronic, PCB soldering work, PCB layout, troubleshooting, and loading firmware.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

· Incumbent must have strong electronics/sensor troubleshooting skills with diagnostic instruments (oscilloscope, multimeter, etc.), PC skills with at least 2 years of computer programming experience and min 3 years software for circuit design.
· The incumbent must have the ability to understand and implement standard electronic lab setups and testing used for oceanographic and meteorological sensors.
· Proven experience in interdisciplinary environment, excellent verbal and written communications skills.
· Strong self-starter

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· The position requires physical agility and strength to perform most tasks in the
electronics lab, shop spaces and on a research vessel. Periods of standing, walking,
bending, and lifting of heavy objects (up to 50 pounds) is expected

· Work is performed in lab, shop and outdoor environments. Working on ships and in small boats is also required. Various protective devices such as safety glasses, hard hats, safety shoes, gloves and an aspirator are used, and may be required for some operations, to minimize hazardous conditions.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.