Sensor Development Specialist

Zenovo; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Zenovo in East Midlands is seeking an experienced R&D Engineer to lead acoustic and vibration sensor development, from concept through prototype and validation in a Derby-based project.

You will evaluate technologies, design piezoelectric sensors, perform testing, and document results to drive toward a commercially viable product. This role requires hands-on experimentation and close collaboration with technical stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Piezoelectric sensor design knowledge
• Acoustic and vibration sensing experience
• Sensor development and instrumentation
• Low-noise analogue electronics and signal conditioning
• Embedded sensing and data acquisition
• Digital signal processing (DSP)
• Acoustic or vibration analysis
• MEMS or sensor technologies
• Mechanical design and sensor packaging
• Laboratory experimentation and prototype testing
• Product development from concept through validation

Responsibilities

• Research and assess existing acoustic, vibration and piezoelectric sensing technologies.
• Evaluate sensor technologies for the application suitability.
• Investigate acoustic and vibration characteristics under varying conditions.
• Assess background noise and environmental factors affecting performance.
• Define sensor requirements including sensitivity and SNR.
• Develop, refine and test sensor concepts and prototypes.
• Design sensor mounting, packaging and protection.
• Carry out laboratory and field-based testing.
• Analyse results and recommend improvements.
• Support transition from prototype to commercial product.
• Produce technical documentation of design decisions and tests.
• collaborate with other technical stakeholders throughout the R&D process.

Skills

Piezoelectric sensor design

Acoustic sensing

Vibration sensing

Sensor development

Low-noise electronics

Embedded sensing

DSP

Prototype testing

Mechanical packaging

Data acquisition

Job description

Sensor Development / R&D Engineer – Acoustic & Vibration Sensing

Location: East Midlands

Contract: 3–6 months

Start: ASAP

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced R&D / Sensor Development Engineer to support an exciting technology development project based in Derby.

This is a hands‑on role focused on the evaluation, development and testing of acoustic, vibration and piezoelectric sensing technologies, with the opportunity to take concepts through prototype development and validation towards commercialisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and assess existing acoustic, vibration and piezoelectric sensing technologies.
• Evaluate different sensor technologies and determine their suitability for the application.
• Investigate acoustic and vibration characteristics across different operating conditions.
• Assess background noise and environmental factors affecting sensor performance.
• Define key sensor requirements including sensitivity, frequency response and signal-to-noise ratio.
• Develop, refine and test sensor concepts and prototype assemblies.
• Design appropriate sensor mounting, packaging and environmental protection.
• Develop and carry out laboratory and field-based testing.
• Analyse test results and make recommendations for improving sensor performance.
• Support the transition from prototype development towards a commercially viable product.
• Produce technical documentation covering design decisions, testing, results and recommendations.
• Work closely with other technical stakeholders throughout the R&D process.

Required Experience

• Piezoelectric sensor design or application
• Acoustic and vibration sensing
• Sensor development and instrumentation
• Low-noise analogue electronics and signal conditioning
• Embedded sensing and data acquisition
• Digital signal processing (DSP)
• Acoustic or vibration analysis
• MEMS or other sensor technologies
• Mechanical design and sensor packaging
• Laboratory experimentation and prototype testing
• Product development from concept through to validation

Desirable Experience

• Acoustic or noise detection
• Condition monitoring or fault detection
• Structural health monitoring
• Industrial sensing technologies
• Development of sensing products for commercial applications
• Advanced signal processing or anomaly detection
• Machine learning applied to sensor data
• Taking sensor technology from R&D into manufacture

The Person

We’re looking for someone who is hands‑on, technically curious and comfortable working in an R&D environment.

You should be able to investigate a technical problem, assess different approaches, build and test prototypes, analyse results and make clear recommendations.

The role would suit someone from a Sensor Development, Electronics, Instrumentation, Acoustic, Vibration, R&D or Condition Monitoring background.

Deliverables

• Technology assessment and recommendations
• Sensor performance requirements
• Prototype sensor designs
• Test plans and validation results
• Technical documentation
• Recommendations for further development and commercialisation

Contract

3–6 month contract, starting ASAP, with clearly defined milestones, design reviews and reporting stages.

Contractors should be able to demonstrate relevant experience through previous sensor development, R&D, instrumentation, acoustic/vibration or related engineering projects