Electrical Engineer

Hamilton Company; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamilton Company, Cerillo subsidiary in Charlottesville, VA, develops compact microplate readers and real-time monitoring systems for life sciences researchers. We seek an Electrical Engineer to design, develop, and test electronics powering these instruments.

You will work at the intersection of analog/digital circuitry, embedded firmware, and regulatory compliance, collaborating with mechanical and optical engineers to deliver robust lab instruments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required; Master's preferred.
• 3+ years in hardware/electronics design, preferably in medical devices or biotech.
• Experience with PCB layout and signal integrity testing.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate analog and digital circuitry for precision measurement systems.
• Develop embedded firmware for microcontrollers managing sensors and data communication.
• Conduct electrical and functional testing, including EMC/EMI evaluation.
• Collaborate with mechanical/optical engineers to integrate electronics into robust enclosures.
• Support design for manufacturability and testability with contract manufacturers.
• Maintain design documentation and assist in regulatory submissions as needed.

Skills

PCB design

Analog circuit design

Firmware in C/C++

Embedded MCUs

Optical sensing

Communication protocols

EMC/EMI testing

DFM/DFT

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Altium Designer

KiCad

LTSpice

Job description

Company Overview

Hamilton Company is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of manual, semi-automated and robotic products for precision fluid measuring. We specialize in the development, manufacturing and customization of precision measurement devices, automated liquid handling stations, and sample management systems. For more than 60 years, Hamilton has been satisfying customer needs by combining quality materials with skilled workmanship, ensuring the highest level of performance of every precision fluid measuring device we manufacture.

Responsibilities

Cerillo is a Charlottesville, VA-based HAMILTON Company subsidiary focused on advancing human, environmental, and ecological health through its suite of innovative laboratory instrumentation. Through its Rayo platform of compact, precision microplate readers and the Canopy real-time monitoring system, Cerillo equips academic, government, and biotech/pharma researchers with affordable, accessible tools that ensure consistency and reproducibility.

The Electrical Engineer is a core member of the Engineering team responsible for designing, developing, and testing the electronic systems and PCB hardware that power Cerillo's compact microplate readers. The Electrical Engineer works at the intersection of optics, embedded systems, and precision analog design, collaborating closely with mechanical and optical engineers to deliver innovative, reliable lab instruments for the life sciences market.

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Design, develop, and validate analog and digital circuitry for precision absorbance measurement systems, including photodetector amplifiers, LED drive circuits, gas-discharge and arc lamp power supplies, and multi-wavelength optical sensing electronics
• Develop embedded firmware (C/C++) for microcontrollers managing sensor acquisition, data processing, and wireless/USB communication
• Conduct electrical and functional testing, including noise analysis, signal integrity, EMC/EMI evaluation, and regulatory pre-compliance testing
• Collaborate with mechanical and optical engineers to integrate electronics into compact, environmentally robust enclosures suitable for anaerobic chambers, incubators, and field use
• Perform PCB layout, including noise management, impedance control, and thermal management
• Support design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for testability (DFT) activities, working with contract manufacturers and suppliers
• Troubleshoot and debug hardware issues at the board and system level throughout development and production
• Maintain detailed design documentation including schematics, BOMs, design history files, and test protocols
• Assist in the selection and qualification of electrical components and subassemblies
• Support regulatory submissions (FCC, CE, UL) as needed
• Contribute to product roadmap planning and provide engineering input on new product concepts
• Perform ad-hoc engineering tasks as directed by the Chief Executive Officer and/or Engineering leadership

Qualifications

• Proficiency in PCB design tools (Altium Designer, KiCad, or equivalent) and EDA simulation tools (LTSpice or equivalent)
• Experience with analog circuit design: transimpedance amplifiers, low-noise signal conditioning, ADC interfaces, and power management
• Experience with embedded microcontroller platforms (AVR, STM32, ARM Cortex, or similar) and firmware development in C/C++
• Familiarity with optical sensing systems, photodiodes, and LED drive circuits is strongly preferred
• Knowledge of internal and external digital communication protocols: I2C, SPI, UART, USB, ZigBee, Bluetooth/BLE
• Experience with test equipment: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and precision multimeters
• Familiarity with regulatory standards (FCC Part 15, CE marking, IEC 61010) preferred
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced startup environment

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field required; Master's degree preferred
• 3+ years of experience in hardware/electronics design, preferably in medical devices, scientific instrumentation, or biotech

About Hamilton

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral

EEO - It is the policy of this organization to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age 40 and over, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, citizenship status, religious preference, or veteran status in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Mid Salary