Electrical Engineer

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Woods Hole (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Electrical Engineer to join their Chemical Sensors Lab. This full-time role offers a unique opportunity to work on innovative projects focused on developing biogeochemical sensors for ocean and environmental applications. Candidates will engage in designing, prototyping, and testing sensor systems while collaborating with a cross-disciplinary team. Ideal applicants will possess a solid background in electrical engineering, creativity, and a passion for research. Join a team that values innovation and offers a supportive environment for early career professionals eager to make an impact in ocean technology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience required.
• Experience in ocean technology or analytical techniques preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate PCBs for various applications.
• Program embedded systems and analyze data with Matlab or Python.
• Field test sensors and participate in research cruises.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Signal Processing

Technical Documentation

Programming in Python

Programming in C/C++

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Master's in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PCB CAD Software

Matlab

Job description

Job Summary

The Chemical Sensors Lab in the Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering Department is currently seeking an Electrical Engineer to collaborate with a cross-disciplinary team focused on developing biogeochemical sensors and instrumentation for ocean and environmental applications. The role involves designing, prototyping, testing, and characterizing sensor systems, leading electrical engineering tasks including board design and fabrication, and deploying sensors at sea. Familiarity with optics or optical sensing and ocean sensors is a plus. Strong technical documentation skills and a desire to innovate are required. This is a full-time, exempt position eligible for benefits.

This entry to early career position aims to connect academic training with practical research activities. The candidate will initially work under supervision with structured objectives, with opportunities to take on broader, independent tasks. The role requires creativity, independent thinking, and a solid understanding of research and engineering principles. Candidates should have an electrical engineering background through a degree or equivalent experience.

The internal title may be Engineer I or Engineer II, with the final level determined by education and experience.

Job Description

Responsibilities will depend on the applicant's skills and may include:

1. Designing and fabricating PCBs for power, signals, communication, and microprocessors.
2. Using standard PCB CAD software.
3. Applying signal processing techniques.
4. Assembling electrical components of sensors.
5. Programming embedded systems in Python, C, or C++.
6. Testing and calibrating sensors and instrumentation in the lab.
7. Field testing sensors and instrumentation.
8. Analyzing data with Matlab or Python and documenting results.
9. Traveling for field testing, research cruises up to 5 weeks, up to three times a year.

Additional Requirements

Education and Experience

Bachelor's in electrical engineering with minimal experience or equivalent experience (minimum 3 years), especially in analytical techniques or ocean tech, is preferred. For Engineer I, a bachelor's degree and entry-level experience; for Engineer II, 2+ years of related experience or a master's degree.

Special Requirements: Ability to obtain a TWIC card.

Physical and Sea Duty Requirements: Ability to lift less than 25 lbs, work in various environmental conditions, and participate in sea cruises. Must be able to climb ladders, work in confined spaces, and endure challenging weather conditions. Sea duty involves working on ships with basic living conditions, potentially in remote or harsh environments.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged.

EEO Statement

WHOI provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.