Instrumentation Engineer

UWMSN University of Wisconsin Madison; United States; On-site; USD 67,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Physical Sciences Laboratory seeks an Instrumentation Engineer II to provide electrical and mechanical engineering expertise across PSL projects. The role focuses on advanced instrumentation design, interface development, and system optimization for large-scale scientific equipment.

Ideal candidates bring five years of design experience in electrical/electronics engineering, plus proficiency with MATLAB, AutoCAD, Ignition, and SolidWorks.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years design experience in electrical or electronics engineering.
• Experience with modeling software, documentation tools, and project management software (MATLAB, AutoCAD, Ignition, SolidWorks or similar).
• Hands-on experience with PLCs, analog/digital equipment, sensors, and distributed control systems (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Develops user interface screens for the IceCube Upgrade project.
• Designs and optimizes electrical, mechanical, thermal systems and controls hardware.
• Collaborates with researchers, scientists, and industry partners on PSL projects.
• Prepares design status reports and supports reviews with stakeholders.

Skills

Electrical design experience

Modeling expertise

Engineering collaboration

Education

BS in Physics/EE/Mech

PhD (preferred)

Tools

MATLAB

AutoCAD

Ignition

SolidWorks

Job description

Job Details

Job Category: Academic Staff
Employment Type: Regular
Job Profile: Instrumentation Engineer II

Job Summary

The Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) is a research and development organization within the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. PSL develops unique instrumentation solutions used in scientific research programs all over the world. Our expertise spans the entire engineering process from initial conceptual design, through engineering development, fabrication, testing, and on-site installation. We have experience with projects at every scale and level of complexity. The Instrumentation Engineer position will provide the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering groups with expertise and advice on strategy, design, and plans for all PSL projects. Primary duties to include: the development of user interface screens for the IceCube Upgrade project, ultra-high vacuum and ultra-high purity technology, electrical/mechanical/thermal system design and optimization, and controls hardware. The position will communicate and collaborate with researchers, scientists, and faculty from the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus as well as private industry and international collaborators.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Conducts research and development of new processes, techniques, and approaches for use in advanced instrumentation systems in collaboration with scientists and other research staff
• Serves as part of a multidisciplinary team, conceptualizes, specifies, designs, constructs, integrates, operates, tests, calibrates, documents, and improves unique, large-scale instrumentation systems
• Supports or is directly responsible for efforts to coordinate project activities
• Provides innovative expertise and experience in an area of discipline
• Uses universally accepted computer design applications for modeling, sophisticated analysis, and optimization of large-scale design and fabrication efforts
• May supervise the daily activities of unit or program staff, identifies and facilitates staff training opportunities, and resolves routine personnel issues
• Supports efforts to identify problems, issues and needs, and provides solution options in support of strategic decision-making
• Prepares reports of design status and/or technical research for professional organizations, government/sponsor review boards, and design reviews
• Participates in reviews

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of five years design experience in electrical or electronics engineering
• Experience with modeling software, documentation tools, and project management software (MATLAB, AutoCAD, Ignition, SolidWorks or similar)

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience implementing programmable logic controllers (PLCs), analog and digital equipment, sensors, computer interfaces, and distributed control systems
• Experience integrating complex, high-performance electrical hardware and software in research environments
• Strong understanding of risk, ability to develop risk registers, compliance reporting, mitigation strategies and tools to keep personnel and equipment safe
• Strong experience with system-level design and control, mechanical and thermal system dynamics, hardware selection, schematics and documentation
• Experience with optics and optical detectors
• Programming experience

Education

Required: BS Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field

Preferred: PhD Physics, Engineering, or related technical field

Compensation

$74,154 minimum. Salary commensurate with experience

Contact Information

Elizabeth Danielak [e-mail]

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