Principal Electrical Engineer

Nordson; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Nordson’s Optical Sensors and Metrology group in Golden Valley, MN seeks a Principal Electrical Engineer to shape architectures for next-generation inspection and metrology sensors. You will guide concepts to production, collaborating across optical, mechanical, software, and algorithm teams to deliver high-performance sensing solutions.

You will mentor engineers, address technical risks early, and lead cross-functional efforts to optimize complete sensing systems for measurable customer value.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of product development experience in electrical engineering, sensing systems, instrumentation, embedded electronics, or related technologies.
• Experience leading complex projects and influencing engineering direction across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience developing products from concept through production release.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering; Master's preferred.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze complex technical issues and develop practical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical architecture decisions balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule.
• Collaborate with optical, mechanical, software, and algorithm teams to develop integrated sensing solutions.
• Design electronic circuits for sensing physical phenomena such as capacitance, temperature, humidity, light, vibration, and more.
• Perform verification testing to confirm compliance to product specifications.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship across multiple development programs and engineering disciplines.
• Identify technical risks early and drive mitigation strategies throughout the product lifecycle.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Systems thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree

Tools

SPICE

MATLAB

Embedded processors

FPGA development

DSP

Real-time systems

Wireless technologies

High-speed digital interfaces

Job description

Summary of the role

As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment, where your ideas and contributions will be valued and respected.

Role

Principal Electrical Engineer

Location

Golden Valley, MN

Division

OSM

Department

Engineering, Electrical Team

Position Summary

The Optical Sensors and Metrology (OSM) group within Nordon's Advanced Technology Solutions division is a world leader in 2D and 3D sensing solutions for challenging electronics and semiconductor manufacturing applications. Chances are the device you are using right now contains components that were inspected using Nordson technology.

Our engineers collaborate across optical, electrical, mechanical, algorithm and software disciplines to develop industry-leading sensing and metrology solutions that help customers improve yield, quality, and manufacturing performance.

We are seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to provide technical leadership in the development of next-generation inspection and metrology sensors. In this role, you will help define system architectures, solve complex technical challenges, and guide products from concept through production.

Success in this role requires strong collaboration across optical, mechanical, software, and algorithm teams to optimize complete sensing systems rather than individual components. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to transform innovative ideas into high-performance products that deliver measurable customer value.

This is an individual contributor role with significant technical leadership, cross-functional influence, and mentoring responsibilities.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead electrical architecture decisions and trade studies balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule.
• Collaborate with optical, mechanical, software, and algorithm teams to develop integrated sensing solutions.
• Design electronic circuits for products that sense physical phenomenon such as capacitance, temperature, humidity, light, vibration, inclination, gases, particles, resistivity, and more.
• Solve challenging technical problems through innovative design, simulation, prototype development, and feasibility studies.
• Interpret internal and customer requirements and translate those into product specifications and design concepts.
• Supervise PCB layouts that package electronics into challenging spaces and environments (temperature and vacuum) that often require high performance materials.
• Perform verification testing of designs to confirm compliance to product specifications.
• Design products that comply with CE and other applicable international regulatory requirements.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship across multiple development programs and engineering disciplines.
• Identify technical risks early and drive mitigation strategies throughout the product lifecycle.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline; Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of product development experience in electrical engineering, sensing systems, instrumentation, embedded electronics, or related technologies.
• Demonstrated success leading complex projects, and influencing engineering direction across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience developing products from concept through production release.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze complex technical issues and develop practical solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing high-performance analog, mixed-signal, or data acquisition systems.
• Experience with embedded processors, FPGA development, digital signal processing, or real-time system architectures.
• Experience with wireless communication technologies and high-speed digital interfaces.
• Experience with simulation, modeling, and analysis tools such as SPICE or MATLAB.
• Experience designing low-noise power systems, battery-powered products, or power management circuitry.
• Experience developing electronics for optical sensing, imaging, illumination, or metrology applications.
• Note: We recognize that successful candidates may not meet every preferred qualification listed above. If your experience aligns with the core requirements and you are excited about the opportunity,

Working Conditions

• Regular on-site presence is required for integration, experimentation, and testing.
• Occasional travel to suppliers, manufacturing sites, or customer locations is expected, generally less than 10%.
• Ability to perform hands‑on assembly and alignment activities and lift equipment or assemblies weighing up to 35 pounds.

Company Culture

Nordson Electronics Solutions, a global leader in assembly and advanced packaging stage solutions, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we are looking for candidates who share that same commitment.