Research and Development Engineer

University of California - Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full Benefits

Job summary

The Research and Development Engineer at UCSB's Physics Department focuses on designing and fabricating analog and digital electronic systems and supporting mechanical systems for experiments, often using embedded processors. You will work with Siemens NX and PCB layout tools and mentor students in a collaborative lab environment.

This 100% time exempt position in Broida Hall offers full benefits, a competitive salary, and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge astrophysics research while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physics or engineering or related field.
• 5 years of experience in Python and Micro-Python computing language.
• 5 years of experience collaborating with others in interfacing C++ to Python codes.
• 3-5 years of experience utilizing CAD/CAM software in development of engineering drawings.
• 3-5 years of experience with development, design, and fabrication of various analog and digital electronic systems.
• 3-5 years of experience utilizing modern electronics design tools for both the electronics (circuit design and PCB layout).
• 3-5 years of experience leading a team of people on a technical project.

Responsibilities

• 60% Design, fabrication, and testing of analog & digital circuits.
• 20% Design & fabrication in collaboration with outside vendors.
• 10% Design utilizing CAD/CAM tools (Siemens NX / SolidWorks) for enclosures.
• 10% Mentoring & training students in the lab.

Skills

Python

C++ interfacing with Python

Embedded processing

Electronics design

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics or engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

Altium

Job description

Job Posting Details

Position Number: 41061333

Payroll Title: RSCH AND DEV ENGR 3 TX (004758)

Job Code: 004758

Job Open Date: 8/6/2026

Application Review Begins: 8/21/2026

Department Code (Name): PHYS (PHYSICS DEPT)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): TX-Technical Professionals

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $89,679.60 to $127,159.20 /year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $89,679.60 to $164,638.80 /year.

Work Location: Broida Hall - Room 1509

Working Days and Hours: Mon-Fri; 8 am - 5 pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Department Marketing Statement

The Physics Department is widely regarded as one of the premier physics departments in the world. UCSB's Physics faculty include four Nobel Laureates, 16 memberships of the National Academies, and a host of award-winning faculty. UCSB's relatively small Physics Department is now ranked among the top 10 graduate programs in the Nation. The complexity of the Department is represented by the provision of a broad set of support services: administrative, student affairs, extramural grant administration, staff support for instructional lecture and laboratory courses, outreach activities, computing services, a machine shop that supports student and faculty research, and a storeroom and purchasing staff that serve many campus departments. To learn more about our department, visit: www.physics.ucsb.edu

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties

The Research and Development Engineer serves the needs of a research group with a diverse set of interests related primarily to astrophysics. Focuses on the design and fabrication of a wide variety of analog and digital electronics systems as well as the supporting mechanical systems for which the electronics are designed. Many of the system designs will utilize embedded processing units. Uses a high level of electronics expertise with modern design tools for both the electronics (circuit design and PCB layout) as well a high level of expertise with mechanical design tools such as Siemens NX and related design tools. Interfaces and mentors undergraduate and graduate students. Participates in multiple meetings with the group researchers and students are required each week. Some support of remote instrument siting at the high-altitude station will also be expected on occasion.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physics or engineering or a related field.
• 5 years of experience in Python and micro-Python computing language
• 5 years of experience collaborating with others in interfacing C++ to Python codes
• 3-5 years of experience utilizing CAD/CAM software in development of engineering drawings.
• 3-5 years of experience with development, design, and fabrication of various analog and digital electronic systems.
• 3-5 years of experience utilizing modern electronics design tools for both the electronics (circuit design and PCB layout).
• 3-5 years of experience leading a team of people on a technical project.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge associated with development, design and fabrication of electronic systems.
• Possess a high level of electronics expertise with modern design tools for both the electronics (circuit design and PCB layout) as well as with mechanical design tools such as Siemens NX and related design tools.

Special Conditions of Employment

• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time

• 60% Design, Fabrication, and Testing of Analog & Digital Circuits. - Designs, fabricates via prototyping and testing of both analog and digital circuits using advanced software such as Altium or Cadence. Analog systems consist of a wide variety of circuit design including: a. Low noise amplifiers from DC to 10 GHz b. Servo amplifier designs for a wide variety of motion control systems such as precision voice coil actuators for sub-micron resolution positioning c. Power supplies (both switching and linear) from low voltage (<12 VDC) to 1kVDC d. Power supplies suitable for both terrestrial land space, including lunar deployment e. Capability to work with both conductive and convective cooling systems for linear, switching and high power (KW and above) high voltage systems (up to 1 kVDC) Digital systems consist of a wide variety of circuits including: f. Digitally controlled switch power supplies from DC to 1 kVDC g. Digital motion control servo systems for use on micro level control actuators for photonics as well as macroscopic pointing systems such as small (sub meter) telescopes h. Digital encoders for sub arc-second pointing i. Embedded control systems including Arduino, Raspberry Pi and similar modern embedded processors j. ADC, DAC and digital I/O for both embedded computers as well as conventional PC's (generally Linux and Windows OS)
• 20% Design & Fabrication in Collaboration with Outside Vendors - Designs, fabricates via outside PCB vendors and testing of complex typically 6+ layer printed circuit boards for both analog and digital circuits using both surface mount (primarily) with some mixed thru-hole and hybrid attached electronics. Works with modern rapid assembly electronics vendors to make PCB along with interfacing on suitable parts for pick and place assembly by these vendors. Performs surface mount assembly and repair of designed PCBs.
• 10% Design Utilizing CAD/CAM - Performs a wide variety of combined mechanical and electronics systems designs utilizing Siemens NX and/or Solidworks, including designing mechanical enclosures for the electronic designs as well as the ability to design large (multi-meter class) systems for optical units such as telescopes that our group uses.
• 10% Mentoring & Training Students - Works with and instructs students and assists with their education in modern electronics in the research lab (where students participate). Assists students with high end CAD/CAM software such as Siemens NX.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.

As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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