Research Engineer

University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas invites applications for an Electronics Design Engineer to join the Instrumentation Design Laboratory. The role focuses on designing and deploying instruments and computing systems for engineering and science collaborations.

The position involves real-time embedded programming, high‑speed PCB layouts, FPGA/CPLD work, prototype testing, and multi‑institution project participation, with opportunities to mentor technicians and contribute to cross‑disciplinary research.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with relevant engineering experience or higher.
• 3 years in engineering research related occupation including analogue and digital circuit design, embedded C/C++, PCB layout, and FPGA/CPLD.

Responsibilities

• Real-time programming for data acquisition and control on ARM, AVR, Arduino or Raspberry Pi platforms.
• Electronic circuit design and high-speed PCB layouts with multi-layer boards.
• Prototype fabrication, testing, and developing test protocols with oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers.
• 3D CAD modeling for instrument packaging and assembly.
• PC application development and collaboration in multi-institution projects.
• Supervise technicians and participate in project planning meetings.

Skills

Embedded systems programming in C/C++

Analog circuit design

Digital circuit design

PCB design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering or related field

Tools

PCB CAD tools

Oscilloscope

Spectrum analyzer

FPGA/CPLD implementation

PIC microcontroller

Job description

Position Overview

The Electronics Design Engineer (EDE) is a member of the design and development team of the Instrumentation Design Laboratory at the University of Kansas. The mission of the Laboratory is design and development of custom instruments and computing systems for research groups in engineering and the natural sciences. The EDE applies advanced knowledge of scientific research and engineering principles and practices in broad areas of assignments. The EDE will participate in the joint design, development, and deployment of instrumentation for international collaborations.

Job Description

• 20% - Real-Time Programming: Programs will be written for real-time data acquisition and control in an Embedded System environment. Typical platforms use ARM, Atmel AVR devices and Arduino and RPi boards. As skills allow, Field-Programmable Gate Arrays will be supported. A very good understanding of Hardware Description Languages will be required as well as an understanding of the FPGA architecture.
• 15% - Electronic Circuit Design: Designs the electronic circuits and systems used in an instrument, utilizing advanced knowledge of design principles and of advanced integrated circuits, programmable logic, and microprocessors. Extremely complex and varied problems will be encountered requiring creativity, foresight, and mature judgment.
• 15% - Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Design: Designs and lays out high-performance PCBs. Advanced concepts of layout design are required for achieving very low noise and very high speed, often with controlled-impedance traces. Multi-layer boards (typically 2-6 layers) are required. Boards will be laid out using CAD.
• 15% - Fabrication and prototype testing: Electronics components often will be hand-mounted on prototype PCBs. These include high-density integrated circuits. Testing circuits will involve devising test protocols and using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.
• 10% - 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD), modeling and 3d printing for packaging of instrumentation electronics in appropriate mounts and housings will be required.
• 10% - Application development for PCs
• 5% - Supervision: Engineering technicians and assistants may be assigned tasks on projects being designed and built.
• 5% - Multi-institutional Project Development: Participates in multi-institutional planning meetings.
• 5% - Completion of other duties as required for the mission of the Instrumentation Design Laboratory.

Required Qualifications

• High school/GED and 5 years related experience OR Associate's degree with 3 years related experience OR Bachelor's degree with 1 year of related experience OR Master's degree in Electronics Engineering or related field.
• 3 years of experience in an engineering research related occupation, including 6 months of experience working with the following: analogue circuit design; digital circuit design; C/C++ programming for embedded systems; printed circuit board layout; high speed data acquisition design; microcontroller such as a PIC series processor; FPGA or CPLD implementation; development of scientific instrumentation; and circuit debugging.

Preferred Qualifications

• Radio frequency design experience.
• Experience with microcontroller-implemented designs.
• Programming skills in the following languages: C/C++, C#, LabVIEW, MatLab/Simulink, Python.
• Experience with development of scientific instrumentation.
• Experience in a basic science research laboratory.

Contact Information to Applicants

Christian Hornhuber
[e-mail]
785-864-4626

Advertised Salary Range

$69,500 to $75,000

Application Review Begins

Monday January 4, 2027

Anticipated Start Date

Monday February 1, 2027