Senior Electrical Engineer Motion-Control & Encoder Systems

novanta; Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Job summary

Novanta seeks a Senior Electrical Engineer to design, simulate, and test mixed-signal electronics for motion-control sensors and encoders. You will collaborate with optical, firmware, mechanical, and cross-functional teams to refine requirements and ensure product performance.

Responsibilities include developing PCBs, troubleshooting, validating subsystems, and maintaining documentation. You will support supplier quality and apply engineering principles to improve reliability and functionality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of relevant electrical engineering experience focused on mixed-signal circuit design, development, and testing.
• Proficiency in analog and digital electronics design, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in laboratory skills, including setting up and running experiments.
• Proficiency with laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, USB logic analyzers, and signal generators.
• Proficiency with Altium PCB design tools and methodologies.
• Proficiency with LTspice or comparable simulation tools.
• Knowledge of EtherCAT, BiSS-C, SPI, and SSI.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and a detail‑oriented mindset.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary engineering team.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and validate electronics for mixed-signal systems, motion-control sensors, and encoder technologies.
• Lead the design and development of optical encoder electronics and sensing systems for precision motion-control applications.
• Develop photodiode interface circuits, LED/VCSEL drive electronics, and analog front-end signal-conditioning circuits.
• Analyze and optimize encoder signal quality, including amplitude balance, phase error, harmonics, noise performance, and interpolation accuracy.
• Collaborate with optical, mechanical, firmware, and manufacturing teams to achieve system-level performance objectives.
• Develop and review PCB layouts to ensure electrical, mechanical, and project alignment.
• Conduct troubleshooting and diagnostic testing to ensure the performance and reliability of components and subsystems.
• Participate in system-level testing and deliver detailed written analysis reports.
• Work with technical leads and cross-functional engineering teams to support system integration and product development activities.
• Document system designs, test results, and engineering processes to maintain robust technical records and promote knowledge sharing.

Skills

Mixed-signal design

Analog & digital design

Circuit testing

Altium

LTspice

Oscilloscope

Logic Analyzer

SPI

SSI

MATLAB

Python

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

LTspice

Oscilloscope

Logic Analyzer

MATLAB

Python

C++ Embedded

Job description

Novanta seeks a Senior Electrical Engineer to design, simulate, and test mixed-signal electronics for motion-control sensors and encoders. You will collaborate with optical, firmware, mechanical, and cross-functional teams to refine requirements and ensure product performance.

Responsibilities include developing PCBs, troubleshooting, validating subsystems, and maintaining documentation. You will support supplier quality and apply engineering principles to improve reliability and functionality.