Research Engineer - Software And/Or Firmware Development

SkuTek Instrumentation has an opening for a Research Engineer to work on development of scientific data acquisition instruments and large volume data management software systems for experimental nuclear physics, high energy physics, particle astrophysics, and related fields. We work in close partnership with research communities at National Labs and universities. The successful candidate will help develop Data Acquisition instruments. The focus will include firmware for field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), embedded real time software, testing the firmware and software with actual data acquisition hardware, and software for efficient data storage, management, and transmission. The position is appropriate for a junior computer-savvy and instrument-savvy physicist, astronomer, electrical engineer, or computer scientist. We expect fast on-job learning of essential techniques (e.g., firmware and embedded software development, testing and debugging electronic boards, advanced programming, setting up particle detectors, etc.). The mid-career and late-career persons are also encouraged to apply.

Please apply to this position even if you do not have some of the listed skills. We will encourage on the job learning. Our workplace is very collaborative.

Skills And Qualifications:

• A degree in Physics, Astronomy, or Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• Hands-on experience with physics instrumentation.
• Familiarity with detectors of particles, gamma rays, X-rays, or visual photons (phototubes, scintillators, semiconductor detectors, photodiodes, etc.).
• At least basic knowledge of electrical circuits.
• Familiarity with digital Data Acquisition and signal processing electronics in the fields mentioned above.
• Familiarity with data analysis in the fields mentioned above.
• Familiarity with firmware programming with VHDL / Verilog.
• Programming embedded processor cores (device drivers, interrupt handlers, etc).
• Experience with programming under Windows and Linux.

Technical R&D Development Areas:

• Assembling and working with particle and gamma-ray detectors.
• Troubleshooting the instruments, making use of schematics and PCB layout.
• Troubleshooting FPGA firmware using VHDL and Verilog.
• Interface embedded processors with firmware and hardware.
• Developing software for Linux and Windows (shell scripts, GUI’s , C/C++, Python, etc).

Other Duties:

• Perform basic IT services (help with maintaining company website and systems).
• Maintain and organize software in GitLab.

• Contribute to writing documentation and technical notes for company products.

How you can better prepare for the interview:

Please visit our website before talking to us. Do not hesitate to ask questions by sending an e-mail to the address below.

Legal status:

We cannot sponsor permanent residency for temporary visa holders.

How to apply:

Please send an e-mail to jobs@skutek.com. Please include the following:

1. Your CV or resume.
2. Cover Letter describing who you are, what are your goals, and how you’d contribute to the company. Please describe how your education, skills, interests, and experience will help you advance your professional and personal goals in the described areas. Please provide descriptions of extra-curriculars demonstrating your qualifications and problem-solving ability. Applications lacking the cover letter will be rejected. Please do not send us a boilerplate letter.
3. A statement regarding your ability to legally work in the United States.
4. Be prepared to provide three professional references upon request.

Salary Min:  $80,000 (USD)

Salary Max:  $110,000 (USD)