Senior Instrumentation Engineer

Senior Instrumentation Engineer

University of Alberta

SCI Physics

Competition No. - A107849209

Closing Date - Jan 20, 2023

 

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Trust/Research Academic Staff Agreement, this position has an approximate appointment of 3 years from the date of hire and offers a comprehensive benefits package found at Faculty & Staff Benefits and an annual salary range of $74,084 to $101,888 based on qualifications and experience.

Location

Work primarily takes place in person at North Campus Edmonton.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Metis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

 

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for over a decade.

 

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

 

Department/Faculty Summary

The Space Physics group at the University of Alberta uses data from ground-based networks of instruments together with satellite data to study the effects of the sun on our near-earth space environment or “Space Weather”. The group is leading a major collaborative project to build, launch and operate a scientific satellite. The RADiation Impacts on Climate and Atmospheric Loss Satellite (RADICALS) will carry a payload of four scientific instruments, two of which will be developed and built by the magnetometer team in the Space Physics group.

Position Summary

The Senior Instrumentation Engineer will play a leading role in the design, development, assembly, integration and testing of the fluxgate magnetometer (FGM) and search coil magnetometer (SCM) payloads for the RADICALS. Building on existing designs developed by the group, they will use their engineering skills to produce high-quality, reliable instruments that meet the mission requirements. This position requires excellent interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills to work collaboratively within the overall RADICALS project team, a team of more than 12 individuals with a wide range of experience and scientific and technical backgrounds.

Duties

Complete the development, build and test of the fluxgate magnetometer (FGM) and Search Coil Magnetometer (SCM) payloads for the RADICALS satellite mission, including the following tasks:

• Modify existing circuit designs to optimize performance and meet the payload interface requirements and space PA/QA requirements.

• Lead the construction of breadboard, engineering and flight hardware.

• Perform laboratory testing and characterization of updated prototype, engineering, and flight models.

• Modify and create FPGA code to improve performance and ensure that the magnetometers meet mission requirements.

• Lead the design of the data acquisition unit for the search coil magnetometer.

Liaise with internal and external stakeholders and contractors, including:

• The RADICALS Project Office.

• The RADICALS Industrial contractor regarding instrument development support, PA/QA, space-grade part selection and environment testing.

• The Canadian Space Agency regarding engineering support and design review participation.

• The INSPIRE consortium through mentoring of the student team at the UofA.

UofA and external machine shops and other facilities for prototyping.

 

• PC8B manufacturers/assemblers and component suppliers.

• Supervise and mentor the Junior Instrumentation Engineer (EIT).

• Prepare and update formal instrument documentation including instrument specification, documents, design documents and test/qualification reports under the direction of the Instrument Lead and the RADICALS Project manager.

• Prepare and present monthly progress reports and give status updates at the routine project-level meetings.

• Support instrument and payload-level reviews by preparing materials for presentation for both magnetometer development streams.

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

• Bachelor's degree in an electronics-related discipline.

• Professional Engineer (PEng) designation or eligibility for registration with APEGA.

• Minimum of five years and ideally at least ten years of experience in electronics design and hardware development, preferably in space-related projects.

• Expertise with electronics circuit board design software (e.g., Eagle, Altium).

• Experience of FPGA programming.

• Experience in the design of data acquisition hardware and software.

• Proficiency in a Windows computer environment and a working knowledge of various programs and information technology skills, including Microsoft Office applications.

• Demonstrated ability to work within a tight schedule and meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to take a leadership role and work within a team environment.

• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• A relevant Postgraduate degree would be an asset.

• Experience in designing scientific instrumentation, especially in a space application.

• Experience with magnetic field sensors.

• Experience with CAD software.

• Experience with scientific numerical analysis packages such as MATLAB or IDL.

• Experience in testing, validation and qualification for space applications.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents cannot be found, other individuals will be considered. The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, Metis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

 

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/3741386

 

The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, Metis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

 

Copyright ©2022 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.