UBC Physics & Astronomy Job Opportunities

POSITION FUNCTION:

The Electronics Engineer manages the Electronics Lab (E-Lab), ensures the provision of provision of high quality electronics services within the Department and is responsible for the planning and development of highly advanced equipment. The Electronic Engineer must be highly skilled electronics designer, have a wide knowledge of various specialist fields within electronics (details given later) and will be responsible for a variety of assignments within the field of electronics.

WORK PERFORMED:

The Electronic Engineer:

1. designs and develops systems, methods or equipment to meet objectives in electronic engineering projects such as low noise analogue circuits, data acquisition (DAQ), opto-electronics, power electronics, digital signal processing (DSP), filtering, electro-magnetic interference (EMI) reduction and suppression, radio frequency circuits, microwave circuitry etc.
2. elaborates conceptual solutions during the design phase of projects, determines and directs project needs and resources, provides reference material on specialised topics, prepares manuals and technical instructions, organises and checks the completeness and correctness of documentation supplied to customers.
3. Conducts research on recent developments in the field of electronics, in order to remain abreast of state-of-the art technology and / or devices such as FPGAs.
4. leads and manages development within the E-Lab, including supervisory responsibility for 2 full time Engineering Technicians, budget oversight as well as the cost recovery of project hours and project related expenditure.
5. assigns, schedules and directs work related to the design and development of electronic circuitry and systems specifying performance targets to be achieved and methods to be utilised.
6. organises the E-Lab procedures to meet departmental requirements for electronic services.
7. provides advice on acquisition of new system(s) or system construction incorporating new equipment available in the market to faculty, staff and graduate students and is a departmental point of reference for questions related to electronics. Such services could include but are not limited to: advice on component selection for specific applications (e.g. low temperature experiments), consulting and advising users on planned and present projects regarding equipment, systems and facilities and engineering, as reviewer for electronics designs done elsewhere within the Department, or as a reviewer for software (firmware) code written elsewhere within the Department. Consultation is provided to Faculty, Staff and students.
8. Co-ordinates testing, installation, maintenance and trouble shooting of new, existing or modified systems and equipment. These activities cover both commercially available products as well as custom designed solutions from the E-Lab, and may be carried out either in E-Lab work spaces or in the laboratories of research groups.
9. trains technical staff in relevant topics in the field of electronics
10. may be involved in teaching students about electronics, either directly or indirectly by providing relevant material and / or advice to Faculty. This could also include developing suitable projects for undergraduate and graduate courses.
11. makes sure the needs of teaching labs are met, and that appropriate preventative maintenance on custom designed electronics therein is carried out. 13. is responsible for implementing and maintaining high technical standards within the E-Lab.
12. determines which components the E-Lab stocks in order to provide a high level of research and teaching support, in line with current technology trends.
13. maintains and routinely upgrades a comprehensive technical library of catalogues, data sheets and application notes. Purchases an appropriate amount of textbooks for E-Lab use.
14. makes certain the E-Lab possesses appropriate infrastructure, equipment, tools and computers to meet customers needs.
15. assesses the compliance of electronics equipment produced in house to applicable electrical safety standards and initiates corrective action where needed.
16. Serves on various committees in the Department e.g. Technical Services Committee.

In order to effectively carry out the work described in the preceding list, the Electronic Engineer must possess a broad range of skill sets covering, but not limited to, the following: Excellent technical knowledge in specialised electronics fields mentioned previously in point (1). Excellent theoretical problem solving abilities. Solid knowledge of PCB fabrication and population techniques. FPGAs: familiarity with major hardware platforms (XlinX, Altera), programming tools and languages (VHDL, Verilog). Electromagnetic interference (EMI) suppression techniques, design rules to be followed etc. Common CAD packages for schematic capture and PCB layout. The ability to simulate circuit performance would be an asset. Familiarity with common electronics equipment and tools e.g. oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum and logic analyzers etc. Broad knowledge of electronics components, including performance characteristics, suppliers. relative pricing w.r.t. competing technologies, etc. Mechanical packaging of electronics and electromechanical systems. Control systems experience: PID loops, feedback from various types of sensors and encoders. Hands on experience of debugging and repair of electronic systems. Understanding of practical environmental limitations of components and systems e.g. admissible humidity and temperature ranges for given technologies. Electronics good manufacturing practises e.g. electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions.

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:

The E-Lab is a crucial internal resource whose main duties consist of electronics design (analogue and digital), system and / or equipment design, assembly and test of small batches of custom solutions, systems integration, troubleshooting / repair of equipment, software (firmware) development and internal consultation services on electronics matters.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to:

Technical Services Director

Supervises:

2 full time Engineering Technician 4s in the E-Lab; May be required to supervise temporarily assigned technicians and / or placement students

Frequently works with:

Faculty and their staff on projects, consultation and equipment maintenance or repair
Technical Services Director on timing, resource and budgetary matters

Occasionally works with:

Mechanical Services (machine shop) staff
Shared Technical Services
IT Services
Teaching lab technicians
Engineering Physics lab staff
Grant funded technicians
Director, Finances & Operations
Human Resources Manager
Administrative staff

Contacts:

External vendors
Equivalent electronics services managers in other faculties
Possible need for input from external consultants on specialised technical matters

EXERCISING JUDGMENT / IMPACT OF DECISIONS / CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR/:

Excellent technical judgement is needed to the solve complex, abstract problems addressed to the E-Lab.

The Electronic Engineer decides on all technical matters related to project work, in collaboration with the researcher or research group concerned. Decision making freedom may be delegated to Engineering Technicians at the discretion of the Electronics Engineer, but oversight over such decision must be maintained.

Poor choices of conceptual strategy and/or technologies could negatively affect departmental efficiency, slow the progress of research projects, waste money, compromise research funding initiatives and disrupt teaching lab schedules. A failure to keep pace with technological developments would see the E-Lab become unable to efficiently meet researchers needs over time.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

As a specialist in the field of electronics, the Electronics Engineer and is able to deal with complex technical matters without routinely having to rely on outside assistance and handles all incoming technical requests to the E-Lab autonomously.

Work direction is received from the Technical Services Committee and the Technical Services Director.

Administrative assistance is provided by the Technical Services Director, with the assistance of the Director, Finance and Operation and the Human Resources Manager if required.

SUPERVISION GIVEN:

Supervises and coordinates the work carried out by 2 Engineering Technicians in the E-Lab. May also be required to supervise temporarily assigned technicians and / or placement students.

This supervision includes, but is not limited to, day-to-day direction of project work, oversight of purchasing activities, resource allocation, training and annual performance reviews.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

ELECTRONICS:

University degree (Masters or higher preferred) in electronic engineering plus minimum 10 years of practical experience in an industrial or university research environment working with high technology electronics systems.

Solid knowledge in such branches of the profession as: scientific electronic instrumentation, opto-electronics, radio frequency, microwave, high voltage, power electronics, analogue and digital electronics, x-ray, laser and superconductive magnet technologies, electromagnetic interference, commonly used integrated components (IC) and associated assembly methods, PCB fabrication techniques, appropriate grounding schemes, separation of power and signal lines, use of laboratory equipment.

COMMUNICATION AND MANAGERIAL SKILLS:

Effective oral and written communication, problem-solving, interpersonal and organizational skills. Ability to carry out design and experimental work and to apply engineering technical knowledge and specialized techniques in resolving complex design problems under broad direction.

Minimum 3 years experience in providing strong, effective and supportive management of electronic engineers or technical staff in a comparable environment. Ability to supervise and coordinate the work of others.

Demonstrated ability in effective team building and conflict resolution.

GENERAL

Should have a broad range of technical knowledge spanning electronics, (electro)mechanics and computers.

Engineering experience in design, development, maintenance, production management, vendor specification, supervision and administrative duties.

Ability to adapt to the latest technological advancements and apply them to the field of scientific instrumentation.

A solid, broad-based understanding of computer technology and IT infrastructure is required.

Canadian Professional Engineer status would be advantageous.

SOFT FACTORS:

The individual concerned must be able to manage multiple parallel tasks of varying duration and complexity.

UBC hires on the basis of merit, is committed to employment equity, and encourages all qualified individuals to apply. However, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority