Job description
We are looking for an experienced mechanical and electrical hardware engineer to lead the ongoing development of the Sensear communication headset product range. The right candidate will be a self-starter interested in driving product innovation and enjoys working in a fast paced, small, dynamic, and high performing team. As a key member of the engineering team, you will be involved in all aspects of Sensear’s leading-edge audio hearing protection and wearable product development life cycle including architecture, simulation, design, PCB layout, design verification, quality engineering, compliance, and introduction into manufacturing. You will be expected to coordinate with other team members and will be required to maintain key components of the development environment allocated to you including and working with collaboration tools such as Confluence and Jira.
About us
Sensear is a global leader in industrial communication headsets for high noise environments. Originating from groundbreaking research at the University of Western Australia and Curtin Universities, Sensear has perfected the combination of speech enhancement technology and noise suppression technology integrated with a complex series of patented algorithms, producing a cutting-edge innovation called SENS™ (Speech Enhancing Noise Suppression) Technology. Sensear’s solution combines an array of tiny microphones seamlessly connected to a small processor discreetly fitted within the headset. The processor acts to distinguish speech from background noise and selectively enhancing speech and simultaneously suppressing noise.
The Sensear products target a myriad of vertical markets globally, including, oil & gas, mining, heavy industry/manufacturing, transportation, and utility markets or any environment in which workers are exposed to unsafe high noise environments.
Summary of role:
As the lead hardware engineer, you would be responsible for the electrical and mechanical design of the Sensear headset range. This will include leading the design, prototyping, and testing of product enhancements and new product development from concept to mass production. This will include developing the interfaces between the Sensear headset and the 2-way radios and other mobile devices that the headsets need to integrate with.
This is a highly technical and innovative role that provides a unique opportunity for a hardware engineer looking to make a difference and to drive the development of a global product range.
Essential Responsibilities
- With the guidance of the Director of Engineering and the software team, design, test or integrate product enhancements, and new products, and support components, assemblies or systems that meet business standards and program / product requirements.
- Core to the product’s operational performance is the seamless integration to the 2-way radio or other mobile communication device. The design will need to include developing cables that connect the headset to the mobile device. Knowledge of the 2-way radio systems (Motorola, Kenwood etc.) would provide a significant advantage.
- Prepare design documents and test data to support the new product design decisions.
- Share engineering information and promote open dialogue.
- Prepare invention disclosures to protect the technology that provides a competitive advantage to the business.
- Assure proper documentation of technical data generated for the assigned projects and/or tasks consistent with engineering policies and procedures.
- To work with management and the team to design and develop hardware solutions from concept through to mass production to meet the needs of the product requirements.
- Design and develop the integrations into other communication devices. Core to the product’s operational performance is the seamless integration to the 2-way radio or other mobile communication devices. This may be through a wired or wireless connection. The design will need to include developing cables that connect the headset to Mobile Radios. Knowledge of the 2-way radio systems (Motorola, Tait, etc.) would provide a significant advantage.
- Obtain and manage product regulatory approvals for Intrinsic Safety standards: IECEx, CE, FCC. Debug and correct issues identified, trouble shoot and test the work of others. Where / If required you will travel to 3rd party compliance partner facilities to expedite compliance testing.
- Electronics design skills including schematics and PCB layout using Altium PCB design tool. Design competencies; controlled impedance PCB layout, low noise signal conditioning and interface to DSP/microcontrollers (e.g., ARM cortex M4), EMC, RF design including Radio integration and modulation; antenna design and matching.
- Create and maintain all new product and legacy manufacture build and design records related to the hardware design. You will be required to learn to use the review and source control procedure and configuration tools within the product life cycle management systems.
- To work with design team to develop automated PCB customized test fixtures and jigs and write supporting test application. You will be responsible to manage the design and assembly of the test fixtures, commission the fixtures at manufacture sites and provide ongoing support to outsource manufacturers for the duration of the product’s manufacture life.
- To work with design team to develop quality engineering concepts: HALT (accelerated testing) product reliability and MTBF.
- Interface with external suppliers to help identify and manage the supply chain. Work with the Sensear sales team to troubleshoot issues with major client implementations.
Skills
· Minimum of 5+ years of design experience in electronic product development
· Strong project management and product development experience
· Tertiary qualifications in Electronics Engineering would be preferred.
· Proficiency with EDA tools, Altium Designer experience heavily preferred.
· Knowledge or familiarity with Intrinsic Safety standards: IEC 60079-19:2019 Ed 4.0; IECEx OD 314 - 5; IECEx OD
315 - 5; IECEx Rules 03-5 and prepared to contribute and participate in product hardware design review.
· Ability to work within a team, participate and contribute to design review, product life cycle configuration control
and knowledge of source control procedures collaborative development tools such as Confluence & Jira
· Willing to learn and understanding audio technologies and applications.
· Contribute to developing internal and external technical design documentation and guides in support of
product.
· When required be prepared to assist with maintaining and/or creating processes and procedures for products to
comply with Sensear product quality and ISO standards.
· Good communication & teamwork skills; able to interact with both technical and non-technical management and
team members.
Qualifications/Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical /Electrical Engineering and Master’s preferred
- Minimum 5 years’ experience as a hardware engineer
- Demonstrated project management leadership experience
- Demonstrated ability to lead product development efforts in an organized, process driven approach to effectively drive milestones and key business targets.
Desired Characteristics
- Strong oral and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills. Ability to work independently. Strong problem-solving skills.
- Experience working with 2-way communication devices, including Motorola and Kenwood is highly desirable.
- Highly analytical with strong critical thinking skills
- Detailed oriented with strong planning characteristics
- Willingness to go above and beyond. Self-Starter and highly motivated.
- Independent team player with the ability to work efficiency and effectively against project targets and deadlines.
Locations: Carpentersville, IL
Sensear offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. Sensear is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.