Electronics Engineer

About the role

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) Laboratory seeks a highly motivated and skilled Electronics Engineer to join its team. LIGO Laboratory is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to observing gravitational waves. Jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the LIGO Laboratory operates world-leading observatories near Richland, WA and Baton Rouge, LA as well as R&D centers on the Caltech and MIT campuses.

LIGO Laboratory’s mission spans a broad and vibrant array of activities related to gravitational-wave physics and astronomy, including detector operations, R&D toward detector improvements, gravitational-wave astrophysics, observatory operations, and education and public outreach. For more information, please visit the Laboratory website.

This position is an in-person role located in Pasadena, California. The successful candidate will work hands-on to develop, design, procure, build and test electronics and electronic systems hardware, from the prototype to production for the many systems in the LIGO gravitational-wave detectors.

Responsibilities

• Develop existing and design new low noise, high dynamic range, analog and digital electronics for opto-electronic devices.
• Build and test electronics components such as chassis, boards and cables.
• Procure the necessary supplies, parts and materials required for the setup, operation and maintenance of electronics prototypes and production systems.
• Liaise with in-house and external workshops and vendors.
• Engage in hands-on creation of precise prototypes in a laboratory setting.
• Assist with the development of test procedures and evaluation methodologies, and carry out the corresponding measurement and test campaigns.
• Document system designs, tests and measurements.
• Support the two LIGO observatories, either remotely or on-site, with travel up to 25% of time.
• Participate in upgrades, troubleshooting, problem solving, failure analysis, root cause and corrective action processes as required.
• Perform cross-discipline work involving mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and physics.

Qualifications

• A B.S in Electronics engineering or 4 years of equivalent workplace experience in lieu of a degree.
• Demonstrable experience of working with basic electronic circuits, electronic testing equipment and testing procedures.
• Demonstrable skills in microcontroller programming and applications.
• Basic electronics construction hands on skills including: soldering, repair, and prototyping.
• Work effectively with cross-disciplinary teams. This includes the ability to take direction, work independently with little to no supervision, and work in a team environment.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, a team attitude and a high degree of professional discipline are essential.