Staff Hardware Engineer
AMETEK · Oak Ridge
The Staff Hardware Engineer will support the design, integration, productization, and production support of radiation detection systems for mobile search platforms, handheld and portable detector systems, and related field instruments. This role requires strong system-level expertise across detector selection, electronics architecture, embedded firmware, mechanical integration, verification, manufacturability, and new product development.
Key Responsibilities
System Architecture & Detector Integration
- Support the design and integration of portable, wearable, and mobile radiation detection products.
- Balance system performance, size, weight, power consumption, cost, ruggedness, supply risk, and product positioning.
- Evaluate and integrate detector technologies including scintillators, silicon sensors, neutron detectors, and related sensing technologies.
Hardware, Firmware & Embedded Product Development
- Develop electronics architectures for detector biasing, analog front ends, pulse processing, ADC interfaces, power management, batteries, communications, and rugged I/O.
- Contribute to embedded firmware development, FPGA/DSP interfaces, microcontroller control, detector readout, calibration, diagnostics, and alarm logic.
- Integrate hardware, firmware, software, mechanical systems, displays, controls, wireless interfaces, and production test capabilities.
- Support prototype builds, PCB bring-up, firmware debugging, detector characterization, environmental testing, and verification activities.
New Product Development & Cross-Functional Execution
- Support technical execution throughout the product lifecycle, from concept and requirements through prototype development, verification, production release, and sustaining support.
- Collaborate with electrical, firmware/software, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, product management, service, and supplier teams.
- Prepare technical documentation, test plans, design reviews, risk assessments, verification evidence, and release-ready product documentation.
Compliance & Quality
- Design products to meet applicable radiation detection, safety, EMC, environmental, cybersecurity, and quality requirements.
- Support qualification testing, compliance documentation, verification and validation activities, manufacturability reviews, and corrective actions.
- Apply disciplined design-for-manufacturing (DFM), design-for-test (DFT), reliability, documentation, and configuration control practices.
Customer & Business Support
- Support customer demonstrations, field feedback reviews, competitive assessments, and product roadmap discussions.
- Identify technologies, suppliers, and design approaches that improve product performance, availability, cost efficiency, and differentiation.
- Support existing product lines through obsolescence management and manufacturing production support activities.
Requirements
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field required.
- Master's degree preferred.
- 6+ years of experience developing hardware-integrated instrumentation, embedded systems, radiation detection products, scientific instruments, defense/security systems, or other high-reliability products.
- Demonstrated experience leading or supporting new product development from concept through production release.
- Experience transitioning prototypes into repeatable production environments with manufacturing and quality teams.
Technical Expertise
- Strong system-level judgment across hardware, firmware, software, mechanical design, power systems, packaging, usability, testing, and manufacturing.
- Hands-on experience with analog, digital, mixed-signal, embedded, or firmware design for measurement systems.
- Experience with embedded processors, FPGA/DSP interfaces, ADC acquisition, communications, power management, and battery-operated products.
- Ability to lead trade studies, design reviews, prototype evaluations, verification planning, and root-cause investigations.
- Working knowledge of gamma, alpha/beta, and/or neutron detection principles and associated integration tradeoffs.
- Demonstrated ability and willingness to use AI tools to improve productivity, decision-making, work quality, and to reduce costs. The successful candidate must be able to identify appropriate AI use cases and critically evaluate AI-generated outputs.
Industry Knowledge
- Experience with SPRDs, RIIDs, handheld instruments, mobile search systems, portal monitor components, contamination monitors, or nuclear security products.
- Experience with detector technologies such as NaI(Tl), CsI(Tl), LaBr3(Ce), CLLBC, plastic/polymer scintillators, ZnS, silicon, He-3, Li-6, boron-lined, or similar detectors.
- Familiarity with ANSI N42-series standards, IEC/UL 61010-1, EMC requirements, environmental qualification, or agency certification processes.
Professional Skills
- Strong communication skills with engineering, product management, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, customers, and leadership teams.
About the Business Unit
Advanced Measurement Technology (AMT), part of AMETEK’s Materials Analysis Division, is a global leader in high-precision measurement and detection solutions. Headquartered in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, AMT designs and manufactures advanced instrumentation for nuclear spectrometry, radiological measurement, electrochemical analysis, and electronic signal recovery. Our technologies enable customers in research, defense, homeland security, and industrial markets to solve their most complex challenges with accuracy and reliability.
AMT combines renowned brands such as ORTEC, Amptek, and Sunpower, delivering differentiated solutions for applications ranging from radiation detection and semiconductor analysis to cryogenic cooling systems. As a cleared defense contractor, AMT also supports U.S. government programs with custom products and services. With a strong culture of innovation and operational excellence, AMT continues to expand globally, leveraging decades of expertise to drive advancements in safety, security, and scientific discovery.
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