Mixed-Signal Design Engineer
Location
On-site -- Maynard, Massachusetts
Reports To
Hardware Engineer Architect
Employment Type
Full-time
Department
Engineering
Requirement
US Citizenship Required
About the Role
We are seeking a hands-on Mixed-Signal Design Engineer to design, develop, test, and support electronic hardware for our products. This role will have end-to-end responsibility for electronic product development, from circuit and PCB design through prototype development, verification, manufacturing support, and ongoing product maintenance.
The ideal candidate has strong experience in mixed-signal electronics, analog and digital circuit design, PCB development, laboratory testing, and hardware debugging. The position requires an engineer who is comfortable moving between computer simulation, schematic and PCB design, bench testing, prototype assembly, manufacturing support, and troubleshooting field issues.
The engineer will work with circuits operating at frequencies up to approximately 250 MHz and will contribute to products incorporating communications, IoT technologies, analog electronics, digital signal processing, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and other digital functions.
Key Responsibilities
Essential Functions
The essential functions include the following areas. Other duties may be assigned.
- Specification and design of individual mixed signal (up to 250MHz) circuits and printed circuit boards for all Wildlife Acoustic products.
- Perform design verification using computer simulations in support of the above.
- Perform in-house lab testing and debugging on a variety of hardware devices including circuit boards, wiring, and completed products which may involve creation and acquisition of hardware and software test benches.
- Secure tools and equipment, both hardware and software, in support of the above items.
- Build or oversee assembly of a prototype electronics for products.
- Create manufacturing documentation and test procedures for manufacturing.
- Maintain active component library for use in design and manufacturing. This includes specifying replacement parts for out-of-stock or obsolete items.
- Research and review of new or updated technologies or industrial specifications regarding IOT, communications, analog electronics, digital signal processing, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and general digital functions.
- Assume ownership and maintenance of electronic products developed by outside contractors with regards to manufacturing and on-going support including necessary re-design.
- Review manufacturing or customer field returns demonstrating a consistent set of failures.
Circuit and PCB Design
- Specify, design, and develop individual mixed-signal circuits and printed circuit boards for products.
- Design analog and digital electronic circuits operating at frequencies up to approximately 250 MHz.
- Develop schematics, PCB layouts, and supporting design documentation.
- Select appropriate electronic components based on performance, availability, reliability, cost, and manufacturability.
- Apply sound engineering practices for signal integrity, power management, analog performance, and digital interfaces.
Design Verification and Simulation
- Perform design verification using computer-based circuit simulations and other engineering tools.
- Develop simulation models and test conditions as necessary to validate circuit performance.
- Analyze simulation and test results and implement design changes as required.
- Support design reviews and technical assessments throughout the product development process.
Laboratory Testing and Debugging
- Perform in-house laboratory testing, troubleshooting, and debugging of electronic hardware.
- Test and diagnose a variety of hardware, including circuit boards, wiring assemblies, and completed products.
- Develop, build, or acquire hardware and software test benches and other equipment required for product verification and troubleshooting.
- Use laboratory instrumentation and diagnostic techniques to identify root causes of hardware failures.
- Document test results and recommend corrective actions.
Prototype Development
- Build prototypes and oversee the assembly of prototype electronic hardware.
- Coordinate prototype fabrication and assembly activities as needed.
- Evaluate prototype performance and implement design improvements based on test results.
- Work closely with manufacturing and other internal or external resources to transition designs into production.
Manufacturing Support
- Create and maintain manufacturing documentation, assembly documentation, and production test procedures.
- Support manufacturing activities related to electronic products.
- Develop and maintain manufacturing test methods and fixtures as required.
- Provide technical support for production issues and recommend corrective actions.
Component Management
- Maintain an active electronic component library for use in design and manufacturing.
- Evaluate component availability, lifecycle status, and suitability for continued production.
- Identify and specify suitable replacement components for parts that are unavailable, obsolete, or otherwise unsuitable for continued use.
- Support component selection and qualification activities.
Technology Research and Development
- Research and evaluate new and emerging technologies relevant to current and future products.
- Monitor developments in IoT, communications, analog electronics, digital signal processing, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and general digital electronics.
- Research and review relevant industry standards, specifications, and technologies.
- Recommend new technologies, components, and design approaches that may improve product performance, reliability, manufacturability, or cost.
Product Ownership and Sustaining Engineering
- Assume technical ownership of electronic products developed by outside contractors.
- Support the ongoing manufacturing and technical maintenance of externally developed electronic products.
- Diagnose and resolve production and field issues and perform necessary hardware redesigns.
- Maintain and update existing electronic designs throughout the product lifecycle.
- Review manufacturing and customer field returns to identify recurring or systematic hardware failures.
- Investigate root causes of recurring failures and implement appropriate corrective and preventive actions.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- 5 to 10 years of professional experience in mixed-signal electronics circuit design.
- Experience designing printed circuit boards and electronic hardware.
- Experience with circuit simulation and design verification.
- Strong hands-on laboratory testing and hardware debugging skills.
- Experience using electronic test equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, signal generators, power supplies, and logic analyzers.
- Ability to read and interpret schematics, PCB layouts, datasheets, and technical specifications.
- Experience taking electronic designs from prototype through manufacturing.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to independently diagnose complex hardware problems and determine root causes.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a hands-on engineering environment.
Key Attributes
The successful candidate will be a hands-on, technically versatile engineer who enjoys solving problems from the schematic level through the finished product. The role requires someone who can move comfortably between circuit design, simulation, laboratory debugging, prototype construction, manufacturing support, and sustaining engineering.
Strong attention to detail, practical engineering judgment, curiosity about emerging technologies, and the ability to take ownership of problems from identification through resolution are essential to success in this position.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $130,000 - $160,000
Benefits:
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – We are an employee-owned company!
- Medical coverage – Cigna Triad /Securus (80/20)
- Dental coverage - Delta Dental (80/20)
- Vision coverage – VSP (80/20)
- Health Reimbursement Account – Funded by Employer ($5,500 for single plans & $9,000 for non-single plans)
- Dependent Care Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts available
- LT/ST/Life & ADD available (ST paid by employer)
- Health & Wellness Allowance and Programs
- PTO – 120 hours
- Floating Holidays – 10 days per calendar year
- Sick/Wellness Time: 40 hours
- 401(k) Plan
- Tuition Reimbursement: up to $5,000/year
- Training and Development Programs
- Charitable Giving Match
- Partial Mileage Reimbursement
- On-site Fitness Center Free Membership
WORKPLACE COMMITMENTS EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Wildlife Acoustics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture, hair type, hair length, and natural or protective hairstyles), color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, handicap or disability, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status, immigration or citizenship status, military obligations, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, status as a domestic violence victim, prior criminal convictions, prior criminal arrest or prosecution that was resolved favorable for the individual, or participation in discrimination complaint-related activities or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local Laws. Our policy reflects and affirms Wildlife Acoustics’ commitment to the principles of fair employment and the elimination of all discriminatory practices.
THE PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT
The act expressly prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, such as lactation or the need to express breast milk for a nursing child. It also describes employers’ obligations to employees that are pregnant or lactating and the protections these employees are entitled to receive. Generally, employers may not treat employees or job applicants less favorably than other employees based on pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions and have an obligation to accommodate pregnant workers.
ANTI-SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING POLICY
Wildlife Acoustics maintains a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery (including servitude, forced labor, and trafficking) and is committed to acting ethically across all business dealings and supply chains. This policy applies to all employees, directors, officers, contractors, and third-party representatives. It is strictly prohibited to engage in, facilitate, or fail to report any activity that constitutes modern slavery, such as utilizing forced labor, withholding identification documents, or engaging in fraudulent recruitment practices. All parties must comply with this policy and report any suspicious activity to management or Human Resources. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment/relationship with Wildlife Acoustics.
