Engineering Specialist (I)

The Advanced Quantum Technologies Group seeks a motivated, detail-oriented Engineering Specialist (I) to support the development, integration, testing, and sustained operation of advanced sensor prototypes and experimental systems.
This position combines laboratory hardware development, test infrastructure development, experimental support, and laboratory operations. Responsibilities will include participation in the fabricating of mechanical and electronic hardware, developing and maintaining reusable test fixtures and experimental setups, preparing systems for laboratory and field testing, troubleshooting hardware and instrumentation, and improving laboratory workflows

Applicants should have a broad skillset and strong desire to work on a wide variety of hands-on laboratory and engineering tasks. Typical responsibilities include:

• Familiarity with the fabrication, assembly, or modification of experimental hardware, mechanical fixtures, and supporting electronics.
• Familiarity with soldering, cable fabrication, connectorization, electronics assembly, and mechanical fabrication using appropriate laboratory and machine-shop tools and utilize appropriate Laboratory personnel when necessary
• Familiarity with building, documenting, and maintaining reusable fixtures and experimental setups to facilitate recurring hardware characterization or fabrication and identifying appropriate Laboratory personnel, if any, to include in such tasks.
• Maintain clear identification and configuration control of fixtures, cables, adapters, instrumentation accessories, and related test hardware.
• Prepare hardware, instrumentation, fixtures, and data-acquisition systems for laboratory and field testing; perform readiness checks as needed.
• Execute tests, collect data, and document hardware configurations, instrument settings, calibration information, procedures, observations, and results.
• In coordination with other appropriate Laboratory personnel, troubleshoot hardware, instrumentation, and integration issues; identify root causes and implement practical corrective actions.
• Maintain laboratories in an organized and test-ready condition, including equipment calibration, inventory, and purchasing support.
• Help convert successful one-off experimental setups into robust, repeatable laboratory capabilities that can be efficiently used by multiple team members.
• Work with multidisciplinary engineering and science teams and Laboratory technicians throughout prototype development, integration, testing, and field demonstrations.

• Associate's degree, technical certification, military technical training, or equivalent technical training in Engineering, Electronics, Physics, or related field; Bachelor's degree preferred
• At least 2 years of relevant hands-on laboratory, prototype-development, hardware-integration, or technical engineering experience
• Demonstrated experience independently assembling, modifying, integrating, and troubleshooting laboratory or prototype hardware
• Experience developing or maintaining test fixtures, experimental setups, or laboratory test infrastructure
• Demonstrated experience with electronics assembly, soldering, cable fabrication, connectors, and basic electrical troubleshooting
• Familiarity with hand and power tools
• Ability to develop, follow, and improve technical procedures and documentation standards
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain shared hardware, test equipment, and laboratory resources in a structured, readily usable manner.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with engineers, scientists, technicians, and other technical staff

• Experience designing and fabricating custom laboratory fixtures, mechanical assemblies, and experimental hardware
• Experience developing repeatable test stations or reusable experimental setups
• Experience with data-acquisition systems, instrumentation control, or laboratory automation software
• Experience with RF/microwave, low-noise electronics, magnetic measurements, optical systems, vacuum systems, or precision instrumentation
• Familiarity with machining and machine shop tools including, but not limited to: mill, lathe, others

This position requires regular hands-on work in a laboratory setting, including standing for extended periods, lifting equipment, and working with tools and machinery. Adherence to safety protocols and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.