Hardware Research Engineer

Starkey is much more than the hearing aids we produce. We are in the business of connecting people and changing lives. We believe being able to hear the world and the people around us is as essential to the human experience as breathing. As a world leader and largest American hearing aid company, we design and deliver advanced hearing solutions that empower individuals to reach their full potential.

This position is responsible for supporting new technology development from conception through demonstration and/or productization. This includes the support for design and execution of experimental studies, development and construction of prototype hardware, and data and results analysis. This position works with a cross-functional team of scientists and engineers to solve complex technical and research problems aimed ultimately at delivering innovation to products.

Approach and Deployment (What to Do & How to Do It)

Explore new hardware technologies suitable for the hearing instrument environment

• Perform active searches and evaluations for emerging technology
• Monitor and recommend new hardware technology to the organization
• Investigate how to make new hardware feasible with good understanding of the design limitation
• Model, simulate and prototype to demonstrate feasibility
• Support the design and execution of test fixtures and test strategies
• Provide written reports for proposals, experiments, processes, and evaluations

Provide technical support for research that will lead to innovation to the hearing aid industry

• Apply proper research method and experimental design to explore new ideas and features
• Analyze and interpret experimental results within the context of scientific discovery and benefit for users
• Manage experimental documentation and procedures, including writing experimental protocols and final reports
• Assist in developing Starkey's research portfolio by exploring new technologies and forging new directions in research that lead to innovations in the hearing-aid industry

Participate in innovation initiatives, including contributing to the corporate intellectual property portfolio

• Monitor patent literature and emerging technologies in relevant areas of expertise
• Contribute ideas to department and company-wide innovation initiatives
• Create and file patentable inventions

Coordinate and support the introduction of new processes into production

• Evaluate process with Quality/Reliability department
• Evaluate process improvements in assembly and substrate fabrication
• Coordinate the production of prototype builds using new processes
• Generate component requirements and review and contribute to system performance requirements
• Provide process support for manufacturing problems and concerns as directed
• Ensure manufacturability of new designs by active participation in design reviews
• Support and assist in the training of production staff in new processes and technologies

Results - Performance Measures (How to Measure Success)

• Effectiveness on execution - timeliness
• Problem solving and resolution
• Quality and completeness of technical analysis and experimental design
• Awareness of intellectual property and emerging technologies in areas of expertise
• Productivity on patents -- inventions disclosed and inventions approved for filing
• Effectiveness of communication at disseminating knowledge and insight to the organization from technology monitoring
• Number and quality of research support and technology development efforts provided to the rest of the company
• Feedback from the fellow engineers and researchers on leadership, decision making and experimental methods

Other Duties (Non Measurable)

• Support Starkey Employee Corporate and/or Department Guidelines.
• Check and verify product and process qualities.
• Support corporate health and safety objectives.
• React to changes productively and handle other essential duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Education:

• At least a 4-year college degree in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering or related fields with a strong emphasis on hearing instrument, medical devices, biology, physiology, or sensor technology

Experience:

• No industrial experience is required with PhD, or 2 years with M.S. or related experience, or Minimum 4 years with B.S. or related experience

Knowledge

• Good understanding of the fundamentals of research methods and hypothesis testing
• Proficiency with MatLab, Python, Octave or other analytical tools is desired
• Proficiency in statistical analysis is desired
• Programing experience in C or other languages is a plus
• Intermediate working knowledge of one or more of the following:
• analog, digital and mixed signal circuit design
• multi-component electrical devices, PC interfaces, communication protocols, digital design, DSP, wired and wireless communication
• signal processing concepts, including: block diagrams, filters, Fourier analysis, audio, acoustics
• electrical schematic and layout CAD packages
• circuit simulation tools
• printed circuit board analysis software and tools

Skills & Abilities

• Hands-on
• Capable of identifying technical opportunities and providing technical solutions to advanced problems which require strong critical thinking skills
• Ability to work with minimal directions and independently determine and develop technical objectives of assignments
• Ability to support and contribute to successful completion of important projects
• Comprehensive knowledge of analytical tools and interpretation of data
• Excellent Communication skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent people skills

This job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on actual experience, education and other factors

Salary and Other Compensation:

The annual starting salary for this position is between $78,540 - $110,250 annually. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include: geography/market, skills, education, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

Benefits:

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