General Description: The Embedded Systems and Instrumentation Technician is responsible for supporting the research, educational, and outreach mission of the Laboratory for Intelligent Systems Technology at Duke University. Duties include understanding and assisting with data acquisition systems (hardware and software), developing and supporting prototype embedded systems, developing and supporting sensors/sensing networks, maintaining and repairing complex laboratory and field instrumentation, maintaining field-deployed sensor networks on operational infrastructure and embedded in natural systems, and creating cloud-based web-apps that are associated with the visualization of data collected.

The work requires significant collaboration skills and creativity working with a diverse group of graduate students, faculty, and other staff to develop concepts, make improvements and finalize prototype systems used in state-of-the-art research. Thus, inherent curiosity and interest in research are important attributes of a successful candidate for this position. The staff member is also expected to have good communication skills and a collaborative spirit to teach students the responsibilities that are needed to achieve their research objectives in complex lab and field settings.

Research and Development Engineering ~ 60% • Work with students or faculty on various technical needs such as data acquisition, sensor development or network maintenance, performing tests and diagnoses on systems, production processes, controls, test procedures, instruments, equipment, products or product performance to ensure controls achieve desired results; • Work with faculty and students to develop concepts, modify and improve them, and finalize preliminary designs; design efficient prototypes to responsibly spend research funding; • Design printed circuit boards, manage the process of external-party fabrication, perform in-house assembly, and program microcontrollers with embedded software; • Be a resource for students on the latest instrumentation that can be used to conduct experiments; • Actively participate in the development and modification of instrumentation plans for advanced and real-time experiments in the laboratory and field (travel is associated with field work); • Design cloud-hosted database systems and web-based applications that visualize data collected for stakeholder outreach and to facilitate decision making.

System Maintenance and Troubleshooting ~25% • Conduct performance and reliability testing on the electrical and/or mechanical properties of assemblies, components, networks, or equipment; • Develop, analyze, and maintain processes, products and/or equipment, including diagnostics; may write application-specific software for automated test equipment; • Assist with purchasing necessary materials in appropriate amounts for use in research support; • Monitor, adjust, test, calibrate, maintain, and repair instruments, components or fixtures including programmable controls, and test equipment; • Troubleshoot breakdowns, perform preventative maintenance, and call for repairs; • Develop process control manuals or instructions and related documentation to guide other users; • Maintain embedded firmware of lab-designed components and systems on GitHub or alternative platforms; • Maintain experimental data including storing it in established data models and ensuring reliable long-term storage for lab use.

General Equipment Maintenance/Repair ~ 5% • Monitor, adjust, test, calibrate, maintain and/or repair mechanical and electrical/electronic equipment, instruments, components, or fixtures, including programmable controls, numeric controls, and test equipment; • Resolve design problems or malfunctions in specialized equipment; • Troubleshoot breakdowns, perform preventive maintenance, and call for repairs • Work with other technical staff and appropriate faculty to anticipate and schedule software or equipment repairs, upgrades, replacements or new purchases • Develops process control manuals and related documentation

Safety Management ~ 5% • Instruct new laboratory users regarding lab-specific safety procedures and document their training; • Determine safe operating procedures for test equipment; monitor and enforce codes to be in compliance with university and state safety requirements; • Work cooperatively with other personnel and functions to exchange information and resolve problems in an efficient and safe manner.

Communications ~ 5% • Assist laboratory personnel with reporting on laboratory research work to funding agencies, internal/external collaborator, and other parties as needed; • Maintain lab website for external communication of lab activities and impact.

Necessary Qualifications: • Minimum of six years of proven experience in electrical/electronics and embedded systems • Experience with popular data acquisition and control systems software (e.g., Labview) • Experience in embedded system design and maintenance including programming embedded microcontrollers/microprocessors in high-level programming languages (e.g., C) • Experience in printed circuit board design and readying sensing systems for field use • Extensive experience operating test equipment, including soldering equipment, multi-meters, and oscilloscopes, with a thorough knowledge of electrical/electronic components and equipment • Demonstrated experience in the calibration, maintenance and repair of scientific equipment systems, including competency in problem-solving, analysis, decision-making, learning and teamwork • Ability to stay well-organized and negotiate deadlines where appropriate to avoid over-committing to projects or missing due dates for deliverables • Ability to analyze and present data using Excel or other data processing programs • Must be able to combine various fundamental operations necessary to complete the job in a competent manner

Desired Qualifications: • Demonstrated ability to work independently, efficiently and productively with a diverse group of students, staff and faculty • Programming experience in high-level languages, such as Phython, C++ or Matlab • Experience setting up embedded systems in Linux/UNIX or other real-time operating systems • Experience in embedded system design including printed circuit board design and embedded programming of wireless communications (e.g., Zigbee, WiFi) • Experience in setting up cloud-based databases for data storage and visualization

Candidate has capacity to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws and U.S. DOD requirements for accessing facilities and personnel.

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.