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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
The DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER applies knowledge of engineering principles
and methods to design, coordinate the construction and assembly of test, modify, and maintain new experimental
equipment and instrument systems. As an experienced engineer, the development engineer also provides engineering
advice to principle investigators, faculty, and researchers, acts as a liaison with vendors, gathers, test data,
and prepares reports summarizing project feasibility, design criteria, and performance of equipment or instrument
systems.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
This is a single classification and not currently part of a series
of classes.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Allocation of positions to this class will depend on the total
work performed which may include one or a combination of the duties or tasks listed below. Systems designed by
this employee include analog, digital, and optical software, radio frequency and multiple pole filter technologies,
and designs with passive and active components.
- Project Design and Consultation. Typical tasks: meet with investigators, faculty, and researchers to discuss and
determine their needs for equipment and instrument systems; develop conceptual design; collect and analyze data
and alternative concepts; apply engineering principles, methods, and mathematical calculations and uses manufacturer's
component data sheers to design projects; design modifications to existing laboratory instruments for interfacing
to computers; design computer data acquisition and control interfaces; develop plans, schematics, specifications,
and timing and state diagrams; write project proposals, schedules, and cost estimates; direct, oversee, and provide
instruction to technicians during construction, modification, and installation of equipment and instruments; provide
day-to-day direction of the student machine shop; purchase stockroom materials; instruct users in machining principles,
safety, setup techniques, and machine maintenance; coordinate or perform debugging and testing of the system; consult
the investigators, faculty, and researchers when modifications and upgrades are needed on systems.
- Data Analysis.
Typical tasks: analyze data from data acquisition systems and from environmental, calibration, performance and
failure testing; apply mathematical and analytical techniques including curve fitting, noise filtering, correlation,
and statistics; analyze data for cause and effect relationships; use results from data analysis to plan and correct
system and circuit designs and failures (e.g., analyzes data to develop or refine compensation techniques for frequency,
offset voltage, bias current, or temperature drift); write data analysis reports; interact with component and equipment
vendors concerning failures and failure to meet specification problems.
- Troubleshooting, Maintenance, and Calibration. Typical tasks: perform troubleshooting to the component level of analog,
digital, network and computer circuits and equipment; coordinate with software personnel to resolve computer network
hardware and software compatibility problems; participates in the servicing for integrated hardware and software
systems for a variety of computers; instruct and assist lower level technicians as needed; make circuit design
modifications and adaptations to existing equipment; perform difficult calibration and alignment tasks involving
the interaction of several variables, nonlinear effects, compromise adjustments, and physical samples; perform
RF circuit and equipment tuning, adjustment an calibration.
- Miscellaneous.
Typical tasks: review technical journals and literature to stay current with new design techniques, equipment,
and instruments; maintain documentation on commercial products; create, update, and maintain complete documentation
for custom shop projects; may be assigned to assist a higher level engineer on a larger more complex project; direct,
oversee, and provide instruction to technicians, temporary employees, and students.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS
Employees in this class are in regular contact with principal
investigators, faculty, researchers, and students while consulting on systems, equipment, and instruments to be
designed, built, purchased, modified, or repaired. Employees in this class also have contact with vendors and manufacturer's
representatives to obtain technical literature, and specification sheets, to resolve problems, review the applications
and specification of components, and to test equipment and instruments that they have available for purchase.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Employees in this classification work under general supervision
of a supervisory engineer or administrative supervisor who assigns and reviews the work for compliance with engineering
principles and accuracy. Engineering manuals, and administrative policies and procedures are used to design and
implement projects.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- one year of experience
designing, fabricating, testing, modifying, and maintaining new,
experimental electronic equipment, instruments, and systems in an instrument
laboratory; OR
- a Bachelor's degree in
Electronics Engineering Technology or equivalent field.
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