Instrumentation Engineer

Purpose

The Electrical Research Engineer - Data Acquisition is responsible for developing and implementing data acquisition and instrumentation approaches for instrumented vehicles used in vehicle safety research examining driver behavior, advanced driver assistance systems, and driving automation systems. Support involves documenting, troubleshooting, and maintaining the data acquisition and instrumentation throughout a test or research program.


Essential Functions*

• Develop and specify data acquisition approaches for capturing data to document vehicle dynamics, vehicle system operation, and driver behavior for instrumented vehicle testing and research studies


• Select components appropriate for accurately capturing electrical signal, video, and acoustic data


• Install, configure, and confirm proper operation of data acquisition systems and instrumentation and maintain them throughout a test program


• Access vehicle network (e.g., CAN) data as needed for recording as part of vehicle testing


• Confirm quality and validity of recorded data both prior to test start and after test conduct


• Support testing and data collection using the developed data acquisition and instrumentation approach as needed


*TRC Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer and is willing to make a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job.


**Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.


Other Duties and Responsibilities (Non-Essential Functions)

• Write research papers and technical reports


• Completion of customer support in a timely, error-free, and competitive manner


• Make technical decisions with minimal assistance


• Report research and test results in a basic format


• Work in a team to reach technical project goals


• Critically evaluate and correct deficiencies in technical proposals, plans, and reports


• Create detailed cost estimates for tasks


• Establish and maintain task schedules and budgets


• Support TRC Inc.'s Quality and EH&S (Environmental, Health, and Safety) efforts


Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, instrumentation engineering, electronics engineering, or appropriate comparable discipline


• Candidate must have knowledge and experience in data acquisition systems, sensors, and instrumentation for measuring vehicle motion and network communications.


• Candidate must have knowledge relating to cameras used for data acquisition and configuring cameras to capture data of appropriate frame rate, resolution, and data output file size.


• Candidate must have demonstrated computer programming skills and strong knowledge of vehicle networks.


• Technical knowledge to solve tough substantive, work-related problems and troubleshoot electrical and data acquisition systems


• Strong communication skills


• Excellent computer skills including MATLAB software for creating data acquisition system schematics, word processing, and other data analysis software


• Basic project management skills


Working conditions

• Standard office, climate-controlled environment


• May be exposed to temperatures below 0 degree and above 95 degrees


• May be exposed to inclement weather


• May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, such as gas, oil, and paint


• Garage environment


• Laboratory environment


• Some passenger vehicle driving to support testing or experimental protocols


• Occasional support of outdoor and nighttime testing of vehicles


Physical requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for an extended period of time


• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment


• Ability to communicate with customers and co-workers


• Capable of positioning oneself into bending, stretching, climbing, or awkward positions

Disclaimer

It is the policy of TRC Inc. to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment practices, without regard to race, color, caste, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic conditions), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran or military status, medical leave or other types of protected leave (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other characteristic protected by state or federal anti-discrimination law covering employment.