Research Engineer, Institute for Space and Defense Electronics

This position is a key technical contributor responsible for electronic device and circuit characterization experimental measurements and hardware design to advance the reliability of advanced and emerging electronic and photonic technologies operating in extreme temperature and radiation environments. The role includes planning and executing electrical characterization and radiation testing analyzing device and circuit performance and degradation and developing electronic circuits and test hardware to support experimental activities. An ideal candidate has experience in electronic device and circuit characterization test and measurement instrumentation semiconductor device physics and experimental data analysis. Experience with radiation effects extreme-environment testing automated measurement systems circuit and PCB design and electronic design automation (EDA) tools is highly desirable. Reporting directly to the Director of ISDE the individual will support multiple technical activities and contribute to a broad portfolio of research contracts. The individual is also expected to contribute to technical proposals reports and publications associated with this work and to support ISDEs radiation test CORE activities.

About the Work Unit:

The Institute for Space and Defense Electronics (ISDE) is a research organization dedicated to advancing electronic technologies for space defense and other mission-critical applications. ISDE brings together expertise in semiconductors microelectronics radiation effects and related fields to address the challenges of operating in demanding environments. Through collaboration with government agencies industry partners and academic researchers ISDE characterizes models and analyzes emerging technologies to evaluate their performance reliability and suitability for mission-critical applications.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Conduct electrical and radiation testing in support of research and external customer needs
Conduct sample preparation (e.g. bonding delidding etching physical characterization packaging de-packaging) as needed in support of testing needs
Design PCB and test hardware
Mentor students and support training needs
Develop and parameterize models describing radiation effects in electronics
Develop test plans
Plan and conduct radiation-effects testing at Vanderbilt facilities and off-site test facilities
Write and publish papers describing technical results
Prepare reports for research sponsors
Present work at technical meetings and conferences
Other tasks as assigned

Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Director of the Institute.

Education and Certifications:
A Bachelors degree in a STEM field is necessary
A total of five years of experience is necessary:
o A Masters degree counts as two years
o A Ph.D. counts as five years

Experience and Skills:
Experience with digital and analog electronics testing is necessary
Experience with radiation-effects testing is preferred
Experience with test-plan development is preferred
Experience with radiation-effects data analysis is preferred
Experience with laser systems integrated photonics or optical characterization is preferred
Experience with printed circuit board layout is preferred
Experience with sample preparation (bonding packaging delidding etc) is preferred