Lead, R&D Hardware Research and Development
Engineering / Product Development/ Product Management
Ottawa, Ontario
$100,000–$130,000 a year
The Opportunity
An innovative and hands-on R&D Hardware Research and Development Specialist to lead the design, development, and validation of advanced hardware & embedded software solutions. This role focuses on exploring new technologies, prototyping concepts, and delivering robust hardware designs that support next-generation products. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with a research-driven mindset and a passion for innovation.
Objective & Summary
- In cooperation with the Principal Engineer, drive innovation by researching, evaluating, and applying emerging hardware technologies for Products and Testing
- Accelerate product development through rapid prototyping and iterative designs
- Ensure hardware designs meet performance, quality, safety, regulatory standards, and baseline engineering quality standards
- Support seamless integration between hardware, firmware, and software systems
- Quickly turn initial requirements into a concept prototype for demonstrations/acceptance
- HW architectures, PCBAs, and Mechanical concepts for Improving Product Test Station multi-up designs, including cost reductions
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
Research & Innovation
- In cooperation with the Principal Engineer or individually, conduct new component research, materials research, and research technologies relevant to product development
- Evaluate feasibility, performance, and cost of new hardware concepts
- Develop proof-of-concept prototypes and validate innovative ideas
- Stay current with industry trends, standards, and emerging technologies
Hardware Design & Development
- Design electronic hardware systems, including schematics, PCB layouts, and system architecture.
- Select components based on performance, cost, availability, reliability, and environmental compliance
- Perform circuit design, simulation, and analysis (analog, digital, and mixed signal)
- Collaborate with mechanical and software teams to ensure seamless system integration
Prototyping & Testing
- Build and test prototypes to validate design concepts and performance requirements
- Develop and execute test plans, including functional, environmental, and reliability testing
- Analyze test data and iterate on designs to improve performance and robustness
- Use lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and power analyzers
Validation & Compliance
- Ensure designs meet regulatory and industry standards (e.g., UL, CE, FCC, IEC, CSA other).
- Support certification processes and documentation as it relates to Hardware Design
- Perform failure analysis and root cause investigations
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with software, firmware, and mechanical engineering teams
- Collaborate with manufacturing to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) and assembly (DFA), including cross-functional failure mode analysis (FMEA)
- Support transition from prototype to production, including cross-site (Ottawa / Moncton) development
Product Development & Lifecycle Management
- Work with cross-functional teams (Engineering, R&D, Operations, Sales, Marketing, Quality) in cooperation with Project Management to deliver product development projects, including developing detailed product test plans complete with efforts and timeline estimates.
- Manage Hardware and Software design IP according to PLM standards and methods, including revision controls, data structures and release processes
Management
- This position reports to the R&D Manager
Education, Training & Experience
- B.SC. Engineering SW/HW
- >8 years of experience in HW Product Design
- Electrical Design using Altium and related life cycle management best practices
- PSPICE Simulations / Processors/ Microcontrollers
- Math CAD
- C++
Skills and Competency Requirements
- HVAC Gas Sensors/Transmitter product knowledge will be considered a strong asset
- HVAC Gas Sensors/Transmitter field application knowledge will be considered a strong asset
- Ability to communicate and work with technical and non-technical staff to define product requirements
- Understanding/Writing Product Requirements
- System Design (Monitor/Transmitter and BAC)
- SW / Scripting Languages