Optical Sensor Engineer

Overview

Are you someone who is passionate, motivated, and driven to make a difference? If so, MSA Safety is the perfect fit for your career.

At MSA, SAFETY is who we are AND it is what we do. We are a purpose-driven company committed to deploying innovation and technology to deliver on our Mission to help protect people and assets all around the world. We continue to be relentless in our pursuit of solving our customers greatest problems so they can go home safe each and every day.

Are you in? Read on for more details about this particular role.

Responsibilities

Our sensor team designs advanced technologies to sense dangerous atmospheres accurately and reliably. This challenging but exciting work helps to keep people safe from toxic or explosive atmospheres, monitors occupational exposures and emissions, and ultimately, safeguards workers and their communities.

This position will combine your passion for technical innovation & new product development with a meaningful mission that provides a sense of purpose!

This position reports to the Sensor Engineering Manager and will be both a hands-on contributor and a technical leader. This individual will be a key participant in the design, development, and support of MSA's innovative gas sensing products. Key technologies of interest are non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) and infrared open path gas detectors. These products typically include light sources, detectors, optical/electro-optical components, and corresponding electronics and software for signal processing. Other technologies of interest include photoacoustic gas sensing and laser diode spectroscopy.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Design, develop, and support custom optical spectroscopy sensors that meet customer needs, target cost objectives, manufacturability requirements, and performance goals.

• Use general physics & optics knowledge to select light sources and detectors, and design custom optical systems that optimize gas absorption paths.

• Lead product development activities regarding new sensor design, prototyping, and verification. Work in collaboration with R&D technicians to evaluate sensor performance, durability, and robustness. Utilize statistical methods to demonstrate engineering confidence in the sensor design and anticipated performance in production.

• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis of complex technical challenges, in collaboration with manufacturing, marketing, and customer service.

• Collaborate with project managers and other engineers to deliver a final product while meeting project schedules and managing technical risk.

• (Preferred) Willing to lead a multi-discipline technical team to integrate new optical sensors & sensing technologies into MSA gas detectors.

Qualifications

Required:

• B.S. or M.S. in mechanical engineering, physics, optics, electro-optics, or other applicable discipline, from an ABET-accredited program.

• At least 3 years of product development experience in an industrial/professional setting. M.S. may be substituted for an appropriate level of experience. Note that this position will be offered at multiple levels, depending on the candidate's work experience & academic credentials.

• Good understanding of optical and systems design principles (theorical & practical)

• Hands-on experience in the design, development, and/or use of spectroscopic systems, instruments, or sensors.

• Strong data analysis skills to evaluate sensor performance.

• Strong interpersonal & teambuilding skills are necessary for success.

• Strong written & oral communication skills. Ability to present technical material to a variety of audiences.

• Can both work independently or as part of a team.

Preferred:

• Experience using commercially available optical design and modelling tools, such as ANSYS Zemax or OptiCad.

• Working knowledge of the interaction between electromagnetic infrared energy and gases

• Awareness of contemporary quality management techniques, such as Design for Six Sigma (DFSS)

• Experience with data processing and analysis tools, such as MATLAB or Minitab

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