Sr. Electrical Engineer

Digital Control Incorporated (DCI) is the world’s leading supplier of underground locating and steering products for the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry. Since the introduction of this revolutionary technology 30 years ago, Digital Control has been at the forefront of trenchless technologies that enable the efficient installation of underground utilities such as fiber optic, telecom, gas, and water lines world-wide. DCI’s products are valued for their durable design, ease of use and uncompromising commitment to customer service.

We are seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer for our new and growing Manufacturing Design Engineering (MDE) team in Kent, Washington. In this role you’ll collaborate with diverse cross-functional teams to develop and sustain cutting edge hardware, manufacturing systems and automated test/calibration equipment designs. If you’re hands-on and passionate about applying your expertise in digital and analog electronics to technology, collaboration, and continuous improvement, then DCI could be a perfect fit for you! 

MDE is a new function at DCI so you’ll have the opportunity to build and deliver new capabilities and solutions for global customers, new product development teams and manufacturing partners.

What you’ll do:

Hardware design engineering

• Perform redesign and requalification of commercial products for performance, cost, and reliability improvement
• Investigate and propose solutions to address customer feedback, field failure incidents, service repair trends, and production issues

New product introduction

• Represent manufacturing needs in product development to bring the next-generation industry-leading equipment to market
• Develop and maintain new quality control test processes and systems, including hardware and software designs for automated fixtures and equipment

Manufacturing & test process engineering

• Develop and implement hardware to increase the efficiency and yield of assembly and testing methods, systems, automated equipment, and processes
• Provide technical support and guidance to internal teams and supplier partners, participate in audits, and evaluate first-article materials and parts

Responsibilities:

• Architect, design, simulate and test complex analog, digital and mixed-signal systems
• Design circuits with DCI manufacturing and product teams from requirements through production and post-production support; select components, design schematics, layout boards, bring up, and debug circuits
• Knowledge of both system-on-chip (SoC) and micro-controllers connected to a variety of peripherals and sensors
• Understanding and calibration of IMUs, sensors, accelerometers, magnetometers, load cells
• Lead manufacturing design, production test system and automation related projects
• Work with operations partners, manufacturing engineers, and test engineers to create and maintain production test systems and automation
• Collaborate with R&D engineers to prepare product and equipment concepts for production
• Collaborate with the compliance team and external labs to drive products through regulatory certification processes
• Creative problem solving, with experience in failure analysis, root cause investigation, and DOE creation
• Manage in-house and out-of-house prototype PCB build process
• Establish partnerships and relationships with suppliers and vendors
• Translate between engineering and business requirements

Requirements

• 7 - 10+ years' experience in design, test, and validation of complex electrical systems
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering
• Strong experience with the design, architecture, and layout of low frequency and low noise analog front ends
• Mixed-signal PCB layout experience
• EMI/RFI control and minimization experience
• System design and integration including stepper motors, control algorithms and sensors
• Programming for data acquisition, instrument control, and automation such as LabVIEW
• Expertise evaluating and debugging hardware using standard engineering laboratory equipment (oscilloscopes, etc.)
• Proficiency with electronics design and board layout software, Altium preferred
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong teamwork and communication skills (written and verbal)

Nice to have:

• RF design experience is a bonus
• Knowledge of FCC and/or other certification processes

Who you are:

• Self-motivated with excellent time management and organizational skills
• Strong communicator, both written and oral, that is able to collaborate with multiple groups within the company
• Committed to driving to goals and milestones while maintaining a strong attention to detail
• Analytical thinker with excellent judgment and problem-solving skills

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to still apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or another role at DCI.

Benefits

• Unparalleled health benefits (PPO plan with no deductibles, no co-pays, DCI covers 99% of costs)
• Quarterly bonuses: we all share in the success of the company
• Professional development
• 401k match (3% match from DCI regardless of participation, 5% maximum match, 100% vested immediately)
• 22 days PTO
• Parental leave
• Company covers 100% of payroll taxes for state family medical leave
• 11 annual paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday
• Winter break (we are closed the last week of each year)
• See more benefits information here.

Compensation:

• DCI is proud to offer comprehensive compensation packages including competitive base pay and discretionary quarterly profit sharing bonuses to all part-time and full-time team members. Base pay is reviewed at a minimum on an annual basis.
• Pay range: $132,800 - $142,000 per year. To ensure equity, our compensation philosophy is to bring people into new roles in the range of the mid-point of that role. Factors considered for pay include the level of skill, experience, training, external market factors, and internal value.
• Profit sharing bonus: Over the last 3 years, quarterly bonuses ranged between 11% and 27%. Future bonuses could be higher or lower depending on company profits.

Why DCI?

Work hard, play often... DCI employees are innovative and creative. Our open (forest-like) work environment creates free flowing conversations across all functions. We have gaming days; Lego challenges and ping pong matches to build on our creativity when one hits a roadblock. If that is not enough, our employees bring their four-legged companions (dogs) to work and can take them for a walk around the Green River trail.

DCI takes pride in caring a lot about our employees. We believe that employees should not be burdened with benefits expenses, so we provide lucrative health care plans unmatched in most other companies. We also like to eat at DCI and find any excuse to celebrate the most random holidays (Pi Day, Chocolate Ice Cream Day, etc.) We have monthly catered lunches, a fully stocked snack area, sporting tickets, wellness competitions, and most importantly a team of people who will tell you that DCI is the best place they've ever worked. This is evident by our long service team and low turnover.

We Celebrate Inclusion:

DCI is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at DCI is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. DCI does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by law.

It is DCI’s policy to comply with all applicable national, state and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. The Company's EEO policy includes the full & complete support of the Company and all levels of leadership. Because it's just the right thing to do. We hope you think so too.