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Job Location: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, US
Position Type: Full-Time
To find out more about this position and/or APPLY, please visit the RIC career center posting at:
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General Job Description:
Under the general supervision of the assigned Director of Research Operations, covers the engineering needs within the activities of a small electrical and mechanical instrumentation shop. Handles electrical and mechanical design work based on descriptions of requested projects. Organizes and provides the administrative oversight of design and fabrication work. Interacts with researchers, scientists, engineers, other staff, and suppliers to operate shop facility as a stand-alone, service-providing entity.
Consistently demonstrates support of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) statement of Vision, Mission and Core Values by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the institute.
Demonstrates RIC Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and RIC Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, & Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties.
Principal Responsibilities
1. Electronics Design and Fabrication
* Works both independently and as part of an instrumentation/machine shop unit (within a research environment) to design and fabricate small scale electrical and electronics systems requested by researchers.
* Required to advance electronics designs from any stage of concept or development through to delivery of tested and functioning units.
* Responsible for professional electronics schematic designs, printed circuit board (PCB) layouts, simulations, cost analyses, written descriptions, to communicate electronics designs and carry out the fabrication.
* Provides the fabrication, debugging, testing, delivery, and adjustment of new and existing electronics systems and devices.
* Required to research, determine, and source all electronics parts and components as needed for designs and fabrication.
2. Mechanical Design and Fabrication Support
* Works both independently and as part of an instrumentation/machine shop unit (within a research environment) to support the design and fabrication of small- to medium-scale mechanical and physical devices requested by researchers.
* Required to provide mechanical insight (viability, safety, fabrication, ease of assembly, cost control, etc.) to existing and evolving designs.
* Responsible for small- to medium-scale mechanical design drawing; generally formalizing the designs of others into proper CAD/CAM form.
* Works with machinist and/or instrument maker to provide the fabrication, installation, modification, repair, and adjustment of new and existing mechanical devices.
* Required to research, determine, and source all mechanical fabrication supplies and stock material as needed.
3. Instrumentation Shop Oversight
* Provides general operational oversight of the service-providing instrumentation/machine shop unit. Handles incoming work estimation requests for both electronics and mechanical projects.
* Coordinates and delivers accurate work estimates, and handles all project closure, delivery, and billing administrative duties on behalf of shop unit.
* Organizes and facilitates other shop administrative duties such as: equipment maintenance scheduling, machine room orientation and education, material and supplies stock, and minor financial tracking and forecasting.
* Maintains relationships with equipment and material suppliers, maintenance service providers, and outside fabrication shops for specialized or unique needs.
* Aids in annual budgeting and fiscal planning and oversees some day-to-day financial operations.
4. General
* Participates in the maintenance of a safe work environment through adherence to policies and procedures relative to safety, fire prevention, hazard communications, security, equipment use and maintenance, infection control and vehicle safety.
Reporting Relationships
Reports to the Director of Operations of the Center for Bionic Medicine, RIC and works in an environment that is overseen by the Director of the Center for Bionic Medicine and the Director of Research of the Sensory Motor Performance Program, RIC.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required
1. Education and Experience
* A professional level of knowledge in engineering technology and fabrication acquired through the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. Master's degree is preferred. Biomedical or Mechatronics Engineering will be considered.
* Two years of experience in engineering, electronics, and/or mechatronics preferred.
2. Electronics Design and Fabrication
* Require familiarity with electronics and circuit design involving: digital signal processors and related development kits, amplification and filtering, power conditioning and isolation, analog-to-digital, digital-to-analog, digital I/O, and other common electronics systems components.
* Experience with motor control systems, signal processing, data acquisition, and programming of development platforms and basic software utilities is preferred.
* Proficiency and experience with electronics printed circuit board (PCB) design, routing, simulation, validation, analysis, and layout software required.
* Proficiency and experience with use of industry standard measurement and analysis equipment (oscilloscope, function generator, spectrum analyzer, etc.) required.
* Skilled electronics fabrication abilities (soldering, desoldering, wiring, assembly, etc.) are necessary.
3. Mechanical Design and Fabrication Support
* Experience with mechanical design software (CAD/CAM) preferred.
* Knowledge of mechanical systems, assemblies, and machine shop fabrication processes preferred.
* Ability to work with hand tools, electronic tools, and machine tools to fabricate, adjust, modify and repair devices as necessary.
* Machine shop experience is an asset.
4. Other Requirements
* Strong organizational and project management skills.
* Analytical abilities necessary to understand complex problems and to resolve these problems through the application of appropriate technologies and engineering.
* Proficiency with basic personal computer systems.
* Strong business acumen; the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions with a keenness and depth of perception that helps operate the instrumentation shop akin to a small business unit.
Working Conditions
1. General laboratory setting with small electronics, mechatronics, and prosthetics facilities.
2. Fabrication and assembly area with occasional exposure to loud noises, unpleasant odors and dust.
3. Limited exposure to chemical, mechanical and electrical hazards.
4. Ability to move equipment and materials as needed.
5. Appropriate personal protective gear and environmental systems are provided.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
To find out more about this position and/or APPLY, please visit the RIC career center posting at:
Position Type: Full-Time
To find out more about this position and/or APPLY, please visit the RIC career center posting at:
General Job Description:
Under the general supervision of the assigned Director of Research Operations, covers the engineering needs within the activities of a small electrical and mechanical instrumentation shop. Handles electrical and mechanical design work based on descriptions of requested projects. Organizes and provides the administrative oversight of design and fabrication work. Interacts with researchers, scientists, engineers, other staff, and suppliers to operate shop facility as a stand-alone, service-providing entity.
Consistently demonstrates support of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) statement of Vision, Mission and Core Values by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the institute.
Demonstrates RIC Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and RIC Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, & Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties.
Principal Responsibilities
1. Electronics Design and Fabrication
* Works both independently and as part of an instrumentation/machine shop unit (within a research environment) to design and fabricate small scale electrical and electronics systems requested by researchers.
* Required to advance electronics designs from any stage of concept or development through to delivery of tested and functioning units.
* Responsible for professional electronics schematic designs, printed circuit board (PCB) layouts, simulations, cost analyses, written descriptions, to communicate electronics designs and carry out the fabrication.
* Provides the fabrication, debugging, testing, delivery, and adjustment of new and existing electronics systems and devices.
* Required to research, determine, and source all electronics parts and components as needed for designs and fabrication.
2. Mechanical Design and Fabrication Support
* Works both independently and as part of an instrumentation/machine shop unit (within a research environment) to support the design and fabrication of small- to medium-scale mechanical and physical devices requested by researchers.
* Required to provide mechanical insight (viability, safety, fabrication, ease of assembly, cost control, etc.) to existing and evolving designs.
* Responsible for small- to medium-scale mechanical design drawing; generally formalizing the designs of others into proper CAD/CAM form.
* Works with machinist and/or instrument maker to provide the fabrication, installation, modification, repair, and adjustment of new and existing mechanical devices.
* Required to research, determine, and source all mechanical fabrication supplies and stock material as needed.
3. Instrumentation Shop Oversight
* Provides general operational oversight of the service-providing instrumentation/machine shop unit. Handles incoming work estimation requests for both electronics and mechanical projects.
* Coordinates and delivers accurate work estimates, and handles all project closure, delivery, and billing administrative duties on behalf of shop unit.
* Organizes and facilitates other shop administrative duties such as: equipment maintenance scheduling, machine room orientation and education, material and supplies stock, and minor financial tracking and forecasting.
* Maintains relationships with equipment and material suppliers, maintenance service providers, and outside fabrication shops for specialized or unique needs.
* Aids in annual budgeting and fiscal planning and oversees some day-to-day financial operations.
4. General
* Participates in the maintenance of a safe work environment through adherence to policies and procedures relative to safety, fire prevention, hazard communications, security, equipment use and maintenance, infection control and vehicle safety.
Reporting Relationships
Reports to the Director of Operations of the Center for Bionic Medicine, RIC and works in an environment that is overseen by the Director of the Center for Bionic Medicine and the Director of Research of the Sensory Motor Performance Program, RIC.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required
1. Education and Experience
* A professional level of knowledge in engineering technology and fabrication acquired through the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. Master's degree is preferred. Biomedical or Mechatronics Engineering will be considered.
* Two years of experience in engineering, electronics, and/or mechatronics preferred.
2. Electronics Design and Fabrication
* Require familiarity with electronics and circuit design involving: digital signal processors and related development kits, amplification and filtering, power conditioning and isolation, analog-to-digital, digital-to-analog, digital I/O, and other common electronics systems components.
* Experience with motor control systems, signal processing, data acquisition, and programming of development platforms and basic software utilities is preferred.
* Proficiency and experience with electronics printed circuit board (PCB) design, routing, simulation, validation, analysis, and layout software required.
* Proficiency and experience with use of industry standard measurement and analysis equipment (oscilloscope, function generator, spectrum analyzer, etc.) required.
* Skilled electronics fabrication abilities (soldering, desoldering, wiring, assembly, etc.) are necessary.
3. Mechanical Design and Fabrication Support
* Experience with mechanical design software (CAD/CAM) preferred.
* Knowledge of mechanical systems, assemblies, and machine shop fabrication processes preferred.
* Ability to work with hand tools, electronic tools, and machine tools to fabricate, adjust, modify and repair devices as necessary.
* Machine shop experience is an asset.
4. Other Requirements
* Strong organizational and project management skills.
* Analytical abilities necessary to understand complex problems and to resolve these problems through the application of appropriate technologies and engineering.
* Proficiency with basic personal computer systems.
* Strong business acumen; the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions with a keenness and depth of perception that helps operate the instrumentation shop akin to a small business unit.
Working Conditions
1. General laboratory setting with small electronics, mechatronics, and prosthetics facilities.
2. Fabrication and assembly area with occasional exposure to loud noises, unpleasant odors and dust.
3. Limited exposure to chemical, mechanical and electrical hazards.
4. Ability to move equipment and materials as needed.
5. Appropriate personal protective gear and environmental systems are provided.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
To find out more about this position and/or APPLY, please visit the RIC career center posting at: