Hardware Research and Development

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