Injet Application Engineer

Job Summary

The Inkjet Application Engineer will leverage decades worth of development to productize a printing capability for our custom printer for the creation of flexible electronics utilizing ink-jet printing technology.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between advanced R&D and commercial launch as we prepare for production ramp up of a novel, adaptable solution to meet industry needs. You will optimize inkjet and micro-pen delivery systems, troubleshoot complex hardware/software issues, and independently drive technical milestones to deliver advanced electronic and RF/Microwave components for DoD and commercial applications.

US Citizenship is required in accordance with federal regulations (ITAR).

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Test inks, printheads, and substrates to verify print quality, overall cycle time, and compatibility to meet customer target needs and conditions.
• Operate and optimize industrial inkjet printers and micro-pen dispensers to create high-precision electronic and RF components.
• Evaluate fluid-structure interactions and tune printing waveforms to achieve required precision for flexible and RF/Microwave electronics.
• Partner with sales teams to scope customer requirements, design custom print configurations, execute prototype prints, and provide cost estimates.
• Conduct proof-of-concept (PoC) evaluations to demonstrate system capabilities on specialized electronics substrates.
• Participate in technical discussions and contribute to white papers, proposals, and demonstrations for DoD and government agency R&D contracts.\
• Apply in-depth knowledge of electronics fundamentals to resolve complex fluidic, hardware, software, or integration issues for field service teams, subcontractors, and end users.
• Proactively identify potential risks in the printing process or product performance, then develop and implement solutions to ensure defect-free components.
• Conduct site visits, lead technical reviews, define work plans, and adapt in-house capabilities to customer needs.
• Monitor the progress of technical tasks, ensuring alignment with project objectives, timelines, and work authorizations.
• Deliver technical training to customer engineering teams and provide guidance and mentorship to junior internal engineers.
• Maintain clear, concise documentation of design efforts, write technical reports, create comprehensive application guides, and author standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Synthesize field data and customer challenges to provide actionable feedback to the internal R&D team and material suppliers to reduce production time/cost.

Position Qualifications

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Competency Statements

• Adaptability - Adapts to change, open to new ideas and responsibilities
• Communication - Ability to communicate thoughts clearly, both oral and written
• Job Knowledge - Understands facets of job, aware of duties and responsibilities, keeps job knowledge current
• Dependability - Meets deadlines, works independently, accountable, maintains focus, good attendance record
• Quality - Strives to eliminate errors, accurate work is a priority, seeks opportunities to improve products/services
• Ethics - Honest, accountable, maintains confidentiality
  Initiative – Takes action, seeks new opportunities, strives to see projects to completion
• Decision Making - Able to reach a decision, takes thoughtful approach when considering options, seeks input from others, makes difficult decisions
• Customer Service - Works well with customers, promotes a positive image of the company, strives to solve issues raised by customers

Experience and Skills

• 7+ years of experience in inkjet application development or additive manufacturing, with at least 2 years specifically focused on electronic, electrical, or RF/Microwave components.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
  Advanced understanding of industrial inkjet systems, specifically piezo/thermal printhead technology, waveform tuning, micro pen dispensers, and fluid rheology.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting industrial printers, debugging complex hardware/software issues, and refining print file manipulations using standard software tools.
• Familiarity with motion control systems, digital imaging tools, and metrology equipment (e.g., drop-watchers, profilometers).

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field is required.
• Master's degree or certifications in Additive Manufacturing/Printing Technologies is a plus.

Antenna Research Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries encourage diversity in the workplace; we are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Sexual Orientation/Gender/ Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran