Technology Development Electrical Engineer

The goal of the Technology Transfer Assistance Project (TTAP) in Cleveland, OH is to further develop and accelerate VA intellectual property. Cleveland TTAP will work directly with VA inventors and the VA Technology Transfer Program (TTP) to evaluate invention disclosures for devices, create prototypes, and improve designs to increase the likelihood of commercialization. Furthermore, the TTAP will build relationships with potential commercialization partners to help increase the success of VA inventions reaching the marketplace and ultimately benefiting Veterans and the American public.

The Cleveland TTAP expects 4-6 inventions from the VA Technology Transfer Program (TTP) or the local R&D program per year. VA TTP will engage Cleveland TTAP when inventions relevant to VANEOHS and the relative strengths of the APT Center and FES Center arise. Cleveland TTAP will be led by a Program Manager who will oversee all operations and manage engineering staff to which this Electrical Engineer position will report.

Position Summary:

The Electrical Engineer for the TTAP program in Cleveland, OH will lead all electrical engineering efforts on approximately 4-6 medical device related projects per year. These efforts include the design, development, building, and, if applicable, testing of hardware and/or software for new prototypes. This position will report to the TTAP Program Manager (PM) and will be located in the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and/or on campus at Case Western Reserve University. The Electrical Engineer will frequently utilize the facilities and resources available to the program at Case Western Reserve University’s Sears think[box] and the Technical Development Laboratory (TDL) to design and build prototypes.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

· Lead all electrical engineering efforts in the design, building, and testing of hardware and/or software components for prototypes.

· Engage VA inventors and TTAP staff to execute tasks according to project plan, timeline, and budget.

· Train and be proficient using all relevant fabrication and testing equipment at Sears Think[box] and TDL to bring functional prototypes to life.

· Create and maintain design history and quality documentation.

Specific Job Elements

· Assist in extracting design requirements and input specifications from inventors and other stakeholders.

· Lead the design and development of hardware and software components for projects; this includes electronics design, layouts, simulation, and prototyping

· Generate and maintain engineering specifications including part numbers and BOMs for components and assemblies for purchasing, fabrication, and general system management.

· Assist PM in estimating cost and timelines for incoming projects.

· Coordinate with PM and purchasing representatives to identify external suppliers and vendors for design, fabrication, and testing.

· Lead prototype and build efforts for projects using facilities and equipment at Sears think[box] and TDL; this will include being trained on and using all relevant fabrication and testing equipment

· Conduct and participate in design reviews and risk analyses to identify critical system components.

· Identify relevant industry standard test procedures and generate necessary test protocols and engineering analyses, as needed.

· Report progress and formally present technical information to inventor(s), PM, and other staff as needed.

· Generate and maintain relevant quality system and design history documentation; this includes utilizing version control and source code management tools.

· Assist in recruiting, training, and mentoring Cleveland TTAP student interns and co-ops.

· Collaborate with cross-functional teams including the APT Center, FES Center, Innovators Network, and Sears think[box] on specific projects.

· Develop knowledge of current medical device technology and trends pertaining to products and manufacturing.

· Create and foster positive team culture and translational/commercialization mindset.

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s, M.S. or equivalent in electrical engineering field

· Prior experience in product design or medical device R&D

· Experience in electronics design, simulation, and prototyping is required; this includes experience in PCB design software

· Proficient in using test lab equipment including multimeters, oscilloscopes, soldering iron, and power supplies

· Knowledge of software design, app development, and embedded systems is preferred

· Excellent organizational, time management, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills

· US Citizenship Required