Sr. Electrical Engineer
Danaher Corporation
Summary
The Senior Electrical Engineer is responsible for architecting, designing, integrating, and sustaining the electrical subsystems used in complex life science instrumentation. This role provides hands-on technical leadership from concept through production, with focus on reliable electronics, motion and sensor control, programmable logic, digital communications, design verification, and resolution of field and manufacturing issues.
Job description
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
- Own the electrical design of instrument subsystems, including analog and digital circuitry, FPGA- and CPLD-based logic, power distribution, motor and actuator control, sensors, communications interfaces, and safety-related functions.
- Translate user needs and system requirements into electrical architecture, schematics, printed circuit board designs, interface specifications, verification plans, risk-control measures, and complete design documentation.
- Build and test prototypes; perform board bring-up, system integration, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and design verification using laboratory instrumentation and structured problem-solving methods.
- Partner with systems, mechanical, software, firmware, quality, regulatory, and service teams to conduct risk assessments and design reviews; support product release and sustaining engineering; and resolve manufacturing and field issues through root-cause analysis and corrective action.
The essential requirements of the job include:
- At minimum, a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline is required.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience developing electrical components for complex electromechanical products, including ownership of designs through integration, verification, and production release.
- Demonstrated proficiency in mixed-signal circuit design, schematic capture, multilayer printed circuit board development, power electronics, motor or actuator control, sensors and interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, USB, CAN, or Ethernet.
- Required hands-on experience with Altium Designer for schematic capture and printed circuit board design, and SOLIDWORKS for mechanical packaging, enclosure, assembly, and electrical-mechanical integration reviews.
- Hands-on proficiency with FPGA and CPLD design using VHDL or Verilog, including logic simulation, synthesis, timing analysis, device programming, and hardware debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, digital multimeters, power supplies, version control, and vendor development tools.
Travel, Motor Vehicle Record & Physical/Environment Requirements:
- Ability to work in an engineering laboratory and manufacturing environment in San Jose, California.
- Ability to handle and move benchtop instruments, prototypes, and test equipment weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Some traveling might be required.
It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:
- Developing life science, medical, laboratory automation, robotics, imaging, or analytical instrumentation within an ISO-aligned quality system using formal design-control and risk-management processes.
- Electromagnetic compatibility, electrical safety, environmental, and reliability testing for commercial instrumentation, including design-for-compliance and mitigation practices.
- High-speed digital design, hardware-description-language testbenches, scripting-based test automation, product lifecycle management systems, Jira, or Agile product-development methods.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience developing electrical components for complex electromechanical products
- Demonstrated proficiency in mixed-signal circuit design, schematic capture, multilayer printed circuit board development, power electronics, motor or actuator control, sensors and interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, USB, CAN, or Ethernet
- Required hands-on experience with Altium Designer for schematic capture and printed circuit board design
- Required hands-on experience with SOLIDWORKS for mechanical packaging, enclosure, assembly, and electrical-mechanical integration reviews
- Hands-on proficiency with FPGA and CPLD design using VHDL or Verilog, including logic simulation, synthesis, timing analysis, device programming, and hardware debugging
- Ability to work in an engineering laboratory and manufacturing environment in San Jose, California
- Ability to handle and move benchtop instruments, prototypes, and test equipment weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
- Some traveling might be required
Benefits
- Health care program
- Paid time off
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Bonus/incentive pay
Company overview
Danaher Corporation is a leading global science and technology innovator headquartered in Washington, D.C., specializing in biotechnology, life sciences, and diagnostics. Founded in 1984 by brothers Steven and Mitchell Rales, the company has evolved from its origins as a manufacturing conglomerate into a premier healthcare technology organization with approximately 63,000 employees worldwide. Danaher operates through three core divisions: biotechnology (28% of revenues), which develops products for therapeutic development; life sciences (31% of revenues), focused on disease identification, new therapies, and drug testing/manufacturing; and diagnostics (41% of revenues), providing instruments, consumables, and software for disease diagnosis. The company's portfolio includes renowned brands such as Beckman Coulter, Cytiva, Pall Corporation, Cepheid, Leica Microsystems, and Abcam, serving pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, healthcare providers, and research institutions globally. Danaher is distinguished by its Danaher Business System (DBS), a continuous improvement methodology that drives innovation and operational excellence. With 2024 revenues of $23.9 billion, the company ranks 180th on the Fortune 500 and plays a critical role in advancing scientific research, improving diagnostic capabilities, and accelerating the development of life-saving therapies.