Project Engineer

Company Overview:

Second Order Effects (SOE) is an engineering consultancy that transforms uncertainty into fully functional hardware and software. We work on projects at various stages of development and scope; we perform analysis, build prototypes, and take products to market. Our cross-disciplinary team solves critical problems across numerous industries, including automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, industrial automation, biomedical, green energy, and marine. Our designs control rocket engines, manage satellite communications, generate safety-overrides for self-driving cars, and are enjoyed by consumers around the world.

Founded in 2016, Second Order Effects has 90+ employees (and counting!) in offices in El Segundo, California and Redmond, Washington. We've worked with 90+ clients on 250+ projects as a partner, on a retainer, or on demand, all of which have no involvement with weapons.

How do we do this? We prioritize others, build the right thing, welcome difficulty, and play the long game. Learn more at soeffects.com!

Team Overview:

The Systems Integration and Test team is focused on early stage product development, systems integration, and test programs. The ideal candidate is excited by exposure to a wide variety of problems and can quickly architect, develop, and prototype novel product ideas to test market feasibility. On this team, you will work closely with customers to achieve their end goals while helping develop company infrastructure to improve project outputs as we continue to grow.

Job Overview:

As a Project Engineer, you will design, build, and test integrated mechanical, electrical, and software systems to create custom test equipment and product prototypes. You will also help develop internal equipment and processes to increase SOE's capabilities.

What You Will Do:

• Drive the design, build, and test of custom equipment for testing customer products
• Apply mechanical, electrical, and software knowledge to rapid prototype technical demonstration hardware for customer products
• Collaborate with multi-functional teams in developing requirements and managing interfaces with hardware and software within prototypes
• Provide technical solutions for desired user experiences
• Drive system architecture design, component selection, CAD design, prototyping, bring-up, debugging, testing, and documentation for electrical-mechanical-software (mechatronic) systems
• Interface with internal teams and customer teams to conduct design reviews for mechanical systems and CAD reviews
• Contribute hands-on to build and troubleshooting of subsystem and full system prototypes
• Develop software that enables communication with sensors, actuators or other hardware via PLC or directly through CAN, RS232/485, TPC/IP, or other protocols

What You Will Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering)
• 4+ years experience with mechanical, electrical, or software design and delivery
• Demonstrated rapid prototyping and iterative product development experience
• Experience designing, assembling, and testing systems where mechanics, electronics, and software intersect
• Experience with hands-on building and troubleshooting of subsystem and full system prototypes
• Excellent oral and written communication skills when communicating complex technical topics
• Proactive mindset with demonstrated creative and critical thinking capabilities

What Would Be Useful:

• Ability to define project scope, goals, schedules, and cost estimates for project bidding
• Experience with navigating a complex system to diagnose unexpected issues, using test equipment or software to gain insight and develop fixes that are successful and resilient
• Experience with Information Technology (IT) industry, infrastructure, and best practices
• Experience with configuring and maintaining data-logging services such as InfluxDB
• Experience with environmental, lifecycle, or reliability testing to industry standards (eg., SMC-S-016, HALT/HASS)
• Strong software development skills in Python, C/C++, Java, or Rust
• Experience with and understanding of ROS and trade-offs using the ROS architecture
• 2+ years of CAD experience (e.g., Solidworks, Creo, Inventor, etc.)
• Experience in circuit analysis and associated tools (e.g. LTSpice)
• Experience with EDA software (e.g. Altium)

Additional Requirements:

• Applicant must be willing to work 40 hours a week on-site in El Segundo, California, USA
• Applicant must be eligible to work on ITAR projects
• Job Type: Full-time (Salary)

ITAR Requirements:

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship at this time.
  

Benefits:

• Compensation range of $80,000-$120,000 + equity incentive plan
• 100% employer-paid health insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) for employees + 50% dependent coverage
• Flexible paid time off policy + 11 paid holidays + 12 paid sick days
• 401(k) retirement account and employer matching (Safe Harbor 4%)
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Paid parental leave
• Relocation assistance available if 50+ miles away from the office
• Electric Vehicle (EV) charging ports
• Casual dress code
• Daily catered lunches, snacks, and accessible kitchen
• & more!

If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply!

Second Order Effects is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SOE is governed on the basis of excellence and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.