Automation & Instrumentation Engineer

E Ink Corporation•Fremont, CA

19h•$110,000 - $148,000•Hybrid

About The Position

E Ink is seeking an Automation & Instrumentation Engineer to join our Optical Engineering and Automation team to develop, integrate, and support automated laboratories and test systems used for electro-optic characterization and chemistry workflows. This role is well suited for an engineer who enjoys building and owning complete systems that combine hardware, software and user applications. The engineer will work closely with scientists, engineers, and equipment vendors to translate experimental and testing needs into reliable, maintainable automation solutions. An ideal candidate will be comfortable working on open-ended engineering problems that require experimentation and iterative development. They will have strong Python programming skills, hands-on experience integrating laboratory or test equipment, and the ability to independently troubleshoot systems across software, electrical, and mechanical boundaries. Experience with CAD/SolidWorks and LabVIEW is preferred.

Requirements

B.S. in Mechatronics, Mechanical, Electrical, or Robotics Engineering, or a related discipline, with 3–5 years of relevant professional experience; or an M.S. in one of these fields with 1–3 years of relevant experience.
Strong Python programming skills and experience with CAD tools such as SolidWorks.
Experience integrating, assembling, wiring, prototyping, and troubleshooting multidisciplinary automated systems involving software, electrical hardware, instrumentation, sensors, and mechanical components.
Ability to translate loosely defined technical problems into system requirements and practical engineering solutions.
Strong technical documentation, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with scientists, engineers, technicians, and external equipment vendors.
Ability and willingness to independently learn new instruments, technologies, test methods, and scientific concepts.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing automation software, graphical user interfaces, or engineering applications for instrument control, data acquisition, laboratory testing, manufacturing, robotics, or similar hardware-based systems; LabVIEW experience is a plus.
Experience designing mechanical fixtures, sample holders, enclosures, or prototype hardware.
Familiarity with DAQs, oscilloscopes, sensors, relays, switches, motion-control hardware, and similar instrumentation.
Experience with automated data validation, diagnostic or failure-detection tools, engineering data visualization, or measurement-method development.
Experience with software version control, collaborative software development practices, and equipment-vendor coordination throughout specification, integration, installation, and acceptance testing.

Responsibilities

Develop Lab Automation Systems: Partner with scientists and engineers to automate existing and new test methods, including design and fabrication of sample holders, enclosures, electrical subsystems, and user interfaces. Upgrade and troubleshoot automated instruments involving spectrophotometers and cameras, and related electro-optic testing systems.
Chemistry Labs Automation: Support the design, programming, integration, and troubleshooting of chemistry labs automation systems in collaboration with scientists, engineers, and equipment vendors.
Hardware & Instrument Integration: Integrate measurement and control hardware, such as X-Rite instruments, DAQs, switches, relays, sensors, and other electrical/mechanical components.
Software & API Integration: Develop Python/LabVIEW automation software and integrate instrument-specific APIs/SDKs to improve testing efficiency, reliability, and scalability.
Data Quality & Automation Infrastructure: Develop methods for automated data validation, failure-mode detection, troubleshooting, and system maintenance. Support database automation, data visualization, and production automation initiatives as needed.