Principal Systems Engineer – Scientific Instruments

Anton Paar QuantaTec Inc•Boynton Beach, FL

About The Position

Are you the type of engineer who evaluates a new measurement concept and can quickly determine whether it will work—or why it won’t? Anton Paar QuantaTec is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to define the architecture of next-generation analytical instruments before development begins. In this role, you will apply first-principles physics, quantitative modeling, and system-level tradeoff analysis to evaluate measurement concepts, define instrument architectures, and ensure that only physically sound and scalable designs enter product development. You will operate at the front end of innovation, shaping new instrument platforms and evaluating emerging sensing technologies that will influence Anton Paar’s future product portfolio. ---------------------------------------- WHAT YOU WILL ARCHITECT Analytical laboratory instruments that characterize powders and porous materials using techniques such as: Physisorption Chemisorption Gas pycnometry Mercury intrusion porosimetry Capillary flow porometry Physically viable system concepts and modular architectures that are reusable across multiple instruments. ---------------------------------------- KEY RESPONSIBILITIES ARCHITECTURAL PLANNING Identify dominant physical effects, cross-domain interactions, and disturbance mechanisms, and distinguish them from negligible effects during early concept evaluation. Establish functional and physical modularization strategies balancing measurement performance, serviceability, and reuse. Specify system boundaries, module interfaces, and architectural constraints. Select enabling technologies based on quantitative feasibility and robustness. FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE Analyze operational requirements, including sensitivity, stability, noise, drift, and environmental influences. Derive and assess measures to achieve reliable, high-quality measurement results within known physical and practical limits. Develop simplified physical models, first-principle estimates, and error budgets to evaluate measurement feasibility, performance limits, and architectural trade-offs prior to detailed design. BUSINESS ALIGNMENT Ensure technically feasible system concepts are aligned with strategic goals, cost constraints, scalability, and long-term product sustainability. DECISION-MAKING & TECHNICAL AUTHORITY Evaluate competing physical system concepts using quantitative analysis and first-principles reasoning and determine whether concepts are physically viable for development. Provide architecture-level go/no-go recommendations during concept and pre-development stages. Serve as a technical authority during development, ensuring adherence to the defined system architecture. Support resolution of architecture-relevant issues when deviations or conflicts arise. Assess existing instruments to identify architectural weaknesses, performance limitations, and opportunities for reuse or improvement. Document architectural decisions, models, assumptions, and interfaces to ensure long-term reuse and traceability. Protect and manage architectural knowledge and intellectual property. Note: This role owns the physical system architecture. Software architecture and implementation are outside its scope. Occasional domestic or international travel may be required (<5%). ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Required BS in Physical Sciences, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or similar field Minimum 5 years of experience in engineering or physics-based product development Demonstrated experience in physical modeling, error budgeting, and early-stage concept evaluation Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate within diverse technical teams Experience evaluating software architectures, reviewing code, or conducting technology assessments for business or acquisition decisions Preferred PhD in Physical Sciences, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or similar field Experience in precision instrument or product development Experience in project management Experience generating technical documentation: requirements, specifications, reports, plans, procedures Experience in technology due diligence, M&A assessment, or evaluating acquisition targets from a systems/software perspective ---------------------------------------- SUCCESS CRITERIA Physically viable system concepts are defined and released into product development Architectural modules are reused across instruments with minimal adaptation Product developments avoid late-stage redesigns due to unrecognized physical limitations Architectural decisions, models, assumptions, and trade-offs are documented and traceable ---------------------------------------- CORE COMPETENCIES Technical Expertise First-principles estimates and physics-based reasoning Compare competing physical concepts Reason across domains without detailed simulation Identify dominant vs negligible effects Problem Solving Effectively identifies issues and evaluates options Escalates trade-offs where required Time Management Achieves results within defined timeframes Prioritizes conflicting workstreams or escalates to R&D Director Teamwork Works effectively in cross-functional and inter-company teams Understands role and contribution within multidisciplinary groups Quality Applies structured problem-solving approaches Verifies work thoroughly, maintains attention to detail Seeks continuous improvement opportunities ---------------------------------------- WHO WE ARE Anton Paar’s high-precision instruments help develop everyday products: shampoo, shoes, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, batteries, jet engines, and even pavement. We work with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and leading universities. Owned by the Santner Foundation, Anton Paar invests heavily in R&D to deliver industry-leading products while maintaining long-term stability and independence. Headquartered in Graz, Austria, Anton Paar operates worldwide. ---------------------------------------- SUPERVISION & WORK ENVIRONMENT Individual contributor role with technical authority, working closely with Engineering and Product Development teams Regular sitting, standing, walking, communication, and handling of equipment Occasional lifting up to 20 lbs Requires ability to obtain a passport for international travel ---------------------------------------- Anton Paar QuantaTec Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #LI-JM2

Requirements

BS in Physical Sciences, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or similar field
Minimum 5 years of experience in engineering or physics-based product development
Demonstrated experience in physical modeling, error budgeting, and early-stage concept evaluation
Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate within diverse technical teams
Experience evaluating software architectures, reviewing code, or conducting technology assessments for business or acquisition decisions

Nice To Haves

PhD in Physical Sciences, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or similar field
Experience in precision instrument or product development
Experience in project management
Experience generating technical documentation: requirements, specifications, reports, plans, procedures
Experience in technology due diligence, M&A assessment, or evaluating acquisition targets from a systems/software perspective

Responsibilities

Identify dominant physical effects, cross-domain interactions, and disturbance mechanisms, and distinguish them from negligible effects during early concept evaluation.
Establish functional and physical modularization strategies balancing measurement performance, serviceability, and reuse.
Specify system boundaries, module interfaces, and architectural constraints.
Select enabling technologies based on quantitative feasibility and robustness.
Analyze operational requirements, including sensitivity, stability, noise, drift, and environmental influences.
Derive and assess measures to achieve reliable, high-quality measurement results within known physical and practical limits.
Develop simplified physical models, first-principle estimates, and error budgets to evaluate measurement feasibility, performance limits, and architectural trade-offs prior to detailed design.
Ensure technically feasible system concepts are aligned with strategic goals, cost constraints, scalability, and long-term product sustainability.
Evaluate competing physical system concepts using quantitative analysis and first-principles reasoning and determine whether concepts are physically viable for development.
Provide architecture-level go/no-go recommendations during concept and pre-development stages.
Serve as a technical authority during development, ensuring adherence to the defined system architecture.
Support resolution of architecture-relevant issues when deviations or conflicts arise.
Assess existing instruments to identify architectural weaknesses, performance limitations, and opportunities for reuse or improvement.
Document architectural decisions, models, assumptions, and interfaces to ensure long-term reuse and traceability.
Protect and manage architectural knowledge and intellectual property.