Sr Hardware/Mechatronics Technologist

Full Job Description

STL Engineering is looking to fill the position of Sr Hardware Technologist. As a Sr Hardware Technologist, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and testing mechanical and electronic systems for a variety of cutting-edge projects. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineers to create innovative solutions that meet our clients' needs. If you are passionate about hardware and mechatronics engineering, this is an excellent opportunity to enhance your skills.

Who are we: STL Engineering is a leading Mechanical/Electrical Engineering and Design services provider based in Ottawa, ON. Specializing in rugged electronics and applications. We are committed to delivering innovative solutions to our clients' engineering challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership

• Define, oversee, and perform hardware architecture development for rugged electronic systems, from concept through production.
• Lead and mentor hardware engineers and PCB designers, reviewing schematics, layouts, and test plans.
• Drive design decisions balancing ruggedness, performance, manufacturability, and cost.
• Serve as the primary technical interface for hardware-related discussions with customers, suppliers, and test labs.

Hardware Design & PCB Development

• Own schematic design, component selection, and PCB layout for complex rugged systems.
• Ensure high-quality PCB design with considerations for high-speed signals, power integrity, EMI/EMC, and thermal management.
• Create and validate stack-ups, materials, and finishes to meet ruggedization requirements.
• Guide and create design documentation, BOMs, and hardware specifications for project teams.

Testing & Compliance

• Oversee and perform hardware bring-up, debugging, and validation of prototypes.
• Direct environmental and compliance testing (thermal, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, ingress protection).
• Ensure compliance with ruggedization standards (MIL-STD, DO-160, IP ratings).
• Lead failure analysis, root cause investigations, and implementation of corrective actions.

Collaboration & Integration

• Partner with mechanical, firmware, and system engineers to ensure seamless integration of hardware into ruggedized products.
• Engage with manufacturing partners to optimize designs for assembly, test, and long-term reliability.
• Participate in design reviews with internal teams and customers, presenting technical findings and solutions.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Champion process improvements in hardware design and PCB development.
• Evaluate new technologies, components, and design methods to enhance ruggedization and reliability.
• Build and maintain organizational knowledge on rugged electronics design best practices.

The ideal candidate should possess:

• Education: Successfully completed Technologist degree, or a related field.
• Work Experience: Minimum 7yrs professional experience, post undergraduate degree
• Technical Skills: Experienced in designing, simulating, and troubleshooting mixed-signal circuits, including low-noise analog front-ends, power regulation, microcontroller/DSP interfaces, FPGA's and high-speed digital logic. Skilled with schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g., Altium, KiCAD).Experience with mCAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo) a plus.
• Knowledge: Understanding of electronic circuit theory and practical design principles for both analog and digital systems in high reliability environments. Proficient in using simulation tools such as SPICE (LTspice, PSpice), Multisim, and behavioral modeling to validate performance, analyze signal integrity, and optimize designs before prototyping. Understanding of mechanical systems, control systems, and robotics an asset.
• Problem-Solving: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex systems.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly and concisely.
• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of design and documentation.
• Teamwork: Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced team environment.
• Adaptability: Willingness to learn new skills and adapt to changing project requirements and priorities.

Salary Range:

• $90k-$130k

Benefits:

• Drug, Dental and Life Insurance
• 3 weeks Vacation
• 3 floater days/paid time off (applied in December)

Schedule:

• 37.5 Hour Work Week
• Monday to Friday

Work Location:

• Kanata, ON