Engineering Physicist
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. As a partner, on retainer, or on demand, we've worked with 90+ clients on 250+ projects, none of which involve 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 Special Projects (SP) team works within Second Order Effects on projects that blur the line between physics and engineering. The SP team owns research and development programs that consist of RF design, electro-optics, sensor development, and electromagnetism. Our goal is to help add technical capability (rather than breadth) that may also result in intellectual property for SOE.
Job Overview:
Engineering Physicists at SOE will work with a multidisciplinary team of engineers to develop novel solutions to hard problems. At SOE, we participate in early product development activities that often require architecting sensors, mechanical systems, electromagnetic systems, or optical systems, from scratch. In these situations, deep understanding of physics fundamentals is required to unlock creative solutions. As an Engineering Physicist, you will innovate difficult technical solutions and communicate them effectively to the team and clients. You will also be responsible for bridging the gap between physical fundamentals and design.
What You Will Do:
- Early Project Design
- Technical requirement generation
- Trade studies
- Analysis
- Prototyping
- Mechanical
- Electrical
- Test
- Engineering test design
- Test and measurement of new systems
- Troubleshooting and design iteration
- Documentation / Communication
- Documenting & explaining theories of operation for engineers / customers
What You Will Need:
- BS in EE / ECE / ME / Applied Physics or related discipline
- Understanding of EE, ME, and RF fundamentals
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- >1 year experience in an experimental physics or engineering role
- Basic programming skills
- Experience with electrical prototyping
- Familiarity with electrical test equipment and measurement techniques
What Would Be Useful:
- MS / PhD in EE / ECE / ME / Applied Physics or related discipline
- >4 years experience in an experimental physics or engineering role
- Experience with 3D EM simulation
- Experience with mechanical FEA
- Deep understanding of RF / EMI / Electromagnetism
- Deep understanding of thermodynamics and thermal measurement
- Experience with mechanical CAD tools
- Experience with PCB design tools such as Altium Designer
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:
- Competitive compensation + 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.