Picarro is seeking a Systems Engineer with deep expertise in heat transfer and fluid mechanics to design, characterize, and optimize thermal and fluidic subsystems for our Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) instrumentation. This role combines hands-on engineering with simulation-driven design, requiring proficiency in CAD, CFD/thermal analysis tools, and practical system integration.
Requirements
- Design and architect fluidic systems, including gas handling, sample flow paths, valves, pumps, and manifolds
- Develop thermal management solutions for temperature-critical components (optical cavities, lasers, detectors)
- Create detailed designs in SolidWorks with full consideration of DFM, assembly, and serviceability
- Perform trade studies to optimize designs for performance, cost, and reliability
- Conduct thermal and CFD simulations using ANSYS and/or COMSOL to predict system behavior
- Validate simulation models against experimental data and refine as needed
- Analyze heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) and fluid flow (pressure drop, mixing, residence time)
- Lead hands-on characterization of thermal and fluidic subsystem performance
- Develop test fixtures, protocols, and instrumentation for thermal/flow measurements
- Integrate subsystems into full analyzer assemblies and validate system-level performance
- Troubleshoot thermal and fluidic issues; perform root-cause analysis and drive corrective actions
- Support environmental testing (temperature cycling, altitude, humidity)
- Work with external suppliers and machine shops to source components and fabricate custom parts
- Manage vendor relationships for fluidic components (valves, fittings, tubing, pumps)
- Support manufacturing with clear specifications, drawings, and assembly procedures
- Drive design-for-manufacturing improvements and cost reduction initiatives
- Apply design control practices appropriate for regulated product development
- Maintain proper documentation, design history files, and change control
- Participate in design reviews, FMEA, and risk assessments
- Support qualification and validation activities as required
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
- Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
- Employee Referral Program
- 401K
- Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
- On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)
