Experimental Physicist / Research Engineer - SRI International

SRI International has an immediate opportunity for an Experimental Physicist / Research Engineer on-site at our headquarters in Menlo Park, CA.  The position will be part of a close-knit team of applied physical scientists and engineers working across SRI on exciting leading-edge R&D projects for our government and commercial customers.

SRI International's Advanced Technology and Systems Division (ATSD) performs research in a wide variety of areas including: robotics and automation, novel material development and mechanical systems, advanced optics and photonics, quantum sensing, ISR, radar, digital signal processing, communication systems, imaging systems, navigation and timing systems, free space optical communication systems, and many more areas. We specialize in developing technology in these domains to solve important problems. We conduct this R&D for a wide variety of US government and commercial clients, with applications ranging from basic scientific exploration to national security to commercialization.

• Will design electromechanical systems for spacecraft, space manufacturing, communication systems, and optical pointing components and systems.
• The activities will be very hands-on, operating over a variety of projects that involve the development of electromechanical systems and enabling field demonstrations with hardware for government end-users.
• Ideally, activities will span from concept generation and initial modeling, proof-of-concept experimental demonstrations, to integration of prototype systems.

This is a junior PI-track (principal investigator) opportunity to be mentored to become a PI for new research thrusts; based on your own ideas and direct interactions with customers, both in and outside your area of academic expertise. 

• PhD in Physics, Physical Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or equivalent.  Emerging talent welcome to apply!
• Due to government requirements candidates must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to transfer/obtain/maintain a U.S. government security clearance
• Active Secret desired
• Excellent working knowledge of mechanical and electromagnetic systems to make leading edge contributions to current and future research and development programs.
• Hands-on experience with electro-mechanical research systems
• Comfortable with digital and analog circuits (designing and testing filters, op amps, power electronics, etc.)
• Experience with laboratory control and data collection systems like LabView or the Arduino environment
• Solid numerical and analytical programming and modeling skills (e.g. Python, C++, COMSOL, etc.)
• A wide breadth of skills desired: (i.e. instrumentation, circuits, firmware, microcontrollers, python, signal processing, control theory, rapid prototyping, electromagnetics, experimental design)

Sub-specialties of interest should include one or more of the following:

• Experimental Physics
• Circuits / Embedded
• Electromagnetics
• Instrumentation
• Control Theory
• Signal Processing
• Rapid Prototyping

The salary range is: $109,590-$163,015. Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. Positions may also qualify for SRI's Pay for Outstanding Performance program or the annual Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to https://www.sri.com/resources/benefits/.

SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For more than 75 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.