Purpose

The Electrical Research Engineer Data Acquisition is responsible for developing and implementing data acquisition and instrumentation approaches for instrumented vehicles used in vehicle safety research examining driver behavior, advanced driver assistance systems, and driving automation systems. Support involves documenting, troubleshooting, and maintaining the data acquisition and instrumentation throughout a test or research program.

Essential Functions*

Develop and specify data acquisition approaches for capturing data to document vehicle dynamics, vehicle system operation, and driver behavior for instrumented vehicle testing and research studies

Select components appropriate for accurately capturing electrical signal, video, and acoustic data

Install, configure, and confirm proper operation of data acquisition systems and instrumentation and maintain them throughout a test program

Access vehicle network (e.g., CAN) data as needed for recording as part of vehicle testing

Confirm quality and validity of recorded data both prior to test start and after test conduct

Support testing and data collection using the developed data acquisition and instrumentation approach as needed

*TRC Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer and is willing to make a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job.

**Nothing in this job description restricts managements right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Other Duties and Responsibilities (Non-Essential Functions)

Write research papers and technical reports

Completion of customer support in a timely, error-free, and competitive manner

Make technical decisions with minimal assistance

Report research and test results in a basic format

Work in a team to reach technical project goals

Critically evaluate and correct deficiencies in technical proposals, plans, and reports

Create detailed cost estimates for tasks

Establish and maintain task schedules and budgets

Support TRC Inc.s Quality and EH&S (Environmental, Health, and Safety) efforts

Qualifications

Bachelors or masters degree in electrical engineering, instrumentation engineering, electronics engineering, or appropriate comparable discipline

Candidate must have knowledge and experience in data acquisition systems, sensors, and instrumentation for measuring vehicle motion and network communications.

Candidate must have knowledge relating to cameras used for data acquisition and configuring cameras to capture data of appropriate frame rate, resolution, and data output file size.

Candidate must have demonstrated computer programming skills and strong knowledge of vehicle networks.

Technical knowledge to solve tough substantive, work-related problems and troubleshoot electrical and data acquisition systems

Strong communication skills

Excellent computer skills including MATLAB software for creating data acquisition system schematics, word processing, and other data analysis software

Basic project management skills

Working conditions

Standard office, climate-controlled environment

May be exposed to temperatures below 0 degree and above 95 degrees

May be exposed to inclement weather

May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, such as gas, oil, and paint

Garage environment

Laboratory environment

Some passenger vehicle driving to support testing or experimental protocols

Occasional support of outdoor and nighttime testing of vehicles

Physical requirements

Must be able to remain in a stationary position for an extended period of time

Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment

Ability to communicate with customers and co-workers

Capable of positioning oneself into bending, stretching, climbing, or awkward positions