Software Development Engineer

About this job

Job description

Job Summary:

Support multiple development projects with electronic/electrical designs, provide engineering assistance related to new product development with special emphasis on electronic controls, writing software for embedded controllers/firmware development, circuit board design, electrical components, software management, and appliance wiring.  Assure design compliance to required agency regulations thru design and testing.

Essential Functions:

1. Writes software for embedded controllers, leveraging modular code techniques for rapid adaptation to multiple Duke control platform models.  Software languages:  C, C++, Visual Basic, possibly others.
2. Participates in and is responsible for multiple/concurrent product development projects supporting electrical and electronic systems tasks. 
3. Responsible for creation of and adherence to project budgets and schedules.
4. Evaluates designs for reliability and performance.  Creates detailed test plans, requests, and reports.
5. Makes recommendations for design and manufacturing improvements.
6. Applies electrical theory and related knowledge to develop and troubleshoot components and systems including:  electromechanical controls, electronic controls, embedded systems controls, wire harnesses, electrical connections, electrical schematics, test fixtures, plus other electromechanical/electronic systems (i.e. motors, solenoids, valves)
7. Assists in developing product literature, including FDA, NSF, CE and UL required disclosure statements.
8. Ensures specification compliance with regulatory bodies/agency standards, such as the CE, FDA, NSF and UL.
9. Provides technical support for the sales team, technical service team, purchasing, and production teams.
10. Supports the controls design group (and larger development teams as appropriate) during the all phases of product development.   Sets up and performs validation testing and life testing plus documents results in test reports with recommendations for improvements.
11. Monitors progress of assigned development projects and tasks, identifies gaps, implements solutions, tracks product and project costs, creates BOMs for new products, assembles cost estimates for new products/services.  Prepares engineering documentation.
12. Works with design groups to modify plans as appropriate if problems arise.
13. Prepares regular reports, detailing progress and costs for management.
14. Reviews and studies existing technologies, designs, equipment, facilities, systems, and processes to improve efficiency, increase quality, and reduce costs.
15. Works with operations department in troubleshooting problems.
16. Cooperates with project engineers from other plants to share similar problems and solutions.
17. Typically works a minimum of a 40-hour workweek.
18. Designs, coordinates parts procurement, and assembles:  prototype circuit boards, wire harnesses, test fixtures, and prototype appliances.
19. Defines and coordinates work with contract developers for control hardware, software, and design support.

     20. Creates detailed test plans for new and modified products.  Performs testing, documents results, and prepares  

            recommendations.

     21. Creates and modifies drawings using CAD and/or other software packages (i.e. MS Visio)

     22. Researches and solves design and manufacturing issues.  Diagnoses root cause for electronic/electrical/mechanical

            malfunction and performs preventative and/or corrective actions.

     23. Builds prototypes of new products.

     24. Reviews designs for compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and implements changes as needed.

     25. Provides assistance in obtaining agency product approval and listing (UL and NSF).

     26. Tests products to a variety of standards, such as safety, sanitation, performance, radiation emissions and sound.

The above list of essential duties is not exhaustive. It only defines some of the main responsibilities. An employee may be required to perform additional tasks not listed above.

Desired Skills and Experience

Job Qualifications:

1. Experience: 7-10+ years experience as a design engineer or similar position in a controls equipment development environment and/or foodservice appliance development/manufacturing environment.
2. Software development: 5+ years writing/compiling/debugging/validation testing software for embedded controller applications.
3. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or equivalent.
4. Skills: 
   1. Ability to administer company wide policies and programs;
   2. Ability to adhere to and plan a project budget;
   3. Ability to create controls development strategies, help establish the company goals and vision, create detailed Gantt charts and project documentation
   4. Ability to manage software development projects, create architecture for electronic hardware designs, participate in software code development/maintenance
   5. Ability to organize and successfully complete work on multiple concurrent projects
   6. Ability to tolerate interruptions and changes to initial plans in a very controlled/professional manner
   7. Ability to adhere to a strict timeline;
   8. Ability to demonstrate “can-do” attitude at all times;
   9. Ability to prepare written communications skills concisely and coherently;
   10. Ability to check others’ work for accuracy;
   11. Ability to analyze numerical data utilizing statistical analysis capabilities;
   12. Ability to develop a climate of enthusiasm, teamwork and cooperation among employees;
   13. Ability to strictly enforce company policy;
   14. Ability to interact with customers effectively and build rapport;
   15. Ability to give presentations in front of customers and/or a large group;
   16. Ability to be punctual and manage time effectively;
   17. Ability to pay close attention to detail.
       1. Ability to prioritize and delegate work;
       2. Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
       3. Self-starter.  Ability to organize work, prioritize, and follow-thru for successful results.
       4. Solid working knowledge of:  Electronic controls using various input/outputs (i.e. RTD temperature sensors, current sensors, relay logic, SSR logic, switching technologies, millivolt sensors), C software programming language, PCB hardware layout and circuit design, electrical wiring theory, low voltage (DC and AC), high voltage (less than 480 VAC), single-phase and multi-phase circuitry, diagnostic tools and test instrumentation (oscilloscope, digital VOM, current probe, highpot meter), data acquisition systems, regulatory requirements for related product types (i.e. UL, ETL, CSA, CE, others), electrical appliances and gas-fired appliances.
       5. Competence in electrical/electronic component soldering skills.

10. Troubleshooting skills (component level and systems level)

Tools Used to Perform Essential Functions:

1. Equipment:  Personal computer, telephone, fax, copier, electrical test equipment, soldering equipment, data acquisition system, various hand tools and power tools.
2. Software:  Email, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Dataworks and Epicor ERP,  MS Project, MS Powerpoint, MS Visio, C software compilers, PCB layout software (non mandatory)

About this company

Duke Manufacturing Co. designs and manufactures more than 4,500 foodservice equipment products for a wide-range of clients located across the U.S. and around the world.

From our humble beginnings in 1925 as a manufacturer of the first waterless hot food well, Duke has become the preferred solutions provider for fast-paced, demanding businesses like global QSR brands, C-stores, casual dining chains and institutions such as K-12 school districts.

We design and build our products at state-of-the-art manufacturing plants in St. Louis and Sedalia, Missouri, incorporating Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing and 5S programs, that along with our ISO 9001:2000 certification, help ensure that the highest levels of quality are reflected in our products and services.

In addition, we serve markets worldwide through 6 global sales offices and distribution centers, as well as maintain a factory-authorized service network consisting of 200 locations that support the US, Canada and 85 International service/support centers.