Title Electrical Engineering Manager
Department Engineering - Development
Location Niwot/Hybrid
Reports To Director of Engineering
About Us
Established in 1972, Particle Measuring Systems is a global leader for micro-contamination monitoring equipment improving the performance of clean manufactures in the semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries. We're a growing technology company in Niwot, Colorado, the heart of the Rocky Mountains. We offer an exceptional and rewarding work environment in a great place to live. Our employees enjoy challenging projects in the development and manufacture of light scattering particle counters and diverse technologies and applications.
The Role
Due to our continued growth and investment in R&D, we have an opening for a talented Electrical Engineering Manager. You will lead a team of highly skilled electrical engineers and designers on complex designs from the research/conceptual phase through successful product launch. Our instruments detect and count single particles at nanometer scales, so the electrical designs you oversee sit at the heart of precision measurement: laser drive and control electronics, high-sensitivity photodetection, and low-noise signal chains, integrated into electromechanical systems controlled by embedded software.
You will lead the planning, development, prototyping, and documentation of electrical designs within the product development environment. The position requires coordination and collaboration with other functional managers, project managers, and business leaders within a matrix stage-gate product development environment. You will be responsible for consistent project planning, development plans, DFMEA and risk analysis, and design rigor across all commercialization projects, in accordance with our ISO Quality Management System, and you will contribute to the definition of technical roadmaps and the identification of new product and business opportunities. Key accountabilities also include establishing and maintaining the technical competencies of the electrical engineering team through mentoring, training, evaluation, and recruitment.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide technical and performance leadership of the electrical design team. Own the prioritization, specification, design, development, and implementation of electrical architectures and solutions for contamination monitoring instruments comprising electromechanical systems controlled by embedded software.
- Recruit, onboard, coach, and mentor the team. Employ performance management with candid and timely feedback, set annual goals, conduct appraisals, and ensure every team member has an individual development plan supporting personal growth and succession planning.
- Define core competencies and functional strategy in support of the overall business strategy, including the photonics and high-sensitivity detection skills the product roadmap requires. Plan skill evolution and succession to meet strategic needs.
- Drive maximum reuse of development work and consistent technical and architectural direction across projects and the common platform.
- Define functional headcount requirements and assign staff to projects. Define and oversee outsourcing and resource-sharing arrangements to meet business needs.
- Own the electrical development processes, standards, and tools. Evaluate and recommend design standards, tools, and technologies; establish and maintain a unified electrical design standard for the company; and continually improve processes using metrics, lessons learned, and industry best practices to shorten development cycles and raise quality.
- Ensure DFMEA, risk analysis, and design rigor on all commercialization projects in accordance with the ISO Quality Management System, and review the quality of all technical deliverables in the functional area.
- Work with project managers and product line managers to create and maintain integrated program schedules, escalating risks early and balancing cost, schedule, and performance.
- Act as the technical expert for the electrical engineering function, advising and coaching engineers to resolve technical and operational problems throughout the product lifecycle.
- Champion modern engineering practices across the team: agile/scrum execution within the stage-gate framework, tiered daily management, structured lean problem solving, and adoption of AI-assisted engineering tools.
- Foster teamwork, collaboration, openness, and trust across the electrical function and project teams. Instill a sense of urgency when key deliverables are at risk, and empower the team to problem-solve obstacles on assigned tasks.
- Maintain a customer focus and participate in Voice of Customer activities throughout the product lifecycle.
Required Qualifications
- A Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent, with a strong technical foundation in electrical design for electromechanical systems controlled by embedded software.
- Minimum 10 years of experience developing complex electrical and electromechanical designs supporting research and new product development.
- Minimum 5 years of functional management or lead experience.
- Working knowledge of schematic capture and PCB layout CAD tools (e.g., Siemens Xpedition/PADS, Altium) and SPICE-based circuit simulation and modeling. Well versed in configuration management and release processes for hardware design.
- Demonstrated experience with laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, multimeters, and spectrum analyzers.
- Familiarity with ISO, CE, ETL, IEC 61010, EMC, and other international requirements and standards.
- Project management experience in a technology environment, including risk mitigation and balancing cost, schedule, and performance constraints.
- Successful product lifecycle experience with working knowledge of stage/phase-gate and Agile product development processes.
- Systematic approach to problem solving combined with strong analytical and negotiation skills.
- Self-starter capable of working with minimal supervision and providing expertise and leadership across multiple projects.
- Good oral and written communication skills, especially technical writing.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with photonics and high-sensitivity detection: laser-based optical systems, photodetectors (e.g., APDs, PMTs, photodiodes), low-noise analog circuit design, and signal conditioning for ADCs and DACs.
- MS in Electrical Engineering.
- Experience with particle counting, analytical instrumentation, or other precision measurement products.
- PMP certification.
- Six Sigma or DFSS experience, and knowledge of failure analysis methodologies such as fishbone, cause/effect, and 5-Whys.
- Lean or continuous improvement experience in a product development organization.
- Experience leading multi-site or distributed teams and third-party development partners.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- This role primarily operates in an office/lab/manufacturing environment. Must be able to sit, stand, and use a computer for extended periods of time
- Occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs. may be required
- Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary range: $120000 - 177000 depending on experience
o Our compensation philosophy: we offer competitive pay based on market data, including local, national, and industry benchmarks. For new hires, offers are generally within the established min- to mid-point of the range for the role, with flexibility to recognize experience, skills, and education. Our approach ensures fair pay internally while remaining competitive externally and allows room for growth.
- Comprehensive benefits package:
o Health coverage: medical, dental, vision, fsa, onsite clinic (CO employees), life insurance
o 401(k) retirement plan with company match
o Vacation, holiday, and leave policies
o Tuition reimbursement, Employee recognition programs, Employee assistance programs
Particle Measuring Systems is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to building an inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone can thrive.
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