DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION (Issued: 15-Oct-2008)
Company Overview
MagCanica, Inc. designs, develops, and
manufactures wireless torque sensors and
rate-of-change-of-torque sensors (ROC) for high
performance applications such as automotive
racing pow¬ertrains, and turboshaft engines and
associated rotorcraft trans¬missions. MagCanica
is a product-focused technology company formed in
early 2000 with offices in San Diego, CA and
Pittsfield, MA. We are actively seeking new
members to join our engineer¬ing team as we
continue growing in 2008 and beyond. Drawing on
the high energy level and extensive technical
background of a group of talented Stanford, MIT,
Columbia and UC-Berkeley mechatronics engineers,
world-renowned inventor Ivan J. Garshelis leads
MagCanica’s tech¬nical team. With expertise in
magnetomechanics, mechatronics, sensors and
control systems, MagCanica has distinguished
itself by solving some of the most challenging
torque measurement problems facing the automotive
racing and aerospace industries. Presently,
MagCanica supplies products and provides
engineering services to various racing teams
throughout the world across all the major series
(Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR, and American Le
Mans), and to the US Navy’s Air and Sea Systems
Commands in conjunction with Rolls-Royce
Corporation and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.
Core Competencies
MagCanica’s core competencies are primarily in
the following areas of technology development and low-volume manufacturing:
• Torque, ROC, speed, and power measurement on rotating machinery
• Magnetoelastics and
characterization of magnetic properties of functional steels
• Torque sensor packaging for harsh environments
• Signal conditioning circuit design
• Mechatronics and systems
integration involving concurrent mechanical, magnetic, and electronic design
• Analysis of dynamic torque and ROC
data on automotive and rotorcraft powertrains
Job Description
The lists below describe the types of tasks a
MagCanica Design & Development Engineer would
typically be responsible for. Typical projects
involve a combination of mechanical design,
electronic circuit design, experimental testing
and analysis, managing suppli¬ers, liaising with
clients, attending dynamometer and track test¬ing
sessions, and applying the science of
magnetoelastics toward developing practical
devices. MagCanica engineers have the
op-portunity to be intimately involved in all
aspects of the engineer¬ing cycle: R&D, advanced
development, application engineering, manufacturing, and field support.
Sample Technical Tasks:
• Lead the design and development of
custom torque sensor solutions for various
automotive racing, aerospace, and com¬mercial
applications. Carry a product from initial
concept through final production and testing,
often requiring travel to Europe for track test
and race support, monitoring of system installation, and client interaction.
• Develop new signal conditioning
circuits for new sensors and systems, integrating
microcontroller based intelligence into existing
analog measurement circuits, customizing power
in¬put and/or signal output parameters for a
given application, and developing digital signal processing hardware.
• Engineer and upgrade customized
electromechanically driv¬en testing apparatus and
machines for applying mechanical loads or
magnetizing shafts. Write and upgrade software
(typically in LabView and/or Matlab) to control
these machines and analyze and evaluate torque
sensor data generated on test rigs, dynamometers, and track vehicles.
• Conduct and supervise sensor
robustness testing programs includingthermal
cycle, vibration, overload, electromagnetic
in¬terference, and magnetic compatibility.
• Develop novel sensor packaging and
transducer concepts for new applications such as
NASCAR racing, turbine engine internal shafts, and oil drilling tools.
Current and Future Applications
Formula 1 and IndyCar Racing Powertrains
Rotorcraft Powertrains
Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS)
Motor-Generator Units for Hybrid-Drive vehicles
Turboshaft engine output shafts
Electric motors
Combined Torque, Speed, & Power Sensor
In-vehicle driveshafts (half-shafts)
Helicopter tail rotor driveshafts
Combined Torque & Bending Sensor
In-vehicle clutch shafts (transmission input shafts)
Helicopter main rotor driveshafts
Oil Drilling
Rate-of-Change of Torque Sensor
Full powertrain dynos (engine, gearbox, and diff.)
Hovercraft transmission input shafts
Transmission dynos (gearbox and differential)
Full engine and mono-cylinder dynos
• Contribute to transitioning the
existing torque sensor product line from a
low-volume product to a medium-volume production
capability by developing and implementing
streamlined manufacturing, assembly, and
logistics processes as well as implementing Design for Manufacturability.
• Work with MagCanica’s R&D team to
develop new magne¬toelastic and/or mechatronic
products such as integrated torque/speed sensors,
multi-axis stress gauges, and non-destructive
evaluation (NDE) probes and scanners for oil and gas pipeline inspection.
Sample Other Tasks:
• Analyze and professionally document
laboratory test, dyno test, and track data
pertaining to the systems and/or components described above.
• Assist in upgrading company
infrastructure in the areas of information
technology, marketing, and client relations.
• Assist in drafting and presenting
technical proposals to prospective and existing clients.
• Contribute to the creation of
technical papers, articles, and patents. Attend
scientific conferences and present peer-reviewed
pa¬pers to world experts in the field.
Job Qualifications
For fulltime positions, a Master’s degree in
mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineering
is preferred but outstanding applicants having
only a Bachelor’s degree will also be seriously
considered. A concentration in sensors, control
systems, or mechatronics is recommended though
not required. In general, being comfort¬able with
both mechanical and electrical/electronics
aspects of design and development is very
important. An interest in applied physics is
often helpful. For summer internship positions,
we are seeking master’s candidates or
undergraduates with at least two years of prior
undergraduate study at the time of the internship.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel,
Powerpoint, Outlook, Project), Matlab, and 3D
solid modeling (e.g. SolidWorks, CATIA, or ProE)
software packages is expected. Experience with
circuit layout and simulation software such as
the OrCad suite would be helpful, as would be
experience operating machine tools such as a lathe and/or a milling machine.
The Type of Person We Are Looking For
We are looking for self-motivated engineers who
have the ability to learn quickly and possess
outstanding interpersonal and technical skills.
Our approach to engineering is highly
interdisciplinary and involves a unique
combination of theory and execution. This means
carrying out rigorous analysis and
experimentation, and then actually building and
testing functional hardware. MagCani¬ca engineers
contribute to and experience all aspects of the
design and development cycle across a broad range
of relevant technical disciplines, all the way
from R&D to actual installation and field
operation. We are looking for individuals who are
highly flexible and can work effectively even
with limited supervision. Successful candidates
will have the ability to interact positively and
effectively with clients and colleagues from all over the world.
Training
MagCanica provides a combination of on-the-job
and formal training. The prospective candidate
will likely be expected to carry out an
apprenticeship program (typically lasting several
months) at our Pittsfield, MA technical center in
order to be exposed first-hand to Mr. Ivan J.
Garshelis, our Chief Technical Officer, and learn
about the fundamentals of our technology.
Following such a period, he or she would be based
in the San Diego, CA area and carry out periodic
formal training in various areas of interest.
The Unique Experience We Offer
MagCanica offers the opportunity to work in a
small, dynamic, product driven company. We work
on cutting-edge technology with some of the most
demanding clients in the automotive and aerospace
industries throughout the United States and
Europe, and increasingly in Japan as well.
Frequent travel to client sites and track tests
throughout the US and to Europe can be expected.
MagCanica delivers unusually high levels of
responsibility and visibility with clients early
in one’s career, and most importantly, is a home for real engineers.
Compensation & Benefits
In addition to competitive salary compensation,
MagCanica of¬fers a yearly performance-based
bonus, yearly merit salary raise, 3 weeks of
vacation, and 10 holidays per year. Benefits
include medical, dental, workers’ compensation,
disability, and life insurance as well as a 401K
program. MagCanica works hard to allow employees
the greatest possible personal flexibility while
achieving the Company’s overall engineering and business objectives.
Contact Information
Please send your resume in PDF or DOC format to either of the following:
Email: recruiting@magcanica.com
Fax: +1 (858) 630-6005
Thank you,
Sami Bitar
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