Position: Embedded Systems - HMI Engineer/Principal
Reports To: Senior Technical Program Manager
Location: Remote with ability to travel to SFE facilities in the US and abroad.
Job Summary: Position is an individual contributor focused on the design and development of human-machine interfaces (HMI) and embedded display systems for new product development in welding machines, portable machine tools, and high-pressure testing applications. The qualified person shall understand product requirements and operator workflow needs, and be capable of designing, testing, and validating HMI solutions with product development team members that provide an intuitive, reliable, and consistent user experience across product lines.
The person shall be able to work in a cross-functional product development team to ensure all HMI features and functionalities - including graphical interfaces, alarm systems, data visualization, and communication with underlying machine controls - are defined, designed, documented, and validated in meeting customer/market requirements with a focus on schedule as well as meeting project budgets. The person shall have skills in embedded HMI system design as shown below:
Qualifications:
- BSEE, BSCS, or equivalent degree in Math/Sciences with extensive proficiency in HMI and embedded software engineering. MSEE / MSCS preferred
- Ten to fifteen years' experience in HMI/GUI development for embedded systems in a manufacturing or industrial equipment environment
- Strong proficiency in C/C++, Python, and modern UI frameworks (Qt/QML, LVGL, or equivalent embedded graphics libraries)
- Experience with embedded Linux, RTOS, or similar platforms as they relate to display and user interface systems
- Familiarity with touchscreen, display, and peripheral interface technologies (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet)
- Experience with digital and analog circuitry design as it pertains to HMI hardware integration (display controllers, communication interfaces, input devices)
- Familiar with working in a project-oriented environment capable of taking a project from concept to finished product as directed
- Proficient in Altium (or equivalent PCB design tools) and all Microsoft Office applications, with experience using Keil MDK (or equivalent embedded software development tools)
- Understanding of UX/UI design principles for industrial operator interfaces, including usability, accessibility, and ergonomic considerations
- Detail oriented with a focus on meeting deliverables
- Project management experience with an understanding of critical path deliverables
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Primary Responsibilities: - HMI System Development and Design
- Responsible for the development and implementation of embedded HMI software from concept to final execution, including graphical user interfaces, menu structures, alarm/notification systems, and operator workflows.
- Define and maintain HMI design standards, style guides, and interaction patterns across product lines to ensure a consistent operator experience.
- Product Management Responsibilities
- Responsible for the evolution of HMI platforms over the product life cycle by developing new software releases addressing customer feedback, usability improvements, and feature enhancements.
- Life Cycle Engineering: Evaluate and qualify replacement display hardware, controllers, and interface components due to obsolescence of original components.
- Product Development Responsibilities
- Provide HMI hardware and software design for new products, including display selection, interface architecture, and communication protocol integration.
- Work with other departments (mechanical, controls, marketing, applications engineering) in the development of new products from initial concept to finished product.
- Define and support PCB design/layouts for HMI controller boards, display interfaces, and related hardware.
- Customer Service Responsibilities
- Work with customers to resolve product field performance issues related to HMI functionality, display hardware, and operator interface behavior.
- Diagnose and resolve software issues related to screen rendering, communication with underlying control systems, and data presentation accuracy.
- Develop custom HMI solutions leveraging existing embedded platform designs with a focus on meeting specific customer requirements and application needs.
- Develop modular, scalable HMI architectures with a focus on future-state enhancements and capabilities, including multi-language support, remote monitoring/connectivity, and evolving end-user/market needs.
Secondary Responsibilities - Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management from time to time.
Physical Demands- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. The employee is also regularly required to stand, walk, crouch, bend, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally required to lift up to 100 pounds (assistance available), and regularly required to operate and maneuver heavy components with material handling devices. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. Office and travel have moderate noise levels. Machine/Product demonstrations and customer visits can have loud noise levels.
- To meet customer requirements the employee may be asked to travel in an airplane and/or vehicle to get to customer work sites. At times, this position walks on or through high elevations, underground and/or confined spaces, around high voltage and in heavy industrial and/or construction work environments such as bridges, dams, mines, power plants, shipyards, etc. The employee must be able to work in hazardous working environments with possible extreme working conditions to complete customer training and/or applications support.
- Noise levels may be extreme and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided and usage is driven by customer requirements. Other required PPE includes, but is not limited to, steel toe boots, hardhat, and safety glasses. Customer working environments can be extreme in regard to height, confined space, physical requirements and hazards.
