Job Description

Company Description: Specular Theory is an award-winning immersive content and technology startup based in Venice Beach, CA.  We create a wide variety of VR experiences ranging in entertainment, education, enterprise, and gaming.  Our company creatively drives all productions from beginning to end with a unique company culture of experimenting, breaking new ground, and winning awards.  You will be working with our Aerospace VR training division to develop next-gen software and hardware that adds functionality to custom flight controls.  You will combine state of the art virtual and mixed reality environments with motion control systems to replicate real flight.  

Job Description Summary:  Specular Theory has several new products in development, so we are expanding our hardware team that designs, manufactures, and assembles flight simulators.  We are looking for an innovative electronics engineer to design electric circuits and PCBs, and to develop software and firmware that add functionality to custom flight controls and communicate with motion control systems that replicate what the operators feel.  You will be involved in the entire product development lifecycle, from initial concept design through full-rate production.  

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Design the entire electrical layout of the flight simulator, including PCBs, switches and buttons, motor and actuator controls, electronics boxes, power supplies, and wire routing. 
• Design electronics into mechanical assemblies that physically and functionally replicate critical aircraft flight controls like the yoke, throttle, and rudder pedals. 
• Design quick-disconnect mechanisms with electrical contacts for switching yoke assemblies.   
• Design electronics for motion control systems consisting of motors, actuators, and gear trains that replicate the motion and feel of the flight controls in the aircraft.   
• Design safety systems including e-stops, LED warning lights, and electromechanical endstops. 
• Design custom PCBs including daughterboard/motherboard assemblies.  
• Create PCB schematics and lay out the traces and solder pads, specify the individual board components, select connectors and headers, and design mounting features to attach the board. 
• Work with software engineers to integrate custom software into the simulator hardware. 
• Develop firmware and flash it to the flight controls, electronics box, and motors. 
• Develop software to perform simple functions in the simulator, e.g. initialize motors and actuators, check home and endstop positions, present electronics as an HID gamepad.   
• Work with mechanical engineers to mount all the electronics and route wires through the frame. 
• Label everything and create wiring diagrams for the entire assembly.   
• Select electrical COTS parts (e.g. button, switch, joystick, connector, LED) and specify the power supplies required to operate the required motors, actuators, and PC and VR equipment. 
• Perform power calculations to ensure safety for systems carrying up to 300 W.   
• Identify the VR equipment and specify the computer requirements necessary to run it.   
• Design prototypes and perform verification testing to evaluate initial concept designs.   
• Work with the customer and internal stakeholders to collect design requirements and ensure the final product meets all the customer deliverables.    
• Perform quality assurance checks, validation testing, and ATP tests on the finished simulator.   
• Perform root cause investigations on any failures and document the corrective actions.  
• Prepare written documents, assembly instructions, startup manuals, and test procedures. 
• After the product is delivered, provide customer support and help with trouble-shooting.   

Required Qualifications 

• Proficient at electronics circuit design. 
• Proficient with PCB design software.  Experience with Altium Designer or KiCad is a plus. 
• Proficient with Arduinio hardware and software.  Experience with PlatformIO is a plus. 
• Proficient with C/C++.   
• Proficient at developing basic software and firmware code.   
• Strong knowledge of electrical engineering principles and analysis tools, including power and thermodynamics calculations.   
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate in cross-functional teams. 
• Being comfortable in a rapid start-up environment that may involve multiple projects and have shifting priorities.   
• Being flexible and willing to occasionally work on small tasks outside this basic job description. 
• Being detail-oriented with strong oral and written communication skills.   

Preferred Skills  

• Experience with machine design and motor/actuator-driven motion control systems. 
• Experience with motion control software and feedback loops. 
• Experience designing a variety of different electronic sub-assemblies and systems.   
• Experience using Git for version control on software code and PCB designs.  
• Familiar with basic mechanical components and assembly techniques.  
• Familiar with DFM/DFA principles to transition designs from prototype into production. 
• Basic understanding of 3D CAD modeling and 2D drawings. 
• Basic understanding of aviation principles and flight control functions in an aircraft.    

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronics, Electrical, or Software Engineering or a related field. 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in electronics design and product development.   
• To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a US citizen or a national, US lawful, permanent resident.   

Featured Benefits:  

• Medical and dental insurance 
• 401(k) program with a company match 
• Paid time off and sick days 
• Paid holidays 
• Competitive wages 

Specular Theory is an equal opportunity employer.  The organization considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.