Description

We are seeking an Electrical Systems Architect to lead the platform-level electronics architecture for Agilent’s LC/MS products (e.g., Ultivo LC/TQ, Pro iQ / Pro iQ Plus, LC/MSD iQ). This is a highly cross-functional, systems-level role responsible for defining how distributed electronics, embedded systems, and mechanical assemblies integrate into a cohesive, high-performance instrument.

You will operate as the technical authority for electronics architecture—owning system partitioning, interface standards, and long-term platform design decisions across multiple product generations. This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives at the system level, enjoys integrating across disciplines, and wants to shape the next generation of mass spectrometry platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Platform Electronics Architecture

• Own and define the end-to-end electronics architecture for LC/MS platforms, including controller/main boards, distributed modules/daughter cards, interconnects, and system interfaces.
• Define system partitioning, interface standards, and reusable design patterns spanning multiple products and generations.
• Lead architecture tradeoffs balancing performance, reliability, serviceability, cost, and schedule.
• Drive architecture documentation and clarity (e.g., interface definitions, system diagrams, design patterns, and integration guidelines).
• Collaborate with mechanical engineering to enable robust packaging and interconnect solutions, including cable-free / board-to-board connectivity where appropriate.
• Define system-level interconnect requirements (signal integrity, grounding, shielding, accessibility/service).

Cross-Functional Integration & Technical Leadership

• Act as the primary electronics architecture interface to mechanical, firmware/embedded software, physics/chemistry, and scientific stakeholders.
• Lead system-level design reviews, architecture reviews, and integration readiness assessments.
• Drive resolution of complex integration issues during system development, lab prototyping, and verification/validation.
• Coordinate and align specialized electrical sub-teams (e.g., RF/driver board engineers) toward a coherent platform architecture.

Embedded Systems, Telemetry & Diagnostics Integration

• Partner with firmware/embedded software teams to define hardware-software boundaries and enable robust system behavior (controls, instrumentation, fault handling).
• Ensure architecture supports telemetry, diagnostics, and event logging that feed into FW/ESW and enable serviceability/maintainability and field uptime.
• Define integration and test strategies from an architecture standpoint (what needs to be observable, testable, diagnosable).

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field (or equivalent practical experience).
   

Experience

• 8+ years in electronics systems architecture and/or system-level hardware design for complex electromechanical products.
• Demonstrated ownership of platform-level electronics architecture (multi-board, distributed systems, cross-functional integration).
• Experience coordinating cross-functional technical work across electronics, mechanical, and firmware/embedded software teams.
• Strong background in distributed electronics, mixed-signal systems, and PCB design.
• Experience designing complex multilayer PCBs (e.g., 8+ layers) and leading design reviews.
   

Required Technical Skills

• System-level electronics architecture: partitioning, interface definition, platform standards.
• Distributed embedded hardware and low-level interfaces (e.g., SPI, I²C, UART, etc.).
• System integration, lab bring-up, debug, and reliability troubleshooting.
• Telemetry/diagnostics mindset: designing for observability, maintainability, and serviceability.
• Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB design tools (tool-agnostic).
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with analytical instrumentation (LC/MS, mass spectrometry, chromatography) or similar high-performance scientific/industrial systems.
• Experience working alongside RF or specialized driver electronics (e.g., drivers for quadrupoles, ion guides, or analogous subsystems).
• Familiarity with FPGA/SoC architectures (e.g., Xilinx Zynq or similar) and hardware/firmware co-design (nice-to-have, not required).
• Experience with board-to-board interconnect strategies and cable-reduction approaches in compact systems.
   

Professional Attributes

• Strong systems thinking; comfortable operating across disciplines and ambiguity.
• Excellent technical communication and cross-functional influence.
• High ownership and accountability; comfortable making consequential architecture decisions.
• Strong collaborative mindset
   

Location & Travel

• This role is based at the Agilent Headquarters in Santa Clara, CA. Minimum 3 days/week onsite (hybrid).