R&D Engineer in Durham

Position Summary: The R&D Engineer owns a wide range of hands-on hardware responsibilities — from sensor characterization and calibration, system validation to supplier quality and supporting new product development. This role works across multiple product lines, collaborating closely with firmware, production, and customer-facing teams, and helps build the processes that allow Sennos to scale confidently. This is a high-ownership, high-variety role. On any given week you might be characterizing a new sensor module, prepping documentation for a supplier audit, running a fermentation test, or validating a new hardware assembly. If you like breadth, real hardware, and work that directly impacts a shipped product, this is a strong fit. This role is hands on and is required to be on-site in our Durham headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Hardware Testing & Validation: Design and execute the full spectrum of hardware tests — functional, performance, limit, edge case, and longevity — across sensing products and assemblies. Conduct pressure testing up to 40+ psi, thermal stress and temperature sweep testing, fluid integrity validation, water ingress testing, and gasket lifecycle evaluation. Define acceptance criteria and build repeatable test protocols the team can rely on.
• Sensor Calibration & Characterization: Own calibration procedures and characterization work for the full sensor suite — density, temperature, pH, EC (conductivity), dissolved oxygen, and pressure. Execute temperature sweep characterizations, multi-point calibrations, re-characterization of fielded sensors, and validation of calibration standards using reference equipment (Hach, YSI, Fluke, and similar).
• Hardware Assembly & Lab Work: Build and kit hardware assemblies — sensor modules, board stacks, tank mounts, and probe housings — across multiple product lines. Perform soldering, connector rework, module integration, and mechanical assembly. Work with test fixtures and build rigs for characterization work.
• New Product Development Support: Contribute to the development and validation of new hardware as the product line expands — including new tank mount variants, multi-metric sensor modules, and expanded sensing capabilities such as vision and turbidity. Run early validation tests, document failure modes, and help translate prototype learnings into production-ready processes.
• Documentation, SOPs & Production Support: Write and maintain build SOPs, triage procedures, calibration documentation, and assembly instructions. Work within the ERP system (MRPeasy) for inventory, PO receipts, and shipping manifests. Contribute to Confluence knowledge base and support production runs by coordinating kitting and creating Jira tickets.
• Research & Innovation: Contribute to exploratory work — evaluating new sensing modalities (e.g., ultrasound-based alcohol differentiation), investigating novel calibration approaches, assessing sensor longevity under field conditions. Surface new market requirements that inform the product roadmap.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related technical field (or equivalent years of professional experience).
• Experience: 3–5 years of experience in hardware R&D, product testing, or a closely related engineering role. Hands-on experience with sensor calibration and characterization (electrochemical, optical, or physical measurement). Experience with electronics assembly and lab techniques: soldering, connector rework, mechanical assembly, fluid handling. Experience writing clear technical documentation — SOPs, test procedures, assembly instructions, and failure reports.
• Skills: Solid understanding of hardware testing methodologies — functional, performance, limit, and lifecycle testing. Familiarity with calibration standards and reference instrumentation (pH meters, DO probes, conductivity standards, pressure sensors). Comfort working within ERP and project management systems (MRPeasy, Jira, Confluence, or similar). Strong attention to detail and methodical approach to diagnosing hardware issues. Experience with embedded systems and firmware – operation, debugging, daily usage. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-moving environment. Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the brewing, food & beverage, or fermentation industry.
• Background in supplier quality, ISO processes, or audit preparation (SGS, UL, etc.).
• Exposure to firmware/embedded systems in a cross-functional context.
• Experience with pressure testing, fluid system validation, or gasket/seal testing.
• Software development skills – c/c++, python, scripting.
• Familiarity with dissolved oxygen measurement or multi-parameter water quality instrumentation.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Ability to stand and sit for extended periods while working in a lab environment.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally for equipment and sample handling.
• Manual dexterity required for soldering, assembly work, and calibration procedures.
• Lab/production environment with exposure to various fluids and testing equipment.
• May require occasional overtime to support production schedules or testing timelines.