Iridescent Sensors Inc. is commercializing the handheld “optoelectronic nose” with applications in toxic gas detection, air quality control, and food and beverage quality control. This is a new class of chemical sensing: essentially a digital, multidimensional extension of litmus paper. We make inexpensive, disposable colorimetric sensor arrays that are read by our handheld optical analyzer using machine learning algorithms to identify gases and odors from a pre-determined pattern library of analytes.

Our beachhead mission is to protect first responders and save lives from chemical spills and industrial fires by rapidly detecting toxic chemicals. We are a newly formed start-up company located in the UIUC Research Park in Champaign, IL. We are well funded by a Phase 2 three-year contract from the NSF Convergence Accelerator program. Iridescent Sensors is establishing a deep technical organization with leadership that combines expertise in the development, scale-up, and commercialization of colorimetric sensor array technologies, business development, and sales.

About the Role

We are looking for a motivated, proactive, and detail-oriented Electronics Mechatronic Engineer to join our team. You will be a key participant in bringing our handheld gas detector from prototype to functional commercial product. In this role, you will work closely with our scientists and engineers to design, build, integrate, and iterate the hardware and software that makes our device work in the real world in the hands of first responders.

The position will evolve as the company itself evolves. This role requires a combination of skills in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and embedded programming. The ideal candidate is comfortable designing a PCB, writing microcontroller firmware, and developing user-interface software.

This role involves significant collaboration with external electronics manufacturing partners and incorporation of feedback from first responder stakeholders into product decisions. A successful candidate should understand that success requires not only technical expertise, but also empathy, communication, and a service mindset.

Responsibilities

• Hardware development projects, including design, fabrication, evaluation, and iterative improvements of PCB layouts for a compact handheld device.

• Embedded systems to control electromechanical subsystems and components, including micro pumps, keypads, displays, LED indicators, haptic feedback actuators, and sensors.

• Onboard software for database storage, sensor data acquisition, and data analytics to identify analytes and deliver actionable notifications to the end user.

• Design and implement an intuitive user interface for field use by first responders.

• Collaborate with external electronics and engineering manufacturing partners to translate designs into manufacturable assemblies.

• Engage with first responder stakeholders in customer discovery and field evaluation, translating feedback into iterative product improvements.

• Establish and maintain engineering documentation, testing protocols, and quality control practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or closely related field; Master’s preferred. 3–7+ years of relevant electromechanical engineering experience.

• Hands-on microcontroller programming and embedded firmware development.

• Electromechanical systems integration skills preferred, including hardware, firmware and software.

• PCB design and layout experience.

• Able to work independently and collaboratively with internal teams and external partners.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Strong project management and self-organization skills.

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. (US citizens and permanent residents strongly preferred).

Preffered Qualifications

• Proficiency with 3D CAD software, including engineering drawings and 3D printing for prototyping.

• Background in data analytics, machine learning, or database systems relevant to sensor data.

• Experience with wireless communication protocols (e.g., ATAK or CivTAK).

• Experience with regulatory compliance (e.g., ATEX/IECEx, UL listing, etc.) and navigating certification processes.

Submit resume to Ken Suslick, CEO, at ksuslick@iridescentsensors.com