Senior Gas Sensing Scientist / Engineer

Job Summary 

Come join NevadaNano and help create gas sensing products that protect people, property, and the planet! We are a rapidly growing, fast-paced, small business focused on developing technologies that benefit the environment and improve worker safety.  

We are seeking a highly skilled gas sensing expert with knowledge of various transduction mechanisms to take over a leadership position for a newly awarded subcontract focused on Engineering and Manufacturing Development of metal oxide gas sensing technology. The responsibility will be to work collaboratively with the NevadaNano team to fabricate and deliver MEMS-based metal oxide sensor components for integration into the final test vehicle. The position will expand into leadership positions within either the government contracts or commercial sensing system businesses within NevadaNano.  

The ideal candidate will bring in-depth knowledge of sensor materials, fabrication, and characterization techniques, coupled with strong analytical chemistry skills. This role will focus on the development, optimization, and testing of gas sensing technologies for applications in environmental monitoring and industrial safety. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Work closely with cross-functional teams (electrical, mechanical, sensor development, manufacturing, and quality) on various projects. 
• Refine existing metal oxide chemistries to assist the prime contractor is scaling up production. 
• Work with on-site team members to optimize the low-rate sensor fabrication process in Sparks to support contract deliveries. This includes metal oxide synthesis, deposition onto MEMS structures, and sensor qualification testing. 
• Support the prime contractor in their effort to characterize sensor performance.  
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including material scientists, electrical engineers, and software developers, to integrate sensors into functional systems. 
• Stay abreast of advancements in sensor technology, material science, and gas sensing applications to ensure state-of-the-art solutions. 
• Take over project leadership and support the prime contractor’s multi-year program with detailed technical consultation, and proposal efforts for subsequent phases of the prime contract.  
• Reinforce the excellent culture at NevadaNano by exhibiting our “Be’s” by being: 
  • a team player  
  • your best self  
  • a problem solver  
  • a communicator  
  • comfortable taking intelligent risks  
  • a relentlessly customer-focused employee 

Qualifications 

Required: 

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Analytical Chemistry, Experimental Physics, Material Science, or a related field. 
• 4 years of Research and Development experience developing sensors or sensing systems (applicable graduate research programs can count towards the >4 year goal) 
• Hands-on experience with sensor fabrication techniques  
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present complex data effectively. 
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

Preferred: 

• Experience with MEMS–based gas sensors, microfabrication techniques, and integration of sensors into electronic systems.  
• Extensive knowledge of metal oxide semiconductors as they pertain to gas sensing applications.  
• Knowledge of software tools for data analysis and instrument control (e.g. MATLAB, Python, etc.). 
• Project management experience within a time-bound contractual agreement framework.