JOB SUMMARY: Brief description of what this person does, in simple direct terms.
- Produce advanced designs for camera image processing.
- Design, analyze, demonstrate, and implement image and video processing methods for camera product development.
- Perform research and development to produce new image processing solutions for existing and future products.
- Implement solutions and support design integration.
- Produce quality analysis of image processing solutions and identify and incorporate improvements.
- Develop tests to characterize methods and systems; support product development teams.
- Perform competitive analyses, assess tradeoffs and impact to market.
- Develop innovative solutions and recommend improvements to KARL STORZ products.
- Define, review and optimize IP architecture and make other high-impact design decisions.
- Mentor and lead less-experienced engineers and provide overall leadership.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: List the essential duties and responsibilities of the position, in order of importance and/or amount of time spent.
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Algorithm Development
- Research new image processing techniques and technologies for camera systems and develop algorithms and solutions for use in future and existing camera products.
- Develop image and video processing algorithms for acquisition based on CCD and CMOS sensors for 1-chip and 3-chip camera systems and for display on UHD/HD/NTSC/PAL systems.
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Analyses and Modeling
- Perform system modeling of camera pipeline components, including imagers and digital image processing modules.
- Perform signal analysis to evaluate quality of image processing algorithms and systems.
- Perform analysis and characterization of imaging sensors.
- Use video rendering to Illustrate effects of image and video processing features.
- Determine methods of communicating the analytical results with the rest of the Engineering staff.
- Determine, where appropriate, empirical methods, to validate analytical models. If necessary, update the model assumptions and/or empirical methods to correlate the results.
- Identify and incorporate improvements based on results from analysis.
- Perform data acquisition as part of the analysis process.
- Document the results of the analyses in technical reports.
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Design
- Use MATLAB/Simulink environment to produce FPGA-based modules to implement camera processing, image and video processing.
- Verify FPGA-based modules against system requirements within MATLAB/Simulink environment.
- Run proof-of-design MATLAB simulations.
- Support project engineers during integration phase.
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Standards and Interfaces
- Understand video standards (UHD, HD, NTSC, PAL)
- Familiar with image and video compression standards (JPEG, MPEG-2, H.264)
- Familiar with video interfaces (DP, DVI, HDMI, HD-SDI, 3G-SDI)
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Project Development Teams
- Provide leadership and support other IP engineers.
- Define IP design architecture and work with other disciplines to converge to best solutions for product.
- Provide objective image analysis assistance to Project teams during various design phases.
- Contribute design ideas, constraints, trade-offs, and concerns to the Project Teams
- Document the results of the analyses in technical reports.
- Participate in and/or perform the critical reviewer function during design reviews. Identify holes, concerns, and possible problems associated with the design and/or manufacturing processes relating to the image processing component in products.
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Sustaining Support
- Provide sustaining support for existing product lines. This may include analysis and resolution of field issues and/or manufacturing issues.
- Determine validation test requirements to isolate and help correct sustaining problems.
- Design, implement, test, and validate new test requirements and methods utilizing the ATE.
- Perform competitive evaluation and comparison to KARL STORZ products. Make recommendations for product improvements based on thing learned.
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General Engineering
- Provide support and technical direction for the generation and maintenance of testing and methods.
- Additional Responsibilities
- Quality – all activities associated with this position must be performed with the highest level of quality standards recognizing that the products are used in the medical industry.
- Durability – all activities associated with this position must address the long-term durability of the design.
- Efficacy – all activities associated with this position must consider the devices final application and use.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor.
- Regular attendance is an essential job function.
- Will spend part of his/her time as a member of continuous improvement teams undertaking projects and seeking ways to improve the quality of KARL STORZ products and services.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITES:List other important functions that are secondary duties but may be time consuming.
- Quality – all activities associated with this position must be performed with the highest level of quality standards recognizing that the products are used in the medical industry.
- Durability – all activities associated with this position must address the long-term durability of the design.
- Efficacy – all activities associated with this position must consider the devices final application and use.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES: What does a person in this position need to be able to do?
- Knowledge of medical device quality system regulations and standards (eg, U.S. FDA Quality System Regulation 21CFR Part 820, ISO13485, ISO9001)
- Knowledge of complete camera processing pipeline and image and video processing techniques, including image enhancement, auto exposure control, color correction, noise reduction, gamma correction, white balance, CFA demosaicing, etc.
- Knowledge of DSP techniques, including fixed-point processing, sampling theory, interpolation, filtering and filter design, linear system decomposition, etc.
- Knowledge of color science concepts, colorimetry, image sensing technology, and digital video formats.
- Experience with real-time algorithm development for video applications.
- Experience using computer simulation software (MATLAB, Simulink).
- Design and familiarity with FPGAs preferred.
- Knowledge of C, C++, CUDA, OpenCL, OpenGL, or OpenCV is a plus.
- Experience in digital system design and analysis.
- Experience with and knowledge of UHD, HD and NTSC/PAL video systems and interfaces.
- Experience with imaging sensors and knowledge of sensor analysis and processing methods.
- Able to work in cross-functional teams and lead other engineers to ensure the work is of good quality and the right decisions are made for the product.
- Very good communication skills.
- Good lab skills are a plus.
- Experience in digital system design and analysis a plus.
- Familiarity with endoscopy a plus.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: What is the usual educational background and work experience of an individual qualified to perform this job?
- Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, emphasis in Signal Processing or equivalent.
- Masters of Science or Ph.D. in Image Processing or Digital Signal Processing preferred.
- 10-12 years of experience in image processing, digital signal processing or related field.
- 7+ years of experience in image processing design or related design field
PHYSICAL & MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: What are the specific physical and mental demands of this position?
- Visual acuity sufficient for testing.
- Ability to sit for extended periods (during meetings and computer work).
- Ability to lift video equipment (approx. 20 lbs.).
- Ability to connect electrical devices.
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS: Safety, regulatory compliance, legal & job specific.
- Injury and Illness Prevention Program; annually - OSHA requirement
- ISO 9001/QSR/MDD, annually – In house requirement
- Blood borne Pathogen annually – OSHA requirement
Job Specific - In house requirement
