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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Hardware Research Engineer (Optomechanical Systems) - **Company:** Rice Engineering - **Location:** Houston, TX, United States - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $63,731.0 - $80,400.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Data Analysis, Program Optimization, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Rapid Prototyping Process, System Testing, PIC Microcontroller, Information Technology - **Published:** July 19, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=d4c1baa4e6563c68 ## About the Role The ideal candidate has experience in optical microscopy, including optomechanical hardware and/or instrumentation control, and/or translational clinical studies. Experience with precision motorized translation stages, embedded electronic components such as FPGAs or microcontrollers, rapid prototyping, or hardware cost-reduction strategies is highly desirable., * Bachelor's degree in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related field * Two or more (2+) years of related experience * Additional related education, above and beyond the required degree, may substitute for the experience requirement on an equivalent year-for-year basis. Skills * Listening, verbal and written communication, analytical, and research skills * Good scientific and numerical skills with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy * Ability to work in a team environment, participate actively, collaborate, and motivate others in the lab * Critical thinking, technical, and data collection skills * Statistical and graphical analysis skills * Ability to maintain quality, safety, and infection control standards in accordance with approved clinical research protocols * Ability to plan and schedule effectively * Ability to interact appropriately with clinical personnel and study subjects Preferences * Master's degree * Three or more years of experience with optical microscopy, optomechanical hardware, instrumentation control, and/or translational clinical studies * Experience with rapid prototyping or hardware cost-reduction strategies ## Description The Kortum Lab in Rice University's Department of Bioengineering seeks a Hardware Research Engineer (Optomechanical Systems) to support translational clinical research involving optical microscopy for evaluation of margin status during cancer surgery. The position will contribute to next-generation optomechanical design and development of array microscopes and sample preparation systems, with an emphasis on system optimization, clinical validation, cost-efficient components, imaging performance, and preparation for eventual commercialization., * Participates in the planning, design, and execution of research projects under the guidance of senior researchers or project leads * Conducts experiments, collects and analyzes data, and assists in interpreting results * Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and contributes ideas and insights to ongoing research * Maintains accurate records of experiments, results, and methodologies * Contributes to reports, technical documents, and presentations describing research findings * Stays current on relevant industry trends, advances, and emerging technologies * Adheres to safety protocols and regulatory standards during experiments and research activities * Participates in specialized research and development of array microscope technologies * Develops hardware for array microscopes and sample preparation systems supporting clinical studies, with attention to cost-efficiency and clinical reliability * Prepares instrumentation for clinical studies * Participates in data analysis, system evaluation, and optomechanical hardware optimization * Communicates results through verbal presentations and written reports * Interacts appropriately with clinical personnel and study subjects * Performs all other duties as assigned. ## Related Videos - [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail) - [How To Test A Ball of Mud](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/173-how-to-test-a-ball-of-mud) - [Strange New Worlds: shaping the future of the digital age](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/677-strange-new-worlds-shaping-the-future-of-the-digital-age) - [Data Science on Software Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/162-data-science-on-software-data) - [More efficient software for more efficient microchips](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1164-more-efficient-software-for-more-efficient-microchips) - [How I Built QA from Scratch in a Scaling Startup - no fluff real life story](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2041-how-i-built-qa-from-scratch-in-a-scaling-startup-no-fluff-real-life-story) ## Related Articles - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [Résumé-Driven Development: How IT trends affect the job market for software developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/59-resume-driven-development-how-it-trends-affect-the-job-market-for-software-developers) - [Top 6 Hackathons for Developers in 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/263-top-6-hackathons-for-developers-in-2023) - [Software Engineer Salary London](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/252-software-engineer-salary-london) - [Best Companies in the Netherlands: Top 25 Companies in 2023 ](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/193-best-companies-in-the-netherlands-top-25-companies-in-2023) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs)