Writing Systems Engineer

Role details

Writing Systems Engineer Description - Writing Systems Engineer Location: Vancouver, WA or Corvallis, OR Organization: Specialty Printing & Technology Solutions (SPTS) Reports To: Engineering Manager Job Summary The Writing Systems Engineer designs and implements engineering solutions by applying intermediate-level subject matter knowledge to industrial ink delivery and print systems used in SPTS products. This role supports the design, development, characterization, validation, and lifecycle support of reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality writing systems for low to moderately complex products. The engineer bridges mechanical, electrical, firmware, fluidics, materials, manufacturing, applications, supplier, and customer-facing disciplines to ensure reliable ink delivery, print quality, and system performance. The role demonstrates technical judgment, creativity, initiative, and meticulous attention to detail; develops and implements test plans; analyzes data; communicates findings; and contributes as an informed project team member with limited project direction input. Specialty Printing & Technology Solutions (SPTS) is a business unit within HP's Imaging, Printing and Solutions (IPS) organization. Its focus is to extend HP printing technology into industrial, specialty, and OEM applications beyond traditional office and consumer printing. Responsibilities Designs portions of writing system solutions, including printheads, pens, ink delivery components, fluid delivery subsystems, interconnects, electronics, firmware interfaces, mechanical interfaces, and supporting subsystems based on established engineering principles. Defines and supports writing system architecture requirements, performance specifications, and validation criteria for industrial printing products. Develops and implements parameters, experiments, and test plans to characterize print quality, image formation, jetting reliability, ink delivery behavior, environmental robustness, image durability, ink consumption, and long-term system reliability. Creates plans for validation of form, fit, function, tolerances, reliability, thermal performance, environmental performance, safety, system power interactions, and other writing system performance requirements; publishes and communicates test results. Conducts root cause analysis for system-level, manufacturing, supplier, and customer-reported issues; implements corrective actions and remediations according to plan while maintaining thorough procedural records and data logs. Evaluates interactions among ink, printhead, firmware, electronics, mechanical systems, fluidics, and materials to support robust system integration. Collaborates and communicates with internal and outsourced development partners, including electrical, firmware, software, mechanical, materials, product engineering, manufacturing engineering, applications engineering, suppliers, and customers. Supports design reviews, risk assessments, FMEA activities, qualification testing, manufacturing readiness, production ramp, engineering change requests, alternate material authorization, supplier quotation reviews, and product lifecycle management activities. Develops automated test and data collection methodologies where appropriate and uses data analysis to develop conclusions, recommendations, reports, and presentations. Partners with application engineers and customers to understand use cases and performance requirements, troubleshoot field issues, provide technical guidance, and support continuous product improvement. Exercises technical judgment, creativity, initiative, and attention to detail consistently throughout work output. Works independently on moderate-scope problems, applying professional expertise, exercising judgment, and resolving issues by following company policies and procedures. Participates as a member of project teams and contributes to product development, knowledge sharing, and reliable, cost-effective, high-quality solutions for low to moderately complex products. Education & Experience Recommended Four-year or graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or another related technical discipline, or commensurate work experience or demonstrated competence. Typically has 2–4 years of work experience, preferably in product development, printing systems, fluidics, electromechanical systems, electrical design, electronic hardware, test development, data analysis, or a related field; or an advanced degree with little or no work experience. Essential Knowledge & Skills Experimental design, test planning, DOE, statistical analysis, and data interpretation Root cause analysis, debugging, corrective action, and issue resolution Python, MATLAB, JMP, Minitab, or similar data analysis tools Oscilloscope, measurement systems, automated test methods, and data collection methodologies New product development, manufacturing readiness, production ramp, engineering change management, quality systems, and supplier qualification Effective written and verbal communication, technical reporting, cross-functional collaboration, results orientation, learning agility, digital fluency, and customer centricity Preferred Knowledge & Skills Writing systems and industrial printing systems Thermal inkjet or other digital printing technologies Printhead, pen, and ink delivery subsystem design Fluidics, capillary systems, and ink delivery architectures Print quality characterization, image analysis, jetting performance, and reliability testing Preferred Qualifications Experience with thermal inkjet (TIJ) or industrial printing systems. Knowledge of fluidics, capillary systems, ink delivery architectures, printheads, pens, and writing system performance. Experience with print quality characterization, image analysis, jetting reliability, environmental robustness, image durability, and long-term reliability testing. Familiarity with Design of Experimen