Image Processing Engineer V

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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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)
• 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.
• 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.
• 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