Careers

Nion is a world-leading developer of advanced scanning transmission electron microscopes and other electron-optical instruments. Our instruments can image and analyze single atoms, and they help to expand the envelope of human knowledge in many different fields. We have reached our leading position because insight, innovation, skill, determination, and friendly cooperation come together at Nion, and create world-class opportunities and advances.

If you are a motivated individual who enjoys exercising your skills in an energetic and stimulating environment, we want to know more about you.

Nion is an equal-opportunity employer that offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a sharp focus on science with minimal bureaucracy. Benefits include a retirement plan, subsidized health and dental insurance, and generous PTO (10 holidays plus 15 personal days per year).

Up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for all Nion employees.

We offer:

  • Stimulating and informal work environment in which good science comes first.
  • Opportunity to collaborate with some of the world's top electron microscopy experts.
  • Opportunities to grow.
  • Opportunity to put your experience and ideas to good use and to challenge yourself.
  • Great living environment, with mountains and sea at our doorstep, and a rich cultural life.
  • Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Open Positions

Apply by emailing your résumé and a cover letter to . All applications will be kept strictly confidential.

Scientist
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Nion is looking for a microscope bring-up specialist, who will be based at our headquarters in Kirkland near Seattle, and contribute to our ongoing goal of delivering the best electron microscopes in the world.

Nion thrives on new developments, and there are a wide variety of projects happening at Nion at any given time. These typically include new developments in the technology, implementation of the developments at customer sites, and documentation and training users in the latest and best practices. The successful candidate will contribute to and expand these efforts.

This position will be a good fit if you:

  • Have experience operating, troubleshooting, and/or designing complex scientific apparatus.
  • Enjoy getting the most out of an instrument.
  • Are able to handle multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment.
  • Are good at identifying possible improvements in the instruments you use, discussing them with others, and working with a design team to make them happen.
  • Naturally strive for efficiency and complete projects fully and with no leftover loose ends.
  • Enjoy traveling, meeting new people, training others, and learning from the experience yourself.
  • Are able to quickly pick up new proficiencies on as-needed basis, such as a new simulation package.

Salary: $90 000 – $150 000 per year.

Requirements:

  • Recent Ph.D. in physics, materials science, or related discipline.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Willingness to travel (<25% time, after the pandemic is fully overcome).
  • Electron microscope operating experience is a plus.

Electronics Design Engineer - Mixed Signal Precision Electronics
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As an Electronics Design Engineer, you will play a critical role in developing cutting-edge electronic systems with a focus on mixed signal and precision electronics. You will be responsible for designing, prototyping, and testing complex circuitry and PCB layouts, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. The successful candidate will collaborate with researchers to translate customer requirements into robust designs.

Salary: $90 000 – $120 000 per year.

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Design and develop mixed signal (analog and digital) precision electronic systems, including component selection and possibly also PCB layout.
  • Collaborate with hardware and software engineers to integrate electronic designs into larger systems.
  • Conduct rigorous testing and verification of prototypes to ensure that design specifications and performance goals have been met.
  • Generate comprehensive documentation
  • Collaborate with manufacturing and production teams to ensure smooth transition from prototype to mass production.
  • Stay updated with the latest advancements in mixed signal and precision electronics, and apply that knowledge to improve designs.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or a related field.
  • In-depth knowledge of analog and digital circuit design, including ADCs, DACs, op-amps, filters, and signal integrity.
  • Experience with high-speed digital interfaces (e.g., LVDS).
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to debug complex electronic systems.

Electronics Technician
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Nion is looking for an electronics technician to do board level debugging of PCBs. Nion electronics span a wide range from high speed digital cameras and scanning systems to ultra stable precision current supplies to 200kV high voltage supplies with tens of millivolt stability. The successful candidate will be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously, making sure that things come together in a timely manner. Help out others as needed. Responsibilities will shift and grow based on ability and interests. Light travel to Asia and Europe is a possibility but not a requirement.

Salary: $65 000 – $100 000 per year.

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Test and fix new boards and electronics assemblies for proper function.
  • Help with component sourcing for purchasing.
  • Assist in building and repairing microscope electronics.
  • Keep track of key inventory.

Requirements:

  • 2 year Associates degree in electronic engineering or similar.
  • Ability to read schematics.
  • Basic understanding of analog and digital circuits.
  • Ability to solder at a basic level, if needed further training will be provided.
  • Familiarity with computers, oscilloscopes, multimeters and other everyday equipment.
  • Ability to work with assembly instructions as well as update them as needed, and cheerfully help and support co-workers.

Electrical Engineer - Microscope Production
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Nion is seeking an Electrical Engineer to support the production of our microscopes and ensure that our products continue to exceed our customers' expectations.

The Electrical Engineer will be responsible for the bring-up and troubleshooting of electronics in support of the production of Nion's world-class microscopes. This includes working closely with the design team to ensure that products are designed for manufacturability, as well as working with the production team to ensure that products are manufactured to meet quality and performance standards. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Salary: $65 000 – $100 000 per year.

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Collaborate with the designers and the production team to ensure that products are designed for manufacturability and testability.
  • Design and develop test fixtures and procedures for the production of electronic assemblies.
  • Troubleshoot and debug electronic assemblies during production.
  • Create and maintain production documentation, including test procedures and work instructions.
  • Provide technical support to the production team as needed.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
  • For recent graduates, 3.5 GPA or higher in EE courses.
  • Strong knowledge of analog and digital electronics.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Electronics Assembler
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Nion is seeking electronics assemblers of all skill levels. As an electronics assembler you will assemble electronics and cables for electron sources operating at up to 200 kV. Attention to detail, strict adherence to established protocols, eagerness to improve the quality of the manufacturing process, and good communication skills are essential. Training will be provided, but prior electronics assembly experience is a plus.

Salary: $45 000 – $80 000 per year.

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Assemble rack-mounted electronics.
  • Assemble cables and cable harnesses.
  • Assemble and rework PCBs with SMD components.
  • Assist production engineers with installation, repair, and testing.
  • Create documentation for new assembly procedures.
  • Maintain good house-keeping of one's work area.

Requirements:

  • 2-year technical degree in a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Soldering skills.
  • Ability to read, understand and follow detailed engineering drawings and process specifications.
  • Ability to work independently and ask for guidance when appropriate.
  • Ability to work well with others.
  • Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs.
  • Ability to commute or relocate.
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States.

What makes you stand out:

  • Professional experience with electronics assembly to IPC/IEC/ISO standards.
  • Knowledge of basic electrical circuit theory.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude.

Education and Marketing Director
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Nion is looking for a Marketing and Education Director, who will be based at our headquarters in Kirkland near Seattle, lead Nion's marketing activities, and organize Nion's educational program.

We are a world-leading developer and maker of advanced electron microscopes and spectrometers, with a sharp focus on the science behind our instruments. We publish our advances in scientific journals, advertise them, exhibit at major microscopy conferences, and organize microscopy workshops and schools. The successful candidate will broaden and deepen these efforts.

Another aspect of the position will be to interact with Nion's potential customers, conducting research on their samples using Nion's instruments, and teaching the customers how to get better results themselves. In the past, these collaboration have led to high-impact publications in Science, Nature and similar journals — a tradition we are proud of and intend to uphold.

This position will be a good fit if you:

  • Enjoy operating electron microscopes, and the challenge that examining each new sample brings.
  • Enjoy communicating with people and helping them improve their microscopy skills.
  • Will enjoy organizing microscopy workshops and schools – preparing the program in consultation with others at Nion, inviting and coordinating with the instructors, many of whom come from outside Nion, and making sure there are no leftover loose ends.
  • Are good at identifying possible improvements in the instruments you use, discussing them with others, and working with a design team to make them happen.
  • Like putting together product descriptions and improving web sites.
  • Have an eye for detail, and an artistic talent leading to visually attractive marketing and teaching materials.

Salary: $90 000 – $180 000 per year.

Requirements:

  • Must have practical experience in using electron microscopes, in one or more of the areas of major interest to Nion:
    • aberration-corrected high spatial resolution STEM,
    • 4D STEM/ptychography,
    • microanalysis (using EDXS and EELS),
    • ultra-high energy resolution EELS, and
    • stable operation at low and high temperatures, and operando experiments.
  • Recent Ph.D. in one of the above topics.
  • Good writing skills and an excellent publication record.
  • Willingness to travel up to 25% of your work time.

Mechanical Assembler
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Nion is looking for a mechanical assembler with strong communication skills to help us build the best electron microscopes in the world. A major part of the responsibilities will include assembling precision mechanical assemblies for electron sources operating at up to 200 kV. Communication skills are highly prized, and will help you succeed in coordinating with team members on various tasks, as are attention to detail, organizational skills, and adherence to established protocols.

Salary: $60 000 – $90 000 per year.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Inspect quality of incoming parts.
  • Assemble mechanical and electrical parts and sub-assemblies.
  • Occasionally perform light machine shop duties such as operating drills, sanders, and material cutting equipment.
  • Maintain good house-keeping and organization of work area.

Requirements:

  • AA degree or higher required, training will be provided. Assembly experience is a plus.
  • Being able to read, understand, and follow detailed engineering drawings and process specifications is a strong plus.
  • High degree of hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity.
  • Good organizational skills.
  • Ability to work independently and ask for guidance when appropriate.
  • Must be reliable and commit to a consistent schedule.
  • Ability to receive feedback and take action when appropriate.
  • Ability to work well with others.
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States.