Sr. Electromagnetics Design Engineer - Apex, NC, United States

Originally posted 9 October 2026 by the employer.

Design high-performance inductive position sensors and electric motors.

About the role

This role involves leading the design of high-performance inductive position sensors and encoders, as well as electric motors, serving as a technical leader across both disciplines within Novanta’s Robotics & Automation group, which focuses on ultra-precise motion, sensing, and robotic end-of-arm technologies.

What you'll do

• Lead design of inductive (resonant/eddy-current) position sensors and encoders, including coil/PCB sensor pattern design, target design, and sensing IC/ASIC integration.
• Optimize sensor coil/target geometries and motor magnetic circuits using electromagnetic FEA to achieve required accuracy, resolution, and torque/efficiency targets.
• Validate inductive sensor and motor designs through prototype build, bench characterization, and correlation of simulation results with physical test data.
• Develop and maintain technology roadmaps for inductive sensing/encoder and electric motor product lines.
• Lead design of electric motors (BLDC, PMSM, induction), including magnetic circuit design, winding configuration, and FEA-based electromagnetic analysis.
• Ensure sensor and motor designs comply with applicable industry and regulatory standards (e.g., UL, CSA, CE, IEC, NEMA) and internal safety requirements.

What you'll need

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, electromechanical engineering, or a related technical field; 8+ years of combined experience in electromagnetic sensor/position-sensing design and/or electric motor design.
• Hands-on experience designing inductive (resonant/eddy-current) position sensors or encoders, including coil/PCB sensor pattern design, target design, and integration of sensing ICs/ASICs, OR designing electric motors (BLDC, PMSM, induction), including magnetic circuit design and winding configuration.
• Proficient in electromagnetic FEA tools for coil, target, and magnetic circuit simulation (e.g., Ansys Maxwell).
• Working knowledge of PCB design constraints and electronics/firmware integration for sensor ICs.
• Experience with electric motor design principles (BLDC, PMSM, induction, synchronous).
• Proficient in 2D and 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD).

Nice to have

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, electromechanical engineering, or a related technical field.
• Working knowledge of signal-processing/interpolation techniques for position sensing (ratiometric calculation, SIN/COS interpolation).
• Familiarity with applicable industry standards and regulatory compliance requirements (UL, CSA, CE, IEC, IEEE, NEMA).

Skills: inductive position sensors, electric motors, electromagnetic FEA, sensing IC/ASIC integration, magnetic circuit design, PCB design