Lead Water System Engineer III​/Engineering​/Physicist Accelerator III

Michigan State University (MSU) operates the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) as a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics. FRIB provides researchers with one of the most advanced tools of modern science to study rare isotopes, or short-lived nuclei not normally found on Earth.

Hosting what is designed to be the most powerful heavy-ion accelerator, FRIB enables scientists to make discoveries about the properties of rare isotopes, nuclear astrophysics, fundamental interactions, and applications for society, including in medicine, homeland security, and industry. User facility operation is supported by the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics as one of 28 DOE-SC user facilities. MSU’s nuclear physics graduate program is a top-ranked program nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report.

This position affords an exciting opportunity to become part of the world-class FRIB Laboratory that enables unique discovery opportunities in nuclear science.

The Non-Conventional Utilities Lead Water System Engineer III serves as the lead water systems engineer responsible for the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of FRIB’s specialized cooling water and process utility systems. The position provides technical leadership for radioactive cooling water loops, water treatment systems, hydrogen recombination systems, process piping networks, pumps, heat exchangers, instrumentation, and associated utility infrastructure supporting accelerator operations.

This position is responsible for ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient system performance through engineering analysis, system design, failure analysis, maintenance planning, and operational support. The NCU Engineer III also provides technical leadership for the design, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, and long-term operation of new water and utility systems.

Serve as the system owner and subject matter expert for FRIB’s cooling water, water treatment, hydrogen recombination, and associated process utility systems. Provide technical leadership for system operation, maintenance, reliability improvement, and lifecycle management. Lead troubleshooting and failure analysis activities involving pumps, valves, heat exchangers, piping systems, instrumentation, control systems, and water treatment equipment. Develop and implement corrective actions to improve reliability and performance.

Design and develop modifications, upgrades, and new installations for cooling water, process piping, and utility systems. Perform engineering calculations, equipment sizing, hydraulic analyses, and technical reviews. Perform advanced engineering analysis of fluid flow, heat transfer, thermal performance, hydraulic systems, and system capacity to support operations and future facility needs. Direct and review maintenance, repair, testing, and commissioning activities for major utility system equipment.

Ensure work is performed in accordance with applicable engineering standards, operational requirements, and safety practices. Provide engineering support for facility projects involving cooling water systems, process utilities, and related infrastructure. Develop technical specifications, evaluate vendor proposals, and oversee contractor activities. Develop and maintain operating procedures, maintenance procedures, emergency response plans, system documentation, and personnel training materials. Conduct equipment performance assessments and trending analysis to identify degradation, improve system reliability, and support predictive maintenance activities.

Support budget planning, capital improvement ini