Electrical Engineer ; R&D Engineer

Overview

The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division (AOT), Radio Frequency Engineering (RFE) group is seeking an R&D Engineer Level 1 or Level 2 for their 805 MHz HPRF team. The AOT division maintains, operates, and upgrades all accelerator systems used at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) complex. These consist of two 750-keV Cockcroft-Walton-based injector systems (H+ and H- systems), a 201.25-MHz drift-tube linear accelerator (LINAC) utilizing high-power diacrode tubes, an 805-MHz coupled cavity LINAC utilizing high-power klystrons as the primary power source, a proton storage ring, and roughly a kilometer of beam transport lines that deliver beam to the five independent research programs.

The RFE group is principally responsible for all radio frequency (RF) systems. The group consists of three teams: (1) Low-Level RF (LLRF) focused on real-time phase and amplitude controls; (2) High-Power RF (HPRF) systems at 201 MHz; and (3) High-Power RF systems at 805 MHz.

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 1 or R&D Engineer 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Salary: $94,500 - $154,600

As a key member of the AOT-RFE 805 MHz high-power RF Engineering team, you will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the LANSCE 805 MHz high-power RF systems, including associated electronics, high-voltage power supplies, and modulators. You will also provide expert power electronics knowledge to support the team's work on vacuum tube amplifiers and the equipment required to operate them.

Additionally, you will play a critical role in planning and implementing future RF system upgrades, such as klystron amplifiers and high-voltage pulsed power systems. Your expertise will be invaluable in collaborating with LANSCE physicists and scientists on special projects to ensure successful operation of RF systems. You will also analyze RF system data to inform design enhancements that improve performance and reliability.

Furthermore, you will serve as on-call support for the LANSCE high-power RF systems, providing 24/7 coverage for approximately 7 months per year during accelerator operations. This demanding role requires a high level of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Salary: $104,100 - $172,200

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level the ideal candidate has a fundamental and practical understanding of RF transport, high frequency electronics, and vacuum tubes. The candidate should have a track record of project completion. That is, the candidate will be expected to take tasks from initial assignment (at any stage in the process) and following the task towards satisfactory completion under different circumstances, depending on the level complexity, that can be as a team effort or individual contributor, and up to and including leading a project altogether.

Minimum

Job Requirements:

• Demonstrated undergraduate training in electrical engineering fields that supports competency in microwave engineering, high-voltage and pulsed-power engineering, RF power amplifiers and transmitters, DC and pulsed-power systems, microwave and RF components, and RF transport systems.
• Demonstrated ability to read and understand schematics.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively producing written documents and successful oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to accomplish technical tasks while working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team with engineers, scientists, and technicians.

Additional job requirements for the R&D Engineer 2:

• Demonstrated record of leading the design, development, testing and installation of high-power RF vacuum tube-based amplifier systems and high-voltage systems.
• Demonstrated technical leadership in developing advanced concepts for high-power RF vacuum tube-based amplifier systems and high-voltage systems.
• Demonstrated record of developing innovating high power RF…