Engineering Technologist - MHz HPRF Team

What You Will Do

The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division (AOT), Radio Frequency Engineering (RFE) group is seeking an Engineering Technologist level 2 or level 3 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 include two 750-keV Cockcroft-Walton-based injector systems (H+ and H-), a 201.25-MHz drift-tube linear accelerator (LINAC) using high-power diacrode tubes, an 805-MHz coupled cavity LINAC using high-power klystrons as the primary power source, a proton storage ring, and roughly a kilometer of beam transport lines delivering beam to five independent research programs.

The RFE group is responsible for all RF systems and comprises 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 Engineering Technologist 2 or 3 level, depending on the selected candidate. Additional responsibilities will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

Engineering Technologist 2 ($94,500 - $154,600)

The successful candidate will contribute to the operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of the LANSCE 201.25-MHz and 805-MHz high-power RF (HPRF) systems, including high-voltage power supplies and associated electronics, and high-power RF test stand development and operation. The role involves planning and implementing RF system upgrades in collaboration with High Voltage and RF engineers (e.g., new klystron amplifiers and modern solid-state high-voltage pulsed power systems), prototype testing, data collection and analysis for design refinement of klystrons and modulators.

The position includes on-call support for the LANSCE high power RF systems after hours and on weekends, typically one week per month during accelerator operations (approximately 7 months per year). Additionally, the role includes planning and managing maintenance activities; analyzing RF system data to inform design enhancements for performance and reliability; planning, designing, implementing, and contributing to RF system upgrade projects (e.g., high-voltage converter/modulator power systems and klystron modulator monitoring and control systems).

The successful candidate will provide power electronics expertise to all segments of the group, particularly in vacuum tube amplifiers and related equipment.

Engineering Technologist 3 ($104,100 - $172,200)

In addition to the responsibilities at the Technologist 2 level, the Technologist 3 will work with senior RF engineers to develop specifications and procure new klystron amplifiers and modern solid-state high-voltage pulsed power systems, and lead the installation of a new High Power RF test stand at LANSCE.

Minimum

Job Requirements:

Engineering Technologist 2

• Demonstrated experience in electrical engineering fields supporting microwave engineering, including high-voltage and pulsed-power engineering, RF power amplifiers, DC and pulsed-power systems, microwave and RF components, or RF transport systems.
• Demonstrated electrical, electronics, and mechanical skills in an industrial or laboratory setting.
• Experience reading and understanding schematics and working from documentation, diagrams, layouts, plans and written or verbal instructions.
• Experience creating electrical and electronic schematics using CAD.
• Demonstrated ability to produce written documents (technical procedures) and effective oral communication.
• Experience working with others in the design, development, testing and installation of high-power RF vacuum tube-based amplifier systems and/or high-voltage systems.
• Demonstrated technical skill in developing advanced concepts for high-power RF vacuum tube-based amplifier systems and/or high-voltage systems.
• Experience implementing engineering design in accordance with best practices and engineering principles.
• Skills applying best practices and system engineering processes to requirements definition and translating those requirements into designs meeting customer expectations.

Additional Job…