Engineered Systems Tec - MHz HPRF Team

Overview

The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division (AOT), Radio Frequency Engineering (RFE) group is seeking an Engineered Systems Tec level 4 or level 5 for the High Power RF (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) with high-power diacrode tubes, an 805-MHz coupled cavity LINAC with 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 radio frequency (RF) systems and consists of three teams: (1) Low-Level RF (LLRF) for real-time phase and amplitude controls; (2) High-Power RF (HPRF) at 201 MHz; and (3) High-Power RF at 805 MHz.

The position may be filled at Engineered Systems Tec 4 or Tec 5 level, depending on the candidate’s skills. Additional responsibilities will be assigned if the higher level is selected.

Engineered Systems Tec 4 – The successful candidate will contribute to the operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of the LANSCE 201.25-MHz and 805-MHz HPRF systems, including high-voltage power supplies and related electronics, and high-power RF test stand development and operation. The role includes planning and implementing RF system upgrades (e.g., new klystron amplifiers and solid-state high-voltage pulsed power systems), prototype testing, data collection, and analysis for design refinement of klystrons and modulators.

The candidate will provide on-call support after hours and on weekends during accelerator operations (typically one week per month, about seven months per year). Additionally, the Tec 4 level contributes to planning, managing, and analyzing RF system data to inform design enhancements for performance and reliability; participates in RF system upgrade projects (e.g., high-voltage converter modulators and klystron monitoring/control systems).

The candidate provides power electronics expertise related to vacuum tube amplifiers and related equipment.

Engineered Systems Tec 5 – In addition to Tec 4 responsibilities, the Tec 5 will work with senior RF Technicians, Technologists, and Engineers on specification development and procurement of new klystron amplifiers and solid-state high-voltage pulsed power systems, and will work on the installation of a new HPRF test stand itional job requirements for Tec 5 include advanced leadership in the design, development, testing, and installation of high-power RF vacuum-tube amplifier systems and high-voltage systems, and leading engineering design in accordance with best practices.

Education/Experience at Level 4:
An associate’s degree in a related field and a minimum of 5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Additional training or certification may be expected.

Education/Experience at Level 5:
An associate’s degree in a related field and 7 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Additional training or certification may be expected.

Minimum Job Requirements (Tec
4):

• Demonstrated technical leadership in microwave engineering, including high-voltage and pulsed-power engineering, RF power amplifiers, DC and pulsed-power systems, microwave/RF components, or RF transport systems.
• Experience with electrical, electronics, and mechanical skills in an industrial or laboratory setting.
• Ability to read and understand schematics and work from documentation, diagrams, layouts, plans, and written or verbal instructions.
• Ability to create electrical/electronic schematics using CAD.
• Experience in producing written documents and effective oral communication.
• Experience in design, development, testing, and installation of high-power RF vacuum-tube amplifier systems and high-voltage systems.
• Technical skill in developing advanced concepts for high-power RF vacuum-tube amplifier systems and high-voltage…