Sr Radiation Physicist​/Engineer – Microelectronics

* This position is contingent upon contract award.
* * This position is eligible for a $500 Zel Tech Non-Employee Referral fee. Contact Zel Tech Recruiters for questions concerning this matter.
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Job Summary

Zel Tech is seeking a Senior Radiation Physicist/Engineer to lead predictive analysis and radiation-effects modeling for microelectronics integrated into space-and terrestrial assets. In this role, you will bridge space environment physics, computational radiation modeling, and empirical test correlation. The ideal candidate’s efforts will result in analysis tools used to support design and development of microelectronic components, subsystems, and payloads that can survive and perform reliably across long-duration space and terrestrial missions.

Resulting efforts will also support predictive analysis of performance thresholds for already deployed assets.

The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in space radiation environments (trapped belts, galactic cosmic rays, solar particle events), radiation-matter interaction theory, advanced data analytics, and will play a pivotal role in predicting asset survivability, shaping radiation-hardened-by-design (RHBD) architectures, and correlating predictive models against real-world and test data.

Responsibilities

Space Environment & Predictive Physics Modeling

• Space-Domain Modeling:
  Develop, validate, and refine predictive physics models to evaluate single-event effects (SEE), total ionizing dose (TID), enhanced low-dose-rate sensitivity (ELDRS), and displacement damage dose (DDD) in advanced microelectronics intended for orbital and deep-space platforms.
• Radiation Transport Simulations:
  Perform high-fidelity transport and energy-deposition simulations across component, board, and system-level shielding configurations.
• Failure Mechanism Analysis:
  Apply radiation impact theory to identify physical degradation mechanisms and single-event phenomena in semiconductor technologies (e.g., FinFET, FD-SOI, GaN, SiC, 3D ICs).

• Complex Data Integration:
  Process, analyze, and synthesize large, high-dimensional datasets combining environment models, simulated physics outcomes, and accelerator ground-testing data.
• Correlation Studies:
  Design and execute statistical correlation studies comparing predicted asset radiation responses against empirical test data.
• Model Validation:
  Calibrate theoretical and computational frameworks using ground test results to continuously improve prediction accuracy and quantify model uncertainty for high-reliability mission profiles.

• Must be a US citizen.
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.
• Must have a master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Electrical Engineering (with a focus on semiconductor physics), Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline and 7+ years of post-graduate professional or research experience in radiation physics, space environment analysis, or radiation effects on microelectronics.
• Successful background and drug screening check.

• Radiation & Microelectronics Theory:
  Deep theoretical understanding of radiation environments, charge transport, single-event transients/upsets, micro-dosimetry, and displacement damage in microelectronics.
• Advanced Data Analysis:
  Proficiency in statistical data analysis, regression models, and data visualization using programming environments such as Python (Num Py, Sci Py, Pandas), MATLAB, or R.
• Empirical Data Correlation:
  Proven track record of evaluating radiation test data (heavy ion, proton, neutron, gamma, X-ray) and conducting data-driven validation against predictive models for flight microelectronics.

• Strong technical writing capability with experience writing comprehensive analytical reports and readiness reviews.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex physics concepts for cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving mindset and comfort navigating multi-variable, empirical-versus-modeled data discrepancies.

• Direct experience supporting satellite programs, space domain payloads, or…