Cryogenic Engineer

Location: Upton

The National Synchrotron Light Source is a state-of-the-art, medium-energy (3-billion-electron-volt, or GeV) electron storage ring that produces x-rays up to 10,000 times brighter than the NSLS. The mission of the National Synchrotron Light Source is to provide extremely bright x-rays for basic and applied research in biology and medicine, materials and chemical sciences, geosciences and environmental sciences, and nanoscience. To support this program, the NSLSII must design, fabricate, assemble, test, install, and operate unique research equipment to generate, transport, transfer, accelerate and focus electron and X-ray beams.

This includes a combination of custom designed and built parts and vendor produced components developed by a collaboration of the NSLSII scientific, engineering, and technical staff. The NSLSII supports an international user community of over 2,200 researchers from 400 universities. The NSLSII performs all these functions in an environmentally responsible and safe manner, under a rigorous conduct of operations approach.

Position Description The NSLS-II RF Group designs, fabricates, operates, and maintains multiple high power Radio Frequency (RF) systems, including superconducting RF cavities cooled by a 4-Kelvin liquid-helium cryogenic plant. The cryogenic plant consists of two 870-watt refrigerator/liquefier coldboxes, two 3,500L dewars, three compressors, a purifier, and associated manifold box and valve boxes, helium buffer tanks, transfer lines and a liquid Nitrogen system that supports coldbox operation.

This position is responsible for the continued development, operation and optimization of the cryogenic plant, and related mechanical and utility systems. The successful candidate is expected to learn on the job all cryogenics-related concepts. You will work as a productive and collaborative member of a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians through all phases of sub-system design, component selection, prototyping, fabrication, installation, commissioning, operation, and troubleshooting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

* Develop, commission, operate, troubleshoot and repair of cryogenic system and sub-systems, including limited off-hours support.
* Perform analysis, simulation and calculation of cryogenic and mechanical components and systems using tools such as ANSYS, Gaspak, REFPROP, CST and related codes.
* Assist in the cryogenic operation of superconducting cavities.
* Design, procure, and/or develop cryogenic subsystems to meet evolving accelerator requirements.
* Generate and maintain schematics, process flow diagrams, work instructions and technical documentation.
* Develop maintenance schedules and work plans for operating cryogenic systems.
* Maintain current knowledge of principles, methods, and best practices within the related fields.
* Mentor junior engineering and technical staff. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
* B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Cryogenic Engineering or Physics with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience, including at least five (5) years of combined experience in development and operation of cryogenic systems or similarly complex mechanical systems with a demonstrated record of successful contributions.
* Demonstrated experience with structural or thermal simulation tools such as ANSYS, CST, Refprop, Gaspak, Aspen HYSYS, or equivalent multiphysics analysis software.
* Experience of using common components, tools and equipment, such as pressure gauges, temperature sensors, cryogen level sensors, flow meters, pressure relief valves, control valves and pressure relief valves.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a diverse technical team environment.
* Availability for limited off-hour on-call support for urgent operational issues (typically < 2%). Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
* B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Cryogenic Engineering or Physics with a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience.
* Master's in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Cryogenic Engineering or Physics with a minimum of seven (9) years of relevant experience.
* Experience with cryogenic systems and components for superconducting cavities or magnets for accelerator applications.
* Experience in pressure and cryogenic safety analysis.
* Experience with process controls and feedback loops. Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements:
* Hand / eye coordination
* May be required to walk up to 0.5 mile & climb stairs to access equipment
* May be required to lift 30 lbs.
* May be required to climb ladders for equipment service and inspection
* May be required to occasionally work off-hours, nights and/or weekends to support mission critical projects Other Information:
* This is an onsite position.
* The candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. Brookhaven National…