Chief Engineer

Requisition  Overview:

The Plasma Facing Components & Engineering (PFCE) Division at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks applications for a Chief Engineer experienced with DOE or DOD scientific experimental operating facilities to develop methods for consistent, efficient, and reliable system operations.  As well as develop schedule planning for system maintenance, repairs, and upgrades for the Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX). MPEX is a linear plasma device under construction at ORNL that enables expanded fusion reactor–relevant material science capabilities, particularly those related to plasma material interaction (PMI) research.

MPEX will deliver steady state plasmas to PMI targets with heat fluxes of 10 MW
• m-2 and particle fluences of 1031 m-2 for up to 2-weeks. The plasma source and heating (PS&H) systems use 13.56 MHz, 4-9 MHz, and 70 or 105 GHz sources to enable independent control of ion and electron temperatures, facilitating plasma conditions at the target that closely resemble those observed at the divertor region in tokamak-style fusion reactor.

The PFCE division carries out experiment-based research and development work in support of ongoing science and technology research for the U.S. DOE Fusion Energy Sciences Program.

Key Responsibilities:

Serve as the primary design authority for MPEX engineering policies and procedures. Coordinate system preventative maintenance and upgrade schedules to align with MPEX scientific mission goals. Develop maintenance plans to improve reliability and availability of system equipment.

Strengthen and standardize engineering discipline across teams. Perform failure analysis of MPEX system equipment and propose reliability upgrades.

Create and maintain documentation including operating procedures for system equipment and ancillary systems.
Work with a multidisciplinary team of research scientists and engineers in the areas of fusion energy research to maintain a high level of scientific productivity.

Provide occasional shift support for MPEX operations including call-in and off-normal work hours.

Ensure a safe and efficient work environment and compliance with ESH&Q procedures and programs.

Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Required Qualifications:

BS degree in electrical engineering, physics or related field with at least 20 years of applicable experience.

Experience with formal project management protocol for large integrated technology platforms.

Experience in broadcast, military, medical, or scientific applications.

Experience in designing, specifying, and procuring system components.

Experience with EM safety considerations and FCC regulations.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in control system theory and techniques.
15 years-experience in RF engineering, including high power RF generation and system integration.

Experience in routine operation of RF systems including high power RF system equipment.

Experience with RF measurements and the associated test equipment. Experience making measurements with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, RF network analyzers, RF power meters and other RF measurement techniques.

This position offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge fusion energy research at ORNL, supporting critical experimental infrastructure in collaboration with leading scientists and engineers.

Special Requirements :
For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real  form of identification will be required.  Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy…