What You Will Do The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division (AOT), Radio Frequency Engineering (RFE) group is seeking a high-power RF engineer. The AOT division maintains, operates, and upgrades all accelerator systems used at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) complex. These consist of two 750-keV Cockcroft-Walton-based injector systems (H+ and H- systems), a 201.25-MHz drift tube linear accelerator utilizing high-power diacrode tubes, an 805-MHz coupled cavity linac utilizing klystrons as the primary power source, a proton storage ring, and roughly a kilometer of beam transport lines that feed beam to the five independent research programs. The RFE group is principally responsible for all RF systems, pulsed power systems, and high-power DC power supplies used to operate magnets on the beam transport lines. Low-level RF (LLRF) control and monitoring of the various RF sources used to drive the beam is critical to the high performance and successful operation of the accelerator. This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 1/R&D Engineer 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level. R&D Engineer 1 ($90,000 - $147,100) As a member of the AOT-RFE high power RF Engineering team, the successful candidate, working closely with other engineers, technologists and technicians, will be contribute to the operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of the LANSCE 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 position will also involve working under the direction of senior engineers to plan and implement RF system upgrades, e.g., klystron amplifiers and associated high-voltage pulsed power systems; klystron modulator data collection, analysis and control systems; and accelerator cavity resonance control systems. The successful candidate will also provide on-call support for the LANSCE high power RF systems after hours and on weekends. The on-call assignment will typically be for one seek per month during accelerator operations (approximately 7 months per year). R&D Engineer 2 ($99,200 - $164,100) In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level, the position at this level will be responsible for planning and managing maintenance activities; analyzing RF system data to inform design enhancements for improving performance and reliability; planning, designing, implementing, and managing RF system upgrade projects, e.g. high-voltage convertor modulator power systems; klystron modulator monitoring and control systems; cavity resonance controls systems. The successful candidate will also provide power electronics expertise to all segments of the group, particularly in the areas related to vacuum tube amplifiers and the equipment required to operate them. There will also be opportunities to support LANSCE physicists and scientists on special projects. What You Need Minimum Job Requirements: * Demonstrated ability to read and understand schematics.
* Demonstrated undergraduate training in electrical engineering fields that support competency in microwave engineering such as high-voltage and pulsed-power engineering, RF power amplifiers and transmitters, DC and pulsed-power systems, microwave and RF components, or RF transport systems.
* Demonstrated experience in effectively producing written documents and successful oral communication skills.
Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 2: In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires: * Demonstrated record of contributions to the design, development, testing, and installation of high-power RF vacuum tube-based amplifier systems, high-voltage or pulsed power systems.
* Demonstrated experience working as part of a team to develop RF amplifier and/or high-voltage systems.
* Demonstrated recent and successful hands-on experience troubleshooting, installing, and testing of high-power RF or pulsed power systems.
* Demonstrated record of leading the design, development, testing and installation of high-power RF vacuum tube-based amplifier systems and high-voltage systems.
Education/Experience at R&D Engineer 1 level: Position requires a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution related to the occupation. Up to 2 years of related experience may be desired. Education/Experience at R&D Engineer 2 level: Position requires a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Desired Qualifications: * Experience with high-voltage DC and pulsed-power systems.
* Experience with computer-based circuit layout simulation (PSpice, Multisim, LTSPice, etc.)
* Experience with NI LabView and LabView/FPGA programming.
* Experience with matrix algebra and block diagram simulation software (Matlab/Simulink, Scilab/Xcos, etc.).
* Operations experience at an accelerator facility.
* Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.
Note to Applicants: Consideration for the position will be strictly limited to applicants that submit a comprehensive cover letter addressing, bullet by bullet, each of the required and desired skills. Essential Job Functions(can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):Ability to speak, ability to hear in a normal range, standing, walking, reaching overhead, reaching horizontally, reaching down, gripping with hands, typing or keyboarding. Location: This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM. Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Where You Will Work Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes: § PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network § Dental and vision insurance § Free basic life and disability insurance § Paid childbirth and parental leave § Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually) § Learning opportunities and tuition assistance § Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, and holidays) § Onsite gyms and wellness programs § Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A. Clearance: U(Position will be cleared to this level). Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance which requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon position, additional authorization to access nuclear weapons information may be required that may or may not be available to dual citizens depending upon the circumstances. *Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information. New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer. Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status. Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to or call option 1.Employment StatusFull Time