Electrical Engineer (R&D Engineer 2 or 3)
Los Alamos National Security LLC
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Job summary
Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM, is seeking an R&D Engineer 2 or 3 for the 201.25 MHz High-Power RF team within the AOT-RFE group. The role covers design, testing, and installation of RF amplifier systems, with collaboration across engineering disciplines.
At level 3, the engineer will independently lead RF amplifier projects, handle full design and procurement, and develop safety documentation; at level 2, provide design support and documentation under guidance.
Qualifications
- Position requires a bachelor's degree in engineering and 4 years of related experience; or equivalent.
- Master's degree in Engineering with 6 years related experience; Ph.D. preferred for higher level.
Responsibilities
- Design analog and digital electronics to control and monitor amplifier systems.
- Create whole-system schematics and high-level documentation for high-voltage and analog electronics.
- Collaborate with engineers and technicians across multiple groups on complex projects.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
This position will be filled at either the Job Title Lower/Higher 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.
The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division (AOT), Radio Frequency Engineering (RFE) group is seeking an R&D Engineer 2 or 3 for the 201.25 MHz High-Power Radio-Frequency (201 HPRF) team.
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 (LINAC) utilizing high-power diacrode tubes, an 805-MHz coupled cavity LINAC utilizing high-power klystrons as the primary power source, a proton storage ring, and roughly a kilometer of beam transport lines that deliver beam to the five independent research programs. The RFE group is principally responsible for all radio frequency (RF) systems and their associated amplitude and phase control in relation to the accelerating beam.
Due to the different types of equipment that we are involved with, when working in AOT-RFE no day is the same as the next. Members of the 201 HPRF team are involved in the design, construction, testing and installation of high-frequency high-power amplifiers dedicated to produce the RF power to achieve optimal acceleration and bunching of the beam. The 201 HPRF team works on tetrode and Diacrode vacuum tubes and their kilowatt to multi-megawatt amplifier structures, solid-state amplifiers, coaxial transmission lines, combining/splitting high-power components, circulators, the high-voltage and high-current power supplies to provide power to the amplifiers, and analog and digital electronics and controls. Additionally, this position will support the LANSCE Modernization Project (LAMP) that will replace the front-end of the accelerator (injector systems and drift-tube LINAC). The 201 HPRF team will be responsible for modifications and upgrades to the RF systems in support of those efforts, such as high-power testing of RF components, controls upgrades, high-voltage power supply upgrade, etc.
The 201 HPRF team at LANSCE is looking for a candidate with a background in Electrical Engineering or related field to join the RF Engineering group. This is a support role with dynamic responsibilities, guided by the priorities of the High-Power Radio Frequency (HPRF) plant and upgrades required for LAMP. Duties include the design of analog and digital electronics to control and monitor amplifier systems while taking into account reliability, obsolescence and ease of maintenance. In addition, this position involve the study of complex electrical and electronic systems and creation of whole system schematics and high level documentation for high-voltage and analog electronics. Close collaboration and coordination with other engineers and technicians on the 201 HPRF team along with cooperation across other accelerator systems groups (such as mechanical, instrumentation and accelerator physics) is expected.
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level the successful candidate will independently lead the development and execution RF amplifier systems projects as a part of LAMP. This includes owning the full design and procurement process, including defining electrical, thermal, and mechanical interfaces, and developing installation plans that ensure system performance, reliability, and safety. The role also involves conducting hazard analyses and preparing safety documentation to maintain regulatory compliance.
- Proficiency in the development of whole system electrical schematics, including power, monitoring and controls.
- Proficiency with CAD software designed for electrical/electronics such as AutoCAD, kiCAD, Altium and/or Eagle.
- Experience with circuit simulation tools (e.g. PSpice, LTSpice).
- Experience in RF, high-voltage and/or high-power electronics.
- Strong documentation skills, including the creation of specifications, schematics, and test plans, along with the ability to present technical content to diverse audiences.
- Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively on complex, multi-disciplinary engineering projects.
- Proficiency in developing and supporting high-power electrical systems such as transformers, rectifiers, and DC or pulsed high-voltage power supplies.
- Strong background in diagnosing and resolving issues in RF and/or electrical systems throughout the full development lifecycle.
- Demonstrated ability to perform AC power design calculations, such as in-rush current, voltage drop, sequence currents, THD (total harmonic distortion).
- Demonstrated ability to perform DC power supply calculations, such as ripple-voltage, leakage current and, stored-energy.
- Proven track record of independently contributing to and occasionally leading complex, multi-disciplinary projects; skilled in translating technical requirements into effective, high-performance designs.
- Demonstrated skill in translating technical requirements into practical, high-performance system designs that meet customer expectations
Position requires a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Position requires a master's degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 6 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level a Ph.D. is be preferred.
- Proficiency with laboratory and RF test equipment.
- Experience with vacuum tube and/or solid state amplifiers.
- Proficiency with matrix algebra and block diagram simulation software such as Matlab/Simulink, Scilab/Xcos, or equivalent.
- Experience working with electromagnetic simulations of RF structures.
- Knowledge of High-voltage DC and pulsed-power systems.
- Hazard analysis and safety document creation.
- Hands-on operational experience at an accelerator facility.
- Experience with NI LabView and LabView/FPGA programming.
- Experience with industrial controls systems (design and or/programming).
- Demonstrated experience draft software to generate P&IDs, electrical drawings, red lines, etc.
- Operations experience at an accelerator facility.
Applicants are encouraged to submit a comprehensive cover letter addressing, bullet by bullet, each of the required and desired skills.
The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
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.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The Accelerator Operations and Technology - Radio Frequency Engineering (AOT-RFE) Group provides expertise, support, and technical leadership in all aspects of RF engineering including gridded tube amplifiers and klystrons as well as RF control systems and RF accelerator cavities. AOT-RFE's primary focus is the design, and implementation of RF systems for the LANSCE User Facility. This includes participation in current and future projects. AOT's secondary focus is to share its expertise and experience with organizations within the Laboratory as well as external partners and sponsors. Along these lines, AOT-RFE has worked on national accelerator and global security projects utilizing its knowledge base while incorporating cutting edge technology. Additionally, the group fosters and participates in worldwide collaborations, workshops, and conferences in the interest of exploring and pushing the frontiers in RF technology.
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 maternity and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
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.
Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
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.
Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, 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, state, and local 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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
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