Mechanical Engineer for RF/Cryo

Brookhaven National Laboratory; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 101,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

Brookhaven National Laboratory's NSLS-II RF Group designs, operates, and maintains high‑power RF systems, cavities, and cryogenic plant subsystems. The role focuses on mechanical components analysis, development, and on‑site operation, contributing to accelerator performance and reliability.

You will work with engineers and technicians across phases from prototyping to commissioning, with on-site duties and on-call support as needed.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Physics or related field with at least 3 years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Master's degree counts as 1 year experience.
• Experience with ANSYS, CST or similar multiphysics tools.
• Experience with 3-D CAD tools (Inventor, SolidWorks, Pro/E or similar).
• Hands-on experience selecting, procuring, assembling, and installing mechanical parts or components.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and teamwork in diverse groups.
• Availability for limited off-hour on-call support (<2%).

Responsibilities

• Develop, commission, operate, troubleshoot and repair mechanical sub-systems and hardware.
• Perform analysis and calculations using ANSYS, CST and related tools.
• Assist in cryogenic system operation and cavity operation.
• Design or procure mechanical components to meet accelerator needs.
• Create schematics, diagrams, and work instructions; maintain documentation.
• Develop maintenance schedules and work plans for mechanical systems.
• Stay current with principles and best practices in the field.

Skills

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Physics or related field

Master's degree in these fields (counts as 1 year experience)

Tools

ANSYS

CST

Inventor

SolidWorks

Pro/ENGINEER (Creo)

Job description

The National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLSII) 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 original NSLS. The mission of the NSLSII 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 klystrons and solid-state amplifiers. The group also designs, assembles and operates normal conducting and superconducting RF cavities and a liquid‑helium cryogenic plant consisting of two 870-watt refrigerator/liquefier coldboxes. This position is responsible for the continued analysis, development, operation and optimization of mechanical components and sub‑systems for the RF cavities, transmitters, the cryogenic plant, and utility systems. The successful candidate is expected to learn on the job all mechanical‑related RF and cryogenics concepts. You will work as a productive and collaborative member of a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians through all phases of system design, component selection, prototyping, fabrication, installation, commissioning, operation, and troubleshooting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, commission, operate, troubleshoot and repair mechanical components and sub-systems, including limited off‑hours support.
• Perform analysis, simulation and calculation of mechanical components and systems using tools such as ANSYS, CST and related codes.
• Assist in cryogenic system operation and cryo‑related cavity operation.
• Design, procure, and/or develop mechanical components and subsystems to meet evolving accelerator requirements.
• Generate and maintain schematics, diagrams, work instructions and technical documentation.
• Develop maintenance schedules and work plans for operating mechanical systems.
• Maintain current knowledge of principles, methods, and best practices within the related fields.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Physics or a related field with a minimum of three (3) years of mechanical engineering experience, with a demonstrated record of successful contributions.
• Master's degree in these fields is counted as 1-year experience.
• Demonstrated experience with structural or thermal simulation tools such as ANSYS, CST, or equivalent multiphysics analysis software.
• Experience with 3-D CAD (Inventor, SolidWorks, Pro-E or similar tools), drawing standards and engineering codes.
• Experience of using common components, tools and equipment, such as pressure gauges, flow meters, control valves and pressure relief valves.
• Hands‑on experience on specifying, procuring, assembly and installation of mechanical parts or components.
• 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, Physics or related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Master's degree in these fields is counted as 1-year experience.
• Experience in supervising designers and technicians.
• Experience with cryogenic, RF, magnet or vacuum systems for accelerator applications.
• Experience with high‑power systems (>5kW).
• Experience in pressure or 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 Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. This is a multi‑level role and the full salary range for this position is $100,600.00 - $160,710.00 / year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

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About Us

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize‑winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Equal Opportunity / Aff. Action Employer

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer‑Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Compliance

*VEVRAA Federal Contractor BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file Welcome.