Pulsed Power Engineer 1/2 (R&D Engineer 1/2)
Los Alamos National Security LLC
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM is seeking a R&D Engineer 1/2 to provide expertise in testing and troubleshooting pulsed power systems for the LANSCE accelerator. You will analyze live data, interpret schematics, and help improve designs while supporting operations.
The role includes on-call after hours during the accelerator period, and advancement to Level 2 with greater responsibilities. A BS in engineering and hands-on lab experience are required.
Qualifications
- Experience in testing, troubleshooting, and characterization of electrical circuits and ability to analyze performance and implement solutions.
- Ability to perform hands-on work in a lab, monitor live tests, diagnose issues in real time, and adhere to safety requirements.
- Undergraduate training in electrical engineering with a focus on high-voltage and pulsed-power engineering.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Assist design, testing, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of pulsed power systems for LANSCE and upgrades.
- Support maintenance of high-voltage/high-current power supplies and related electronics used in beam-kicker systems.
- Plan and implement pulsed power systems such as Blumlein modulators and high-voltage systems.
- Develop and apply analysis and control systems for pulsed power equipment.
- Read electrical schematics and technical docs to aid assembly, maintenance, and issue resolution.
- Perform basic circuit analysis using PSPICE, Multisim, or LTSPICE.
- Apply MATLAB/Simulink/Mathcad for modeling and performance evaluation.
- Document maintenance activities and observations for recordkeeping and communication.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to support operational readiness during accelerator activities.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division Applied Electrodynamics (AOT-AE) group is seeking a R&D Engineer 1/2 to provide expertise, support, and technical expertise in all aspects of testing and troubleshooting pulsed power systems. We look for candidates with expertise in electric circuits including experiment setup, live analysis of data during testing, and ability to make changes to improve designs. This position will support LAMP and LANE project activities and regular operations of the LANSCE accelerator.
- Assisting with the design, testing, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of pulsed power systems, including high-voltage power supplies and associated electronics, in support of LANSCE accelerator and its upgrades.
- Supporting the maintenance and troubleshooting of high-voltage/high-current power supplies and associated electronics used in fast rise-time beam-kicker systems.
- Assisting with the planning and implementation of pulsed power systems, such as Blumlein modulators, power electronic systems, and associated high-voltage pulsed power systems, in support of LANSCE operation and upgrades.
- Supporting the development and application of analysis and control systems for pulsed power equipment.
- Reading and interpreting electrical schematics and technical documentation for pulsed power and high-voltage systems to assist with system assembly, maintenance, and issue resolution.
- Assisting with basic circuit analysis using simulation tools such as PSPICE, Multisim, or LTSPICE in evaluating pulsed power system behavior.
- Applying foundational engineering analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, Mathcad) to support modeling and performance evaluation of pulsed power systems.
- Documenting maintenance activities, technical observations, and basic reports to support LANSCE Pulsed Power team recordkeeping and communication.
- Working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to support the operational readiness of pulsed power systems during accelerator activities.
Providing on-call support for the LANSCE Pulsed Power team after hours and on weekends, typically for one week per 1.5 months during the approximately seven-month accelerator operations period.
- Performing the design, testing, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of pulsed power systems, including high-voltage power supplies and associated electronics, in support of LANSCE accelerator and its upgrades.
- Performing the maintenance and troubleshooting of high-voltage/high-current power supplies and associated electronics used in fast rise-time beam-kicker systems.
- Planning and implementing pulsed power systems, such as Blumlein modulators, power electronic systems, and associated high-voltage pulsed power systems, in support of LANSCE operation and upgrades.
- Supporting the development and application of analysis and control systems for pulsed power equipment.
- Reading and interpreting electrical schematics and component-level technical documentation to support system assembly, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
- Using circuit simulation tools such as PSPICE, Multisim, LTSPICE, or similar software to analyze circuit behavior and support design and test activities.
- Applying matrix algebra and engineering analysis tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, Mathcad, or similar software to evaluate system performance and support modeling efforts.
- Documenting technical work in clear written reports, test summaries, and presentations, and communicating results effectively to team members and stakeholders.
- Working both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team to meet project objectives.
- Planning, coordinating, and leading test experiments, including preparing test configurations, supporting safe execution, documenting results, and helping drive resolution of identified issues.
Providing on-call support for the LANSCE Pulsed Power team after hours and on weekends, typically for one week per 1.5 months during the approximately seven-month accelerator operations period.
- Experience in the testing, troubleshooting, and characterization of electrical circuits, with the ability to analyze performance, identify anomalous behavior, and implement effective solutions.
- Ability to safely perform hands-on work in a laboratory or experimental environment, including monitoring live tests, diagnosing system issues in real time, and operating within approved electrical and laboratory safety requirements.
- Demonstrated undergraduate training in electrical engineering with the focus on high-voltage and pulsed-power engineering.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated record of contributions to the design, development, testing, and installation of high-voltage, high-current, or pulsed power systems.
Education/Experience at Level 1: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation combined with 2 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation.
Education/Experience at Level 2: Position requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university and 4 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Preference will be given to candidates with a Master's or a PhD degrees.
- Operations experience at an accelerator facility.
- Demonstrated expertise with complicated pulsed power circuit designs
- Demonstrated experience with EDA and ECAD tools (Cadence, Siemens EDA, Altium, KiCad)
- Experience with automated test and measurement system programs and languages (C++, LabVIEW, NI TestStand)
- A current Q clearance, or the ability to obtain such, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.
Note to Applicants: Each applicant must submit a resume and a cover letter addressing the required skills for full consideration.
Work Location: 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.
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 (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
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.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
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.
Equal Opportunity: 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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