Pulsed Power Graduate Student

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) seeks a highly motivated graduate student to support experimental operations and engineering activities at the DARHT facility, contributing to the operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the pulsed power systems.

Working onsite in Los Alamos, NM, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, physicists, and technicians to aid analyses, testing, data evaluation, modeling, and documentation that improve reliability, safety, and

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited graduate degree program in Electrical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Completion of at least 28 graduate semester credits toward a graduate degree.
• Must be enrolled in at least 6 semester credit hours (or full-time equivalent).
• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
• Demonstrated knowledge of electrical engineering fundamentals, including circuit analysis, power systems, electromagnetics, or pulsed power.
• Experience with engineering analysis and modeling tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, LTspice, ANSYS, COMSOL, or equivalent software.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment while supporting complex experimental operations.
• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering is preferred.
• Coursework or research experience in pulsed power, high-voltage engineering, power electronics, accelerator systems, or electrical power systems.
• Experience supporting laboratory research, experimental facilities, or large-scale engineering systems.
• Familiarity with electrical diagnostics, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, or control systems.
• Experience programming in MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, C/C++, or similar engineering software.
• Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices in laboratory or industrial environments.
• Experience interpreting electrical drawings, schematics, and engineering documentation.

Responsibilities

• Support experimental operations and engineering activities at the DARHT facility.
• Assist with electrical engineering analyses and testing and commissioning activities.
• Evaluate system performance, analyze experimental and operational data, develop engineering models and documentation, and contribute to projects that improve reliability, safety, and performance.

Skills

Electrical engineering fundamentals

MATLAB

Simulink

LTspice

ANSYS

COMSOL

Technical communication

Team collaboration

Education

Graduate degree program in Electrical Engineering

28 graduate credit hours completed

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

LTspice

ANSYS

COMSOL

Job description

What You Will Do

Integrated Weapons Experiments Division (J Division), J-6 Group, is seeking a highly motivated graduate student to support experimental operations and engineering activities at the Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) Facility. This position provides an opportunity to contribute to the operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of one of the world’s premier high-energy radiographic facilities supporting the Laboratory's national security mission.

Selected candidate will work alongside a multidisciplinary team of engineers, physicists, and technicians responsible for the operation and sustainment of DARHT's pulsed power and accelerator systems. Research and engineering activities may include pulsed power systems, high-voltage engineering, power distribution, electrical diagnostics, instrumentation and controls, system performance analysis, reliability improvements, and experimental support for facility operations.

Working under the guidance of experienced technical staff, the graduate student will assist with electrical engineering analyses, support testing and commissioning activities, evaluate system performance, analyze experimental and operational data, develop engineering models and documentation, and contribute to projects that improve the reliability, safety, and performance of DARHT's accelerator and pulsed power systems.

The position may begin at any time during the year based on programmatic needs.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an accredited graduate degree program in Electrical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Completion of at least 28 graduate semester credit hours toward a graduate degree.
• Must be enrolled in at least 6 semester credit hours (or full-time equivalent).
• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
• Demonstrated knowledge of electrical engineering fundamentals, including circuit analysis, power systems, electromagnetics, or pulsed power.
• Experience with engineering analysis and modeling tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, LTspice, ANSYS, COMSOL, or equivalent software.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment while supporting complex experimental operations.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering is preferred.
• Coursework or research experience in pulsed power, high-voltage engineering, power electronics, accelerator systems, or electrical power systems.
• Experience supporting laboratory research, experimental facilities, or large-scale engineering systems.
• Familiarity with electrical diagnostics, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, or control systems.
• Experience programming in MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, C/C++, or similar engineering software.
• Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices in laboratory or industrial environments.
• Experience interpreting electrical drawings, schematics, and engineering documentation.

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.

Note to Applicants

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.

• For full consideration along with your resume, please submit a cover letter addressing how your meet the minimum and desired qualifications.
• Please also attach an official transcript.

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 (PTO 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: Q

Position will be cleared to this level. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

• 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.

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 P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

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 [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.