R&D Engineer 1/2 - 201 MHz HPRF & LLRF team

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos (NM)

On-site

USD 70,000 - 90,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

PPO or High Deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) with 6% matching

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks an R&D Engineer Level 1 or 2 to support the RF Engineering group. This role involves planning and implementing RF system upgrades and leading mechanical designs. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and experience with CAD software. The position offers various benefits, including medical insurance, 401(k) matching, and educational assistance. Work is on-site in Los Alamos, NM with a focus on safe practices in a radiation environment.

Qualifications

Proficiency in modeling components from measurements or drawings.
Knowledge of manufacturing techniques for manual and CNC machines.
Experience interacting with manufacturers for engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

Collaborate in planning RF system upgrades.
Lead mechanical design and interconnections.
Design water and air cooling systems for RF components.

Skills

2D and 3D CAD (AutoCAD or SolidWorks)

Analytical and computational analysis

Strong communication and presentation skills

Experience with water-cooling designs

Electrical and/or electronic systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Overview

The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division (AOT), Radio Frequency Engineering (RFE) group seeks an R&D Engineer Level 1 or Level 2 for the 201 MHz High‑Power RF (HPRF) team at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). The role is a support position guiding engineering projects, including RF system upgrades, mechanical design, and solid‑state amplifier development.

R&D Engineer 1 Responsibilities

Collaborate in planning and implementing RF system upgrades with a larger team.
Build high‑power RF test stands and support large‑scale changes to high‑voltage and Diacrode amplifiers.
Design portions of the system and interconnections with other engineers, technologists, and technicians.
Procure high‑power components, coordinate with other teams to determine power, water cooling and mechanical requirements, and deliver coordinated solutions.

R&D Engineer 2 Responsibilities

Lead mechanical design and interconnections of the RF system.
Manage the entire design lifecycle from client constraints through design, simulation and calculation of stresses, coordination with manufacturers, procurement and installation.
Design water and air cooling systems for high‑power RF components.

Minimum Requirements (all levels)

Experience with individual and team assignments.
Proficiency in 2D and 3D CAD (AutoCAD or SolidWorks).
Ability to model existing components from measurements or drawings and create assemblies and drawing packages in accordance with ASME Y14.5 standards.
Analytical and computational analysis for structural component design in accordance with applicable engineering standards.
Knowledge of manufacturing techniques for manual and CNC machines to aid design and fabrication.
Experience interacting with manufacturers to determine best engineering solutions.
Strong written communication and presentation skills.
Capacity to work safely in radiation environments while adhering to ALARA principles.

Additional Requirements – R&D Engineer 2

Thermal analysis and design of air or water cooling systems.
Design of support structures for complex geometries subject to thermal gradients.
Production of component specifications and design documentation.
Leadership of procurement, testing and installation of high‑priced items.
Mentoring and professional development of junior staff or students.

Education and Experience

R&D Engineer 1: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related) and 2 years of related experience, or equivalent combination.
R&D Engineer 2: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related) and 4 years of related experience, or equivalent combination.

Desired Qualifications

Experience producing water‑cooling designs (manifolds, flow, temperature, pressure measurement).
Coordination of multidisciplinary teams on complex projects.
Budget estimation for materials and effort in high‑consequence jobs.
Follow‑through on design to installation of complex assemblies.
Ability to realign efforts to meet project deliverables.
Electrical and/or electronic systems knowledge.
Multi‑physics simulations.
Operations experience at an accelerator facility.

Essential Job Functions

Ability to speak; discriminate speech; hear in normal range; sit, stand, walk, climb ladders, bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, twist trunk or back; lift and carry over 30 lb; use both hands and arms; reach overhead, horizontally and down; apply torque with hands or arms.

Work Environment

On‑site in Los Alamos, NM. Work environment includes accelerator facilities and radiation protection requirements.

Position Commitment

Regular appointment employees required to have served one year of continuous service in their current position before applying for posted jobs.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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. The Laboratory is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Benefits