Radiation Effects Systems Engineer-Huntsville (Pool)

Auburn University; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits

Educational opportunities

Collaborative work culture

Job summary

Auburn University’s ARI seeks a Radiation Effects Systems Engineer to support high-energy proton cyclotron, SEE laser, and Cobalt-60 testing for space hardware. You will maintain complex radiation-testing systems, coordinate preventive maintenance, and work with vendors to upgrade capabilities, ensuring readiness for scheduled testing and research projects.

This limited-term appointment will drive operation of state-of-the-art facilities, mentor students, and support the university’s research

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Focus of education: degree relevant to the position.
• Scope of experience: experience across multiple scientific disciplines is preferred, including mathematics, physical sciences, life sciences, computer science, etc.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain AUARI Radiation Effects Laboratory capabilities including proton cyclotron, SEE laser, and Cobalt-60/flash X-ray systems.
• Troubleshoot and repair electromechanical radiation-testing equipment.
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance schedules and spare-parts inventories.
• Coordinate installation, commissioning, and integration of new radiation-effects capabilities with facility systems.
• Interface with vendors and university personnel to resolve issues and implement upgrades.
• Mentor junior engineers and students and contribute to Auburn University’s research mission.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Overview

This is a pooled posting. This posting will remain open for an extended period of time and selected applicants will be contacted as future staffing needs arise.

This is a limited term appointment. Continuation of employment will be contingent upon the availability of funding.

These positions will be located in Huntsville, AL

Auburn University’s Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development and the Applied Research Institute (ARI) is seekinga Radiation Effects Systems Engineer to support the development, setup, and operation of radiation effects testing such as high-energy proton cyclotron, pulsed laser single event effects or Cobalt-60 Total Ionizing Dose (TID) on space hardware and electronics. These testing capabilities will serve as a key resource for radiation effects research and development within a larger state-of-the-art research center focused on radiation effects in advanced microelectronics. This role will provide key technical support involved in building and operating these cutting-edge capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Support the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of AUARI Radiation Effects Laboratory test capabilities, including:
  • Proton cyclotron systems
  • High-energy laser systems used for Single Event Effects (SEE) testing
  • Cobalt-60 gamma irradiation systems
  • Flash X-ray systems
  • Linear accelerators
  • Beam diagnostic and dosimetry equipment
  • Vacuum, cooling, compressed gas, power, controls, and other supporting systems
• Serve as a technical resource for the operation, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of complex electromechanical radiation-testing equipment.
• Perform and coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance activities to maximize equipment availability and minimize test interruptions.
• Diagnose equipment failures using electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, system documentation, diagnostic instrumentation, software interfaces, and equipment data.
• Troubleshoot electrical power, controls, sensors, motors, pumps, cooling systems, vacuum equipment, interlocks, motion-control systems, communications interfaces, and instrumentation.
• Support the development and execution of equipment startup, shutdown, inspection, calibration, maintenance, and operating procedures.
• Develop and maintain preventative maintenance schedules, equipment maintenance records, inspection requirements, spare-parts inventories, and equipment configuration records.
• Identify critical and long-lead spare components and establish recommended spare-parts inventories for mission-critical systems.
• Interface with equipment manufacturers, vendors, university personnel, and outside technical specialists to resolve equipment issues and implement system upgrades.
• Support installation, commissioning, acceptance testing, and integration of new radiation-effects capabilities and facility equipment.
• Review vendor technical requirements and drawings and ensure appropriate integration of equipment with facility electrical, mechanical, cooling, HVAC, structural, networking, and utility systems.
• Assist in developing equipment requirements, specifications, statements of work, technical evaluations, and procurement documentation for new systems and upgrades.
• Support system verification and validation activities and document objective evidence that equipment and facility systems meet applicable performance requirements.
• Assist test engineers and customers with test configuration, instrumentation setup, cabling, equipment interfaces, data acquisition, and troubleshooting.
• Support development and configuration of beam-delivery and test-support equipment such as collimators, degraders, positioning systems, dosimetry equipment, cameras, sensors, and diagnostic instrumentation.
• Monitor equipment health and performance and recommend upgrades or corrective actions based on reliability, maintainability, obsolescence, and operational data.
• Support configuration management and document changes to hardware, software, firmware, controls, wiring, mechanical systems, and system interfaces.
• Work closely with radiation safety, environmental health and safety, facilities, information technology, cybersecurity, test engineering, and laboratory operations personnel.
• Participate in laboratory readiness activities and maintain equipment in a condition that supports scheduled customer testing.
• Provide technical support during customer test operations and respond to equipment issues that could affect test execution or facility availability.
• Assist with development of long-term maintenance, modernization, and technology-refresh plans for laboratory equipment.
• Support training and qualification of engineers, technicians, students, and other personnel in the proper operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Mentor junior engineers and students and contribute to Auburn University’s research and workforce-development mission.

Qualifications

Must be a U.S. Citizen

Focus of Education: Degree relevant to the position.

Scope of Experience: Experience in various fields of science or engineering, along with research practices and principles. Experience across multiple scientific disciplines, including mathematics, physical sciences, life sciences, computer science, etc.

Level I

• Bachelor’s degree

Level II

• Bachelor’s degree
• 2 years of experience

Level III

• Bachelor’s degree
• 4 years of experience

Level IV

• Bachelor’s degree
• 6 years of experience

Level V

• Bachelor’s degree
• 8 years of experience

Level VI

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10 years of experience

Substitution allowed for Experience: When a candidate has the required education, but lacks the required experience, they may normally apply additional appropriate education towards the experience requirement, at a rate of one (1) year relevant education per year of required experience.

Contract Type

Limited Term

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life‑Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
• Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.