RESEARCH ANALYST - RESEARCH ENGINEER - SR. RESEARCH ENGINEER - Spaceflight Laser Mass Spectrosc[...]

Southwest Research Institute; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Research Analyst to lead the development of innovative laser-based instrumentation for spaceflight missions. This role involves designing and optimizing experimental systems for geochronology, working closely with a multidisciplinary team in a state-of-the-art laboratory. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with pulsed lasers and mass spectrometry, contributing to groundbreaking research that pushes the boundaries of space exploration. Join a dynamic team dedicated to unveiling the mysteries of our solar system and beyond, while enjoying a collaborative and innovative work environment.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in experimental laser laboratory environments.
• Experience with nanosecond and ultrafast pulsed lasers.

Responsibilities

• Design and build laser-based instrumentation for geochronology.
• Manage operations of a scientific laboratory with advanced laser systems.

Skills

Experimental Laser Work

Mass Spectrometry

Optomechanical Systems Design

Data Acquisition Systems

Beam Alignment

Pulse Characterization

Education

Masters or PhD in AMO Physics

Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering

Masters or PhD in Optical Engineering

Tools

LabView

High-Resolution Mass Spectrometers

Pulsed Lasers

Optical Laboratory Equipment

Job description

RESEARCH ANALYST - RESEARCH ENGINEER - SR. RESEARCH ENGINEER - Spaceflight Laser Mass Spectroscopy - Boulder, CO

19-00176

Who We Are:

As a recognized leader in space science research and spacecraft instrumentation, avionics, and electronics, we work to reveal the secrets of our solar system and the universe.

Objectives of this Role:

• This position will lead the research and development of experimental, laser-based, spaceflight instrumentation enabling in-situ geochronology investigations across the Solar System.
• Work in multidisciplinary laboratory environment to design, build, and optimize novel spacecraft instrumentation for scientific missions to the moon and beyond.
• Spearhead the design, development, and hands-on fabrication, assembly, integration, and test of laser and mass spectrometry sub-systems from concept to flight instrument delivery.
• Collaborate with senior R&D personnel in cutting edge research involving pulsed lasers, mass spectrometry and high-speed data acquisition systems.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Work with scientific personnel to design, build, and test laser-based instrumentation capable of in-situ isotopic geochronology.
• Manage the daily operations of a state-of-the-art scientific laboratory containing Class IIIb/Class IV pulsed and CW lasers, ultra-high vacuum systems, high-resolution mass spectrometers, pressurized gases, cryogens and high-voltage systems.
• Lead the design, fabrication and performance validation of various optomechanical and photonic systems. Direct interfacing with external vendors to procure instrumentation hardware, system sub-components and laboratory test equipment.
• Typical duties will involve the formulation and implementation of approaches to solving a wide array of experimental flight hardware problems – focused on the design, assembly and control of mechanical and electrical systems for data collection.
• Experimental data collection in an optical laboratory environment. LabView data acquisition and control system development.

Requirements:

• Requires a Masters or a PhD in AMO Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a related Engineering field.
• 4+ years: Demonstrated experimental work in a research or industrial laser laboratory environment.
• 4+ years: Experience working with nanosecond and/or ultrafast pulsed lasers. Must have comprehensive hands-on experience with oscillator and amplifier beam alignment, pulse characterization, and parametric tuning.
• 3-5 years: Experience in designing and building experimental test bed setups incorporating but not limited to: narrow linewidth tunable and pulsed lasers, electro-optic elements, acousto-optic elements, beam shaping optics, and/or fiber optics.
• 2 years: Experience in high-speed RF/TTL pulse synthesis, clock synchronization, and jitter control.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements:

Work assignment is in Boulder, Colorado. Must be a U.S. person (i.e., U.S. citizen, non-U.S. citizen national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee) due to ITAR work in section.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here .
For benefits information at all other locations, click here .

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.