What You Will Do
The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division (AOT), Radio Frequency Engineering (RFE) group is seeking an R&D Engineer at either a Level 2 or Level 3 for their 805 MHz HPRF team.
The AOT division is responsible for maintaining, operating, and upgrading all accelerator systems at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) complex. These systems include two 750-keV Cockcroft-Walton-based injector systems (H+ and H- systems), a 201.25-MHz drift-tube linear accelerator (LINAC) utilizing high-power diacrode tubes, an 805-MHz coupled cavity LINAC utilizing high-power klystrons as the primary power source, a proton storage ring, and approximately one kilometer of beam transport lines that deliver beam to the five independent research programs.
The RFE group oversees all radio frequency (RF) systems and consists of three specialized teams: Low-Level RF (LLRF) focused on real-time phase and amplitude controls; High-Power RF (HPRF) systems at 201 MHz; and High-Power RF systems at 805 MHz. The group provides expertise, support, technical, leadership and engineering support in RF system design, including gridded tube amplifiers, klystrons, RF control systems, and accelerator cavities. While the group's primary focus is the design, and implementation of RF systems for the LANSCE User Facility, it also supports a wide range of internal and external collaborations, sharing expertise with national security projects and international accelerator research communities. RFE team members frequently participate in global partnerships, workshops, and conferences to advance RF technology.
This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or R&D Engineer 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
R&D Engineer 2 $104,100 - $172,200
The High-Power RF (HPRF) team at LANSCE is looking for a candidate with a background in Mechanical Engineering or related field to join the RF Engineering group. This is a support role with dynamic responsibilities, guided by the priorities of the HPRF plant at LANSCE. Duties include troubleshooting programmatic equipment and extending to engineering and supervisory aspects of project execution such as performing initial calculations, developing specifications, submitting procurement orders and coordinate testing and delivery, and installation.
The ideal candidate will have experience in mechanical design and software such as SolidWorks. A practical fabrication and/or machining is highly desirable. Strong skills in computational analysis, particularly structural and thermal analysis, are important, with CFD experience considered a plus. Proficiency in CAD design and layout is also strongly desired. Experience developing production systems in an industrial environment, including system design, installation, troubleshooting, and commissioning, is preferred. As a member of the AOT-RFE high-power RF Engineering team, you will be working closely with other engineers and technicians and will be responsible for the operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of the LANSCE 805 MHz high power RF systems. These systems include klystron and vacuum tube/solid-state power modulators, along with associated electronics, interlocks, protection circuits, and high-voltage power supplies (up to 90 kV, 2340 kW), as well as power electronics. The role also includes participating in an on-call rotation to support the high-power RF amplifier systems after hours and on weekends. This on-call assignment typically occurs one week out of every six during the approximately seven-month annual operating period of the accelerator.
R&D Engineer 3 $125,200 - $211,300
In addition to what is outlined for R&D Engineer 2, this level includes leading and contributing to the planning and implementation of future RF system upgrades as part of a larger team engineering team. This involves an evaluation of two existing modulator designs and design improvements to enable higher power operation. Following successful testing and demonstration on dedicated test stands, the upgraded systems will replace the current high-voltage and klystron amplifiers across a significant portion of the LANSCE linear accelerator. The work also includes analyzing RF system data to guide design decisions for enhancements for improving reliability and performance.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Demonstrated leadership in engineering efforts in the design, fabrication, assembly, and testing of complex scientific instrumentation.
Experience in engineering calculations, numerical analysis, materials evaluation and applied design rules, to the fabrication and testing of new devices.
Experience in vibration and thermal isolation and optical components.
Experience with multiple fabrication techniques and design tools for producing complex components and systems.
Experience in preparing detailed mechanical drawings.
Demonstrated ability with CAD tools.
Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative work environment.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team.
Advance verbal and written communication skills necessary to collaborate in a team environment
Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 3:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
Advanced experience leading mechanical engineering efforts for new initiatives, delivering complex scientific instrumentation, experiment diagnostics, and systems.
Demonstrated leadership overseeing the mechanical integration and testing of systems and devices, in collaboration with staff scientists, fabrication facilities and technicians.
Demonstrated success of managing the execution and delivery of technical work with defined scope, ensuring projects are completed on time within budget and to a high standard of quality and assurance using engineering processes. Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Education/Experience at the higher level: Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 6 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience with high-voltage DC and pulsed-power systems.
Experience with computer-based circuit layout simulation (PSpice, Multisim, LTSPice, etc.)
Experience with NI LabView and LabView/FPGA programming.
Experience with matrix algebra and block diagram simulation software (Matlab/Simulink, Scilab/Xcos, etc.).
Operations experience at an accelerator facility.
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Ability to speak, Ability to discriminate speech, Ability to hear in a normal range (20 Hz to about 20 KHz), Sitting, Standing, Walking, Climbing Ladders, Bending, Stooping, Crouching, Kneeling, Twisting the trunk or back, Lifting 30+ pounds, Carrying 30+ pounds, Use of both hands, Use of both arms, Reaching overhead, Reaching horizontally, Reaching down, Applying torque with hands or arms.
Work Environment:
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.
Position commitment: 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.
Note to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants MUST submit a comprehensive cover letter that addresses, bullet by bullet, how the applicant's education and experience relate to the lists of skill requirements above.
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.
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 (https://directives.nnsa.doe.gov/supplemental-directive/sd-0206-0002) . 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.
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 Policy P701 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) 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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.
