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 to join the Low-Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) 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, 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 $106,400 - $176,000
The Low-Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) team at LANSCE is looking for a candidate with a background in Electrical Engineering or related field to join the RF Engineering group. This is a support role with dynamic responsibilities, guided by the priorities of the High-Power Radio Frequency (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 coordinating testing, delivery and installation.
The successful candidate will be a member of the Low-Level RF Team and will support the development and implementation of digital control systems using digital signal processing techniques. This work includes the development and design of custom analog, digital and RF printed circuit boards (PCBs), as well as writing HDL or test code in LabVIEW or MATLAB for these systems. Close collaboration and coordination with other engineers and technicians on the LLRF team along with cooperation across other accelerator systems groups (such as software, instrumentation and accelerator physics) is expected.
R&D Engineer 3 $128,000 - $215,900
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level the successful candidate will independently lead the development and execution of low-level RF systems projects. This includes providing technical expertise and guidance on RF controls in support of accelerator projects as well as offering both technical and operational guidance to LLRF technicians and engineers during installation, integration and operation of RF control systems.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
R&D Engineer 2
Proven success in design and development of analog, digital or RF printed circuit boards.
Demonstrated experience with design and application of control theory and digital signal processing.
Demonstrated ability with software development for system operation and testing.
Demonstrated experience applying the full engineering design cycle including requirements gathering, design, implementation, debugging, testing, and documentation.
A record of technical contributions evidenced by reports, publications, patents, or developed products.
Demonstrative leadership for identifying, promoting, and developing new Laboratory-wide technical capabilities.
Actively contributed to organizational planning, goal setting, and strategic direction.
Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 3:
Demonstrated success in design and development of high-speed digital printed circuit boards utilizing FPGAs, DRAM and data converters.
Demonstrated success in the design and development of RF printed circuit boards and systems.
Strong background in HDL design of complex signal processing and/or software radio systems including coding, synthesizing and simulating of RTL implementations in FPGAs.
Extensive experience applying the full engineering design cycle principles, including requirements gathering, design, and implementation, debugging, testing, and documentation.
Demonstrated leadership experience managing technical team of four or more individuals for at least two years.
Acted as a leader in organizational planning, goal setting, and strategic direction.
Successfully defined deliverables and led projects supporting business unit initiatives or the development of new technology product line.
Education/Experience at R&D Engineer 2 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. At this level a master's degree may be preferred.
Education/Experience at R&D Engineer 3 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:
RF Systems design experience.
Analog circuit design experience.
High speed digital design experience.
Real-time system programming experience with VxWorks or RTEMS.
Programming experience in Tcl/Tk, C, C++, Java, Python, LabVIEW and MATLAB
Accelerator systems experience, in particular RF systems and RF control.
Control system design and implementation experience using FPGAs.
High-speed data converter (both analog-digital and digital-analog) design experience.
Experience with all aspects of project management.
Experience in the design and development of software radio systems.
Knowledge of control & data acquisition theory and instrumentation hardware
Signal processing system design using FPGAs.
Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
Physical Job Requirements: Reading Vision, Sitting, Standing, Climbing stairs, Climbing ladders, reaching overhead, reaching horizontally, reaching down, Typing or keyboarding, lifting 30+ pounds, working in widely ranging ambient temperatures, working overtime or irregular schedule, operation of motor vehicles, work in a noisy environment, work near electrical power supplies, work near sources of ionizing radiation, work near sources of non-ionizing radiation, and work near machinery with moving parts. Consideration for the position will be strictly limited to applicants that submit a comprehensive cover letter addressing, bullet by bullet, each of the required and desired skills listed below.
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:
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.
