Pulsed Power Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3)
This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
About the Role
The Integrated Weapons Experiments (J) Division, Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) Engineering, Operations, and Physics (J-6) Group is seeking a Pulsed Power Engineer to join the Pulsed Power Team. J-6 delivers state-of-the-art accelerator, pulsed-power, beam-target, and radiographic physics capabilities in support of the Laboratory's hydrodynamic test mission. Core responsibilities include:
- Troubleshooting, maintaining, and upgrading the Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) accelerator pulsed-power systems.
- Designing, modeling, developing, and implementing new pulsed-power sources and systems for accelerator applications.
Responsibilities
R&D Engineer 2 ($106,400-$176,000)
- Design, model, and develop new or improved pulsed-power sources, loads, diagnostics, and systems for DARHT and other accelerators.
- Operate, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain pulsed-power systems, including Marx generators, Pulse Forming Networks (PFNs), Pulse Forming Lines (PFLs), Inductive Voltage Adders (IVAs), and solid-state pulsed-power systems.
- Provide technical input and analysis on pulsed-power systems for DARHT and other accelerator applications.
- Guide technicians in fabrication and troubleshooting activities.
- Produce technical reports, documentation, and presentations.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary staff to ensure reliable performance of DARHT systems.
R&D Engineer 3 ($128,000-$215,900)
In addition to the duties outlined above, the selected candidate will:
- Lead design upgrades to existing pulsed-power systems and diagnostics to enhance capability and reliability.
- Direct troubleshooting, fabrication, and upgrade activities for DARHT and other accelerator systems.
- Simulate and test pulsed-power systems for electrical performance and long-term reliability.
- Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) on DARHT accelerator pulsed-power systems.
Requirements
Minimum Job Requirements
Pulsed-Power Systems- Demonstrated knowledge of safety issues and hazards associated with pulsed-power systems and devices.
- Demonstrated knowledge in the use of interlocks and design features to mitigate risks and hazards.
- Experience with pulsed-power hardware, diagnostics, and systems.
- Ability to read and understand complex electrical schematics.
- Proficiency in circuit design and modeling, including use of circuit simulation tools such as SPICE.
- Experience with data acquisition and analysis.
- Knowledge of and experience with engineering/scientific computational tools such as Python, MATLAB, or IDL.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams.
- Proven decision-making and creative problem-solving skills.
- Ability to obtain a DOE Q Clearance.
- Usually requires U.S. citizenship.
Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 3
- Extensive experience in pulsed-power design, implementation, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
- Expertise in electromagnetic finite-element modeling and analysis using tools such as ANSYS Maxwell, HFSS, COMSOL, CST, or Flux.
- Experience leading and mentoring technical staff and successfully managing technical projects or teams.
Qualifications
Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 2
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 for R&D Engineer 3
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.
Skills
Desired Qualifications
- Active DOE Q Clearance.
- Advanced Pulsed-Power Systems Experience.
- Experience designing pulse-forming networks, Blumleins, transmission lines, and switched capacitor banks.
- Experience with high-power switches such as spark gaps, solid-state devices, and thyratrons.
- Experience with linear induction accelerators.
- Knowledge of linear induction accelerator cells, including magnetic circuits and properties.
Essential Job Functions
- Ability to speak.
- Ability to discriminate speech.
- Ability to hear in a normal range (500 to 3000 htz).
- Sitting, standing, walking.
- Typing or keyboarding.
- Lifting 5-10 pounds.
- Carrying 5-10 pounds.
Work Environment
- Outdoors.
- In confined space, heights, underground.
- Working alone.
- Working overtime or irregular schedule.
- Domestic/foreign travel.
- Operation of motor vehicles.
- Work with weapons or explosives.
- Work with vibrating equipment/machinery.
- Work near machinery with moving parts.
- Work with toxic chemicals, irritant chemicals, dusts or powders, sprays, mists, or vapors, fumes, carcinogens.
- Hearing protection, gloves or hand protection, safety shoes or protective foot-gear, headgear or head protection, safety glasses or eye protection, face shield or facial protection, mask or respirator.
Schedule
The work location for this position is hybrid and located in Los Alamos, NM. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. Position commitment is 1 year.
Benefits
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network.
- Dental and vision insurance.
- Free basic life and disability insurance.
- Paid maternity and parental leave.
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually).
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance.
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO).
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs.
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius).