Job Description
What You Will DoThis 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 (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.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 our 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.Our team's 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.R&D Engineer 2 ($104,100 - $172,200)The selected candidate will: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 ($125,200 - $211,300)In addition to the duties outlined above, the selected candidate will: Leading 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.What You NeedMinimum Job Requirements:Pulsed-Power Systems Demonstrated knowledge of safety issues and hazards associated pulsed-power systems and devices Demonstrated knowledge in the use of interlocks and design features to mitigate risks and hazardsExperience with pulsed-power hardware, diagnostics, and systems.Electrical Engineering KnowledgeAbility to read and understand complex electrical schematicsProficiency in circuit design and modeling, including use of circuit simulation tools such as SPICE.Laboratory & Computational SkillsExperience with data acquisition and analysisKnowledge of and experience with engineering/scientific computational tools such as Python, MATLAB, or IDLCommunication SkillsStrong 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 the R&D Engineer 3 level:In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires: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.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.
Desired Qualifications:Active DOE Q ClearanceAdvanced Pulsed-Power Systems ExperienceExperience designing pulse-forming networks, Blumleins, transmission lines, and switched capacitor banksExperience with high-power switches such as spark gaps, solid-state devices, and thyratronsExperience with linear induction accelerators Knowledge of linear induction accelerator cells, including magnetic circuits and propertiesEssential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): 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, 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.Work Location: The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos, NM.
Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location.
All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.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.