Engineered Systems Tec 3/4 - LLRF Team

What You Will Do
The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division (AOT), Radio Frequency Engineering (RFE) group is seeking an Engineered Systems Tec Level 3 or Level 4 for their Low-Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) team.
The AOT division maintains, operates, and upgrades all accelerator systems used at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) complex. These consist of 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 roughly a kilometer of beam transport lines that deliver beam to the five independent research programs.
The RFE group is principally responsible for all radio frequency (RF) systems. The group consists of three teams: (1) Low-Level RF (LLRF) focused on real-time phase and amplitude controls; (2) High-Power RF (HPRF) systems at 201 MHz; and (3) High-Power RF systems at 805 MHz. The Accelerator Operations and Technology - Radio Frequency Engineering (AOT-RFE) Group provides expertise, support, and technical leadership in all aspects of RF engineering including gridded tube amplifiers and klystrons as well as RF control systems and RF accelerator cavities. AOT-RFE's primary focus is the design, and implementation of RF systems for the LANSCE User Facility. This includes participation in current and future projects. AOT's secondary focus is to share its expertise and experience with organizations within the Laboratory as well as external partners and sponsors. Along these lines, AOT-RFE has worked on national accelerator and global security projects utilizing its knowledge base while incorporating cutting edge technology. Additionally, the group fosters and participates in worldwide collaborations, workshops, and conferences in the interest of exploring and pushing the frontiers in RF technology.
This position will be filled at either the Engineered Systems Tec 3 or Engineered Systems Tec 4level, 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.
Engineered Systems Tec 3 ($64,700 - $101,400)
The successful candidate will be offered a position on the AOT-RFE LLRF team and will perform technical installation and/or maintenance functions supporting engineering activities relating to RF controls. The successful applicant will be expected to work closely with engineers and other technicians both within and outside the group to meet both LLRF team and RFE group technical goals and deliverables. Additional specific duties include helping to define technical requirements, working on multiple tasks and projects, building new electronic and RF hardware, repairing, and maintaining existing legacy systems, managing technical interfaces with other LANSCE teams, preparing conduct of engineering documentation, using the accelerator operations maintenance database to track existing system performance, and demonstrating technical excellence and performance to meet system requirements. The successful candidate will also participate in equipment shutdown (in accordance with LOTO policy), identify and replace / repair defective components as well as perform installation of new equipment.
The position involves learning from and demonstrating experience working with technologists and technicians with a wealth of knowledge to share. The EST 3 position requires experience using basic electronic test equipment such as oscilloscopes and voltmeters. The position also requires experience reading and ability to read and understand basic electrical wiring diagrams or schematics, work from documentation, diagrams, rough sketches, layouts, and verbal instructions. Some experience performing installation, maintenance, commissioning, and repairs on electrical/electronic equipment and/or systems is expected. Some level of experience troubleshooting circuits containing multiple integrated or discrete components is needed. The position requires the ability to complete forklift and incidental crane training / certification. The successful candidate will also provide on-call support for the LLRF team after hours and on weekends. The on-call assignment will typically be one week per month during accelerator operations, which spans approximately seven months per year.
Engineered Systems Tec 4 ($71,200 - $112,900)
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level (EST 3), at this level (EST 4), this is what is needed: The successful applicant will be required to understand alternate current (AC) and direct current (DC) systems, the principles of Low-Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) system operation, mechanical construction, wiring and printed circuit board assembly, fast digital logic and electronics troubleshooting. The position also requires demonstrated abilities or experience with writing system and test documentation. The successful applicant's main job will be to learn from our team and assist with day-to-day operations. The successful applicant would be encouraged to pursue further LLRF and electronics training.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
  • Hands-on experience using RF test equipment such as network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and RF power meters.
  • Soldering experience with through-hole and fine-pitch, surface mount components.
  • Experience with configuring, using, or programming and using PLCs and/or process controllers.
  • Experience with particle accelerator operations, maintenance, or operations and maintenance at a similar complex facility.
  • Experience with Conduct of Operations and Conduct of Research principles and procedures.

Additional Requirements:
In addition to the requirements above the following will be required for the Engineered Systems Tec 4:

  • Demonstrated competency using RF test equipment such as network analyzers, spectrum analyzers and RF power meters.
  • Demonstrated soldering experience with through-hole and fine-pitch, surface mount components.
  • Experience with programming and using PLCs and/or process controllers.

Education/Experience for the EST 3 Position: Position requires an associate's degree in a related field and a minimum of 3 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience for the EST 4 Position: Position requires an associate's degree in a related field and a minimum of 5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level, additional training and/or certification may be expected.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Working knowledge and experience with installation, testing, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of Low-Level RF systems.
  • Experience relating to assembly, and testing, of variety of chassis, to include using mechanical and electrical assembly drawings.
  • Experience with installation and instrumenting equipment rack enclosures.
  • Experience relating to fabrication, testing, and installation of low signal loss and high-performance RF coax cables such as LMR series, hardline ("Heliax"), and semi-rigid cables.
  • Experienced with methods of documentation using established databases and will be expected to execute assignments within the scope of established procedures or detailed instructions.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Note to Applicants: For full consideration, please include a detailed cover letter and resume addressing how you meet the requirements and desired qualifications.

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.

Essential 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 Hz), sitting, standing, walking, climbing ladders, climbing several flight of stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, twisting the trunk or back, lifting 50+ pounds, carrying 50+ pounds, use of both hands, use of both arms, reaching overhead, reaching horizontally, reaching down, applying torque with hands or arms.

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.
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. 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 P701 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.