Engineered Systems Tec 4/5 - 805 MHz HPRF Team

What You Will Do
The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division (AOT), Radio Frequency Engineering (RFE) group is seeking an Engineered Systems Tec level 4 or level 5 for the High Power RF (HPRF) 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.
This position will be filled at either the Engineered Systems Tec 4 or Engineered Systems Tec 5 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.
Engineered Systems Tec 4 ($71,200 - $112,900)
The successful candidate, working closely with other engineers, technologists and technicians, will contribute to the operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of the LANSCE 201.25-MHz and 805-MHz high-power RF (HPRF) systems, including high-voltage power supplies and associated electronics, and high-power RF test stand development and operation.
The position will also involve working with High Voltage and RF engineers to plan and implement RF system upgrades, e.g., new klystron amplifiers and the newest solid-state high-voltage pulsed power systems. The position will involve prototype testing, data collection and analysis for design refinement of klystrons and modulators.
The successful candidate will also provide on-call support for the LANSCE high power RF systems after hours and on weekends. The on-call assignment will typically be for one week per month during accelerator operations (approximately 7 months per year).
Additionally, the position at this level contributes to and is responsible for planning, managing and analyzing RF system data to inform design enhancements for improving performance and reliability; planning, designing, implementing, and contribute to RF system upgrade projects, e.g. high-voltage converter modulator power systems and klystron modulator monitoring and control systems.
The successful candidate will also provide power electronics expertise to all segments of the group, particularly in the areas related to vacuum tube amplifiers and the equipment required to operate them.
Engineered Systems Tec 5 ($85,900 - $139,900)
In addition to what was outlined at the lower Engineered Systems Tec 4 level, the position at this level will be responsible for working with senior RF Technicians, Technologists and Engineers in the specification development and procurement of new klystron amplifiers and the newest solid-state high-voltage pulsed power systems. The applicant will be responsible for working on the installation of a new High-Power RF test stand at LANSCE.


What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Engineered Systems Tec 4

  • Demonstrated technical leadership that supports competency in microwave engineering such as high-voltage and pulsed-power engineering, RF power amplifiers, DC and pulsed-power systems, microwave and RF components, or RF transport systems.
  • Demonstrated experience in electrical, electronics, and mechanical skills in an industrial or laboratory setting.
  • Demonstrated experience with the ability to read and understand schematics, work from documentation, diagrams, rough sketches, layouts, plans and written or verbal instructions.
  • Demonstrated experience and ability to create electrical and electronic schematics using CAD.
  • Demonstrated experience in effectively producing written documents and successful oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrated record of working with others in the design, development, testing and installation of high-power RF vacuum tube-based amplifier systems and high-voltage systems.
  • Demonstrated technical skill in developing advanced concepts for high-power RF vacuum tube-based amplifier systems and high-voltage systems.
  • Demonstrated record of implementing engineering design in accordance with best practices and/or conduct on engineering principles.
  • Demonstrated skills in applying best practices and system engineering processes to requirement's definition and translating those requirements into designs that meet customer expectations.

Engineered Systems Tec 5
In addition to what was outlined at the lower Engineered Systems Tec 4 level, the position at this level will be responsible for working with senior RF Technicians, Technologists and Engineers in the specification development and procurement of new klystron amplifiers and the newest solid-state high-voltage pulsed power systems. The applicant will be responsible for working on the installation of a new High-Power RF test stand at LANSCE.

Additional Job Requirements for Engineered Systems Tec 5:

  • Advanced demonstrated record of leading the design, development, testing and installation of high-power RF vacuum tube-based amplifier systems and high-voltage systems.
  • Advanced demonstrated technical leadership in developing advanced concepts for high-power RF vacuum tube-based amplifier systems and high-voltage systems.
  • Advance demonstrated record of leading engineering design in accordance with best practices and/or conduct on engineering principles.

Education/Experience at Level 4: 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.

Education/Experience at Level 5: Position requires an associate's degree in a related field and 7 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:

  • Demonstrated record of contributions to the design, development, testing, and installation of high-power RF vacuum tube-based amplifier systems, high-voltage or pulsed power systems.
  • Demonstrated experience working as part of a team to develop RF amplifier and/or high-voltage systems.
  • Demonstrated recent and successful hands-on experience assembling, installing, testing and troubleshooting of high-power RF or pulsed power systems.
  • Experience with high-voltage DC and pulsed-power systems.
  • Experience with computer-based circuit layout and simulation (PSPICE, Multisim, LTSPICE, etc.)
  • Operations experience at an accelerator facility.

Note to Applicants: To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter addressing: 1) each of the Minimum Job Requirements and the Education/Experience requirements at the applicable level or levels; and 2) the Desired Qualifications and Skills.

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 (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 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.