Job Information
Los Alamos National Laboratory Pulsed Power Scientist (Scientist 2) in Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division (AOT), Radio Frequency Engineering (RFE) group is seeking a Scientist.
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 utilizing high-power diacrode tubes, an 805-MHz coupled cavity linac utilizing klystrons as the primary power source, a proton storage ring, and roughly a kilometer of beam transport lines that feed beam to the five independent research programs. The RFE group is principally responsible for all RF systems, pulsed power systems, and high-power DC power supplies used to operate magnets on the beam transport lines. Low-level RF (LLRF) control and monitoring of the various RF sources used to drive the beam is critical to the high performance and successful operation of the accelerator.
As a member of the AOT-RFE, DC & Pulsed Power Engineering team, the successful candidate, working closely with other engineers, technologists and technicians, will contribute to the operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of the LANSCE Injector, DC magnet power supplies (Sorensen, Magna-Power, DBx modules, Alpha, California Instruments) and pulsed power systems, including high-voltage power supplies and associated electronics, high-voltage/high-current power supplies and associated electronics, and fast rise-time beam-kicker systems.
The position will also involve working under the direction of senior engineers to plan and implement pulsed power systems, DC magnet power supplies, magnet mapping and injector systems upgrades, e.g., Blumlein modulators, power electronic systems, and associated high-voltage pulsed power systems, Cockcroft Walton-based injector systems, analysis and control systems, extractor, deflector, chopper, bouncer and 40kv systems and high-current DC power supplies.
The successful candidate will also provide on-call support for the LANSCE DC & Pulsed Power team after hours and on weekends. The on-call assignment will typically be one week per month during accelerator operations, which spans about seven months per year.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Demonstrated ability to read and understand schematics.
Demonstrated training in engineering fields that support competency in engineering such as high-voltage and pulsed-power engineering, and DC magnet power supplies.
Demonstrated experience in effectively producing written documents and successful oral communication skills.
Demonstrated experience working as part of a team on highly technical projects safely in a laboratory setting.
Experience with design of experimental apparatus.
Experience with fabrication, calibration, and operation of experimental apparatus.
Experience with time-resolved diagnostics, data collection, and data analysis.
Demonstrated experience working as part of a team of people from different disciplines to better understand a scientific or engineering challenge.
Education/Experience: Position requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a STEM field from an accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience with high-voltage DC and pulsed-power systems.
Experience with computer-based circuit layout simulation (PSpice, Multisim, LTSPice, etc.)
Experience with NI LabView and LabView/FPGA programming.
Experience with matrix algebra and block diagram simulation software (Matlab/Simulink, Scilab/Xcos, etc.).
Operations experience at an accelerator facility such as LANSCE.
Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Ability to speak, ability to hear in a normal range, standing, walking, reaching overhead, reaching horizontally, reaching down, gripping with hands, typing, or keyboarding.
Note to Applicants: 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.
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.
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 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 and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, 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 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 1-505-665-4444 option 1.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.