Engineered Systems Tec 5

What You Will Do

The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division (AOT), Radio Frequency Engineering (RFE) group is seeking an Engineering System Tec 5 for the High Powered Radio Frequency (HPRF) 201 MHz 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, all pulsed-power systems, and all high-power DC power supplies used to operate magnets on the beam transport lines.

AOT-RFE owns, maintains, and upgrades electronic and RF equipment of various types. This position requires the willingness to learn the operation of complex electronic and mechanical systems, that provide rewarding design opportunities. A "tinkerer" and/or questioning mentality is the main requirement to thrive in this position.

The successful candidate will also provide on-call support for the 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.

Engineered Systems Tec 5

The position involves learning from experienced technologists with a wealth of knowledge to share. The successful applicant will be required to obtain an understanding of alternate current (AC) and direct current (DC) systems, the principles of radio-frequency amplifier operation, mechanical construction, wiring and printed circuit board assembly, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), fast digital logic and electronics troubleshooting. Assisting with documentation of system operation, tests and writing documentation will also be expected. 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 electronics training.

This appointment involves performing maintenance, installation and repair on the HPRF equipment. It also requires writing technical documents and the ability to use lab equipment to perform tests and basic research. The successful applicant would be assisting and occasionally leading maintenance efforts and collaborating with technologists with the design and implementation of upgrades. The successful applicant would be encouraged to pursue further electronics training.

An Engineered Systems Tec 5 will be expected to complete electronics designs from good documentation and appropriate guidance, propose ideas for safer and more sustainable practices and read complex schematics and mechanical designs. This post also involves detailed documentation of procedures and of tests results as well as learning of a CAD software, PLC programming software and/or digital electronics.

This assignment involves being able to complete electronics designs with little guidance, perform troubleshooting and testing with little to no supervision, make recommendations to upgrade engineering designs and mentor junior personnel.

As a member of the AOT-RFE high power radio frequency 201 MHz team, the successful candidate will work with RF engineers and technologists in all phases of the development, design, construction, troubleshooting, maintenance and operation of high-power RF amplifier systems for linear accelerators. This includes high-power klystron and gridded-tube amplifiers, protection and control circuitry, high-voltage gridded-tube modulators, high-voltage power supplies and capacitor banks, interlock and fault protection systems, and waveguide/coax components.

The successful candidate will

• Support engineering activities, including installs, tests, repairs, and maintenance of systems and equipment.

• Specific duties will include testing, inspecting, and monitoring system and equipment for reliable safe operation.

• Provide scheduled or immediate maintenance and/or repair, troubleshooting malfunctions, and coordinating this work in scheduled shutdowns.

• The successful candidate will also serve as a member of the 'on-call' team. This paid 'on call' assignment will typically be for one week per month while the accelerator is in operation - approximately 7- 9 months per year.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Experience with the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, test and repair of high power klystron or gridded tube RF systems.

• Significant experience in maintenance and troubleshooting of electronics systems (identification of problem components and complex fixes), extensive experience using electronic and RF test equipment.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to read schematics and to work from documentation, written or verbal instructions, rough sketches, diagrams, layouts, and plans.

• Record of application of engineering principles in the design of electronic circuits, as well as the implementation and final testing.

• Professional application of a specific technical computer program for the design, assembly, simulation or programming of electronics.

Education/Experience Engineered Systems Tec 5: Position require an associate's degree in a related field and a minimum of 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:

• Experience performing complex installation, maintenance, and repairs on equipment and systems applying a variety of methods, procedures, and techniques to install, tune, repair, overhaul, and maintain various types of RF equipment and systems.

• Demonstrated ability to perform independent diagnosis of failures or malfunctions that occur from complex interrelationships among components, replace defective components, and perform troubleshooting on complex problems using a variety of equipment, detailed drawings, diagrams, sketches, specifications, prints, manuals, and verbal and/or written instructions.

• Professional experience in broadcast transmission, satellite uplinks, or military radar.

• Experience in radio frequency systems.

• Experience in vacuum tube high power systems.

• Experience in high voltage alternate current (AC) and direct current (DC) systems.

• Experience with evaluation of electrical safety hazards.

• Experience with vacuum tube high power RF amplifiers.

• Experience with digital and analog electronics.

• Experience writing operational and safety procedures.

• Experience operating cranes, forklifts and other lifting devices

• Operations experience at an accelerator facility.

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. Exceptions to these will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

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 the pertinent 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 (~~~) 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 ~~~ or call ~~~ option 1.