RF Engineer

Position Description

The NSLS-II RF Group designs, fabricates, operates, and maintains multiple high power Radio Frequency (RF) systems, including 500 MHz and 3 GHz klystrons, inductive output tube (IOT), 300 kW solid-state amplifiers, and switching power supplies. The group also assembles and operates superconducting RF cavities, low-level analog and RF electronics, and a liquid-helium cryogenic plant. This position is responsible for the development and operation of both new and existing RF systems, including superconducting RF cavities, normal-conducting RF cavities, high-power solid-state amplifiers and associated waveguide components and control systems. The successful candidate is expected to learn on the job from multi-disciplinary team, particularly in high-power RF technologies. You will work as a productive and collaborative member of a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technicians through all phases of system design, component selection, prototyping, fabrication, installation, commissioning, operation, and troubleshooting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, commission, operate, and troubleshoot superconducting and normal-conducting RF cavities and associated transmission-line components.
• Perform theoretical analysis and electromagnetic simulation of RF components and systems using tools such as HFSS, CST Studio Suite, PSpice (or commercial equivalent), Superfish, and related codes.
• Assist in the development, commissioning, and operation of high-power RF transmitter systems, including vacuum-tube and solid-state amplifiers.
• Design, procure, and/or develop analog circuits and RF subsystems to meet evolving accelerator requirements.
• Support routine operations, diagnostics, troubleshooting, and repair of RF systems, including limited off-hours support.
• Generate and maintain schematics, and technical documentation.
• Maintain current knowledge of principles, methods, and best practices within the RF and accelerator engineering fields.
• Mentor junior engineering and technical staff.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or Physics with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience.
• Strong theoretical foundation and advanced understanding of electromagnetic field and waves, including but not limited to guided waves and resonant cavities.
• At least five (5) years of combined experience in development and operation of RF systems with a demonstrated record of successful contributions.
• Demonstrated experience with RF simulation tools such as CLANS, SUPERFISH, HFSS, CST Microwave Studio, MAFIA, or Omega3P (include commercial RF design and layout tools).
• Experience using electronic test equipment, including oscilloscopes, network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and related instruments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a diverse technical team environment.
• Availability for limited off-hour on-call support for urgent operational issues (typically < 2%).

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or Physics with a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience.
• Master or Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering or Physics.
• Experience with RF systems and components for particle accelerators.
• Experience in superconducting and normal conducting cavity development, testing, and operation.
• Knowledge of beam-cavity interactions, including beam tracking, particle-in-cell simulations, and multipacting analysis.

Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements:

• Hand / eye coordination
• May be required to walk up to 0.5 mile & climb stairs to access equipment
• May be required to lift 30 lbs.
• May be required to climb ladders for equipment service and inspection
• May be required to occasionally work off-hours, nights and/or weekends to support mission critical projects

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. This is a multi-level role and the full salary range for this position is $113050 - $187000 / year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program