Senior Pulsed Power Engineer

Requisition Id 11530 

Overview:  

We are seeking an experienced Pulsed Power Engineer who will support the Electrical Power Conversion Group in the Research Accelerator Division (RAD), Neutron Sciences Directorate (NScD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

As a senior Pulsed Power Engineer, you will be responsible for supporting operation, maintenance, repairs, and upgrades of High Voltage Converter Modulator Systems, Magnet Power Supplies, Accelerator Beam Kickers, and High Voltage Beam Chopper systems in the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) accelerator complex. This role entails tasks such as project and work planning; specification and procedure writing; system design (including validation testing); as well as equipment troubleshooting and repair. You will report to the Electrical Power Conversion Group Leader and collaborate with the Electrical Power Conversion Group members, ORNL and SNS staff, professional peers, and collaborators from non-ORNL institutions, ORNL business services, vendors, and visitors.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Evaluate existing High Voltage Converter Modulators, magnet power supplies, kicker, and chopper systems to enhance performance, address limitations, improve availability and resolve obsolescence issues.
• Plan and supervise major technical projects, including specifying, developing, and procuring systems and components.
• Strategize, manage, and implement maintenance and upgrade work, using work control tools for efficient planning and execution.
• Develop documentation and procedures for design, installation, training, testing, maintenance, and procurement.
• Provide accelerator operations support for the SNS facilities operating around the clock, including occasional after hours call-in to achieve neutron production with at least 90% availability.
• Present your work at conferences, workshops, collaboration meetings and sponsor reviews.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
• Lead staff members to develop proposals to perform research on innovative accelerator electrical applications.
• Acquire new skills and provide training to others.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field with at least 12 proven years of experience (a master's degree in related field with a minimum of 10 years of experience or a PhD with a minimum of 7 years of experience will also be considered).
• Solid understanding of analog and digital circuits and electric circuit theory.
• Experience planning and managing technical projects.
• Experience designing and maintaining high power electronics and magnetics; and working with electrical safety principles in a setting that includes severe electrical hazards.
• Comprehensive knowledge of power electronics, electromagnetic fields, very high-power semiconductor devices and pulsed power systems exceeding 10 kV.
• Expertise in troubleshooting electronic systems and use of standard laboratory test equipment.
• Experience creating engineering drawings, specifications, procedures, reports, statements of work, journal and conference papers, and plans.
• Experience with circuit simulation, mechanical CAD and printed circuit board design software and tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of AC power distribution concepts to medium voltage levels.
• Working knowledge of the National Electric Code, NFPA-70E and NFPA-70B.
• Knowledge of Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) and methods to effectively implement.
• Experience with finite element electromagnetic analysis software.
• Experience programming FPGAs, PLCs and using LabView software.
• Operational experience with a large accelerator facility.
• Ability to guide work of a team of engineers and technicians in a project environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks on time and adapt to evolving needs

About Neutron Sciences Directorate:

The Neutron Sciences Directorate (NScD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) operates the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), the United States’ highest flux reactor-based neutron source, and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), the world’s most intense pulsed accelerator-based neutron source.  Together these facilities operate 30 instruments for neutron scattering research, each year carrying out in excess of 1,000 experiments in the physical, chemical, materials, biological and medical sciences for more than 3,000 visiting scientists.  HFIR also provides unique facilities for isotope production and neutron irradiation.  To learn more about Neutron Sciences at ORNL go to http://neutrons.ornl.gov.

Benefits at ORNL:  

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain hardworking people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov or call 1.866.963.9545.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.