RF Electronics Engineer

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Engineering Division has an opening for a RF Electronics Engineer to join the team.

In this exciting role, you will support the Advanced Light Source (ALS) accelerator complex, in a variety of engineering tasks to include: developmental work, characterization measurements, and design and development of subsystems. Additionally, you will conduct repairs in support of the Radio Frequency (RF) systems currently installed and perform reconfiguration and design work of planned system upgrades. This involves design using ECAD tools and evaluation of designs using circuit simulation, work on high voltage and high RF power pulsed megawatt klystrons and tens to hundred kilowatt class CW tetrodes, inductive output tubes (IOT), klystrons and solid state amplifiers in the several hundred megahertz to multiple gigahertz frequency range.

What You Will Do:

• Support the ALS RF systems. Support requires the upgrade, repair and maintenance of following systems:

• Electron Gun System, a thermionic gun that is pulsed at 125 MHz and operates at an accelerating potential of 120 kV DC

• Sub-Harmonic Buncher amplifier systems operating at 125 & 500 MHz in pulse mode at 20 kW

• 24 MW pulsed S-Band Pulsed Modulators delivering power to the 3 GHz Linac accelerating structures

• 80 kW CW, 500 MHz IOT based Booster Ring RF amplifier system

• 65 kW CW, 500 MHz Klystron based Cavity Teststand amplifier system

• 300 kW CW, 500 MHz Klystron based Storage Ring RF system

• Solid-state RF amplifiers at 125 MHz, 500 MHz & 3 GHz

• HVDC Power Supply systems with 208 VAC, 480 VAC and 4160 VAC input, up to 56 kV DC output and 800 kW average power

• Hi-speed amplifier protection systems; Thyratron crowbar and Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) disconnect switch

• Normal conducting, Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) high-Q resonant RF cavities at 125, 500 MHz & 1.5 & 3.0 GHz

• Coaxial, WR-284, WR-650 and WR-1800 waveguide RF transmission line systems

• Higher Order Mode (HOM) Damping systems

• Temperature Controlled water cooling systems

• Multi-megahertz pulsed Cam-Shaft beam kicker system

• Document ongoing and completed work and present it at conferences and workshops. Publish in relevant journals.

• Adhere to the Berkeley Lab’s EH&S policies and maintain all required related training up to date. 

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Help coordinate electronic and mechanical resources needed to complete a task or project.

• Improve documentation, baseline data and operating and maintenance procedures.

• Provide guidance to technical staff.

• Serve as a resource to other RF related projects at LBNL.

What is Required:

• Minimum of 3 years of related engineering experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 2 years related experience and a Master’s degree; or equivalent work experience.

• Demonstrated relevant knowledge of electronics engineering concepts, theories, practices, and tools.

• Have technical knowledge in high power electronics and/or RF systems:

• High power Klystrons

• HVDC Power Supplies

• Experience with E-CAD tools: schematic capture, layout, simulation, and design for manufacture.

• The ability to independently resolve most RF system design and operation issues with a moderate amount of direction and assistance.  

• Demonstrate knowledge and experience with RF and microwave electronic instrumentation such as vector network analyzers, spectrum/signal analyzers, signal generators, high speed oscilloscopes and RF power meters.

• The ability to interact effectively with experts in multiple disciplines, including machine control software engineering, mechanical engineering, physics and operations

• Will be required to wear a dosimeter when working in the ALS accelerator area during klystron and IOT operations as they are radiation generating devices.

Desired Qualifications:

• PhD or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field. 

• 3 years of experience working in a research and development environment.

• Have working knowledge of accelerating structures and UHV materials and assembly techniques.

• Experience with a finite element method simulation solver for electromagnetic structures such as Ansys HFSS or CST Studio Suite as well as analog and RF circuit simulation tools such as PSPICE and Keysight ADS.

Salary:

The full salary range of this position is between $7,845.00 to $13,241.00 per month and is expected to pay between a targeted range of $8,826.00 to $10,788.00 per month depending upon the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities, including education, certifications, and years of experience.

Notes:

• This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.

• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.

• Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links: Know your rights, click here for the supplement: Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4.