Pulsed Power Operations Engineer

Xcimer Energy•Denver, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Xcimer Energy is seeking a Pulsed Power Operations Engineer to operate, troubleshoot, and maintain the pulsed power components in a state-of-the-art laser system. This role involves learning from subject matter experts, troubleshooting system anomalies, dispositioning non-conformances, and implementing system upgrades. The engineer will author system operating procedures, build operational infrastructure, and become one of the first formally qualified operators for the experimental Phoenix system. Once qualified, they will serve as a Pulsed Power Controller, interacting with the control interface and executing critical procedures with the Shot Director during laser experiment operations. Responsibilities also include hands-on maintenance and upgrade work. The ideal candidate will apply technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and dedication to quality to impact the future of energy.

Requirements

Masters or Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering
Experience working on and operating complex, high risk systems.
Strong understanding of electrical circuit fundamentals, including Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Laws, voltage/current relationships, impedance, power, and energy.
Demonstrated ability to perform DC and AC circuit analysis and analyze series/parallel networks.
Understanding of first- and second-order electrical circuits, including RC, RL, and RLC circuits and their transient response.
Ability to understand and apply the fundamentals of energy storage and energy transfer in capacitors, inductors, and other energy-storage systems.
Highly proficient with oscilloscopes and electrical test equipment, including the ability to properly configure measurements, select appropriate probes, understand bandwidth and sampling considerations, identify measurement artifacts, and interpret waveforms.
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, circuit diagrams, and engineering drawings.
Ability to identify common electrical components, including resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, switches, relays, transformers, connectors, and high-voltage components, and understand their basic functions.
Ability to read and interpret component datasheets and technical specifications, including voltage, current, power, capacitance, inductance, tolerance, insulation ratings, temperature ratings, and other relevant operating limits.
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot electrical systems using a systematic, data-driven approach, including identifying abnormal component behavior and determining likely root causes.
Ability to recognize common indicators of failed, degraded, or improperly operating electrical components through visual inspection, electrical measurements, waveform analysis, and comparison against expected performance.
Understanding of basic electrical safety and high-voltage laboratory practices, including appropriate use of PPE, grounding, discharge procedures, interlocks, and safe work practices around stored electrical energy.
Ability to work effectively with engineers, technicians, scientists, and other laboratory personnel in a hands-on test environment.
Strong technical communication skills, including the ability to document test results, anomalies, troubleshooting activities, and equipment status clearly and accurately.
Ability to work in a fast-paced laboratory environment where equipment configuration, test conditions, and priorities may change rapidly.
Must be willing to work on a set 8-hour shift with set start and stop times.
Must also be willing to work over on non-shift hours during critical times.
Ability to follow optical layouts and drawings and translate them into physical setups.
Basic mobility - (ability to stand for extended periods, ability to lift up to 50 pounds, etc.)
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee of granted asylum.

Nice To Haves

Coursework and/or lab work in pulsed power applications
2+ years of experience in pulsed power or other high voltage test operations
Entry-level engineers and candidates with strong laboratory, test, or hands-on engineering experience are encouraged to apply.
Previous experience working in a laboratory, test, integration, commissioning, manufacturing, or experimental engineering environment.
Experience operating and troubleshooting high-voltage or high-current electrical systems.
Familiarity with pulsed-power systems, pulse-forming networks, Marx generators, capacitor banks, pulse generators, or other high-energy electrical systems.
Pulsed-power experience is desirable but not required.
Experience with high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, differential probes, current probes, Rogowski coils, B-dot/D-dot probes, voltage dividers, or other transient diagnostic equipment.
Experience analyzing fast transient electrical waveforms, including pulse amplitude, rise time, fall time, pulse width, ringing, overshoot, timing, jitter, and waveform-to-waveform variation.
Familiarity with high-voltage insulation, dielectric breakdown, surface tracking, arcing, corona, and electrical discharge phenomena.
Understanding of practical considerations associated with stored electrical energy, including energy calculations, charging systems, discharge paths, parasitic inductance/capacitance, and component stress.
Experience performing component inspection and acceptance testing, including electrical measurements, visual inspection, dimensional inspection, and comparison against specifications or previous baseline data.
Experience developing or following test procedures, operational procedures, checklists, and configuration-control documentation.
Experience participating in root-cause investigations, failure analysis, corrective actions, and equipment maintenance.
Ability to distinguish between instrumentation or measurement problems and actual hardware problems when troubleshooting experimental systems.
Experience working with technicians and contributing to the development of repeatable, reliable, and efficient laboratory operations.
Experience in environments requiring rigorous attention to configuration control, equipment readiness, preventive maintenance, and operational discipline.

Responsibilities

Safely operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and improve high-voltage, high-current pulsed-power systems and experimental hardware.
Perform electrical diagnostics using oscilloscopes, probes, meters, and other test equipment to evaluate system performance and identify faults.
Analyze transient waveforms and test data to identify abnormal behavior, equipment degradation, and potential root causes.
Inspect, test, install, and replace electrical components including capacitors, resistors, inductors, switches, cables, connectors, and other high-voltage hardware.
Support preventive and corrective maintenance, component refurbishment, system commissioning, and equipment readiness activities.
Prepare systems for testing and support pre-shot, post-shot, and troubleshooting activities during experimental campaigns.
Read and interpret schematics, drawings, procedures, component datasheets, and technical documentation.
Develop and maintain operational procedures, checklists, test documentation, and equipment records.
Work closely with engineers, technicians, scientists, and subject matter experts to resolve technical issues and improve system reliability.
Participate in root-cause investigations, failure analysis, and continuous improvement efforts focused on safety, reliability, repeatability, and operational efficiency.
Maintain accurate records of system performance, maintenance activities, failures, and lessons learned.
Develop technical expertise in pulsed-power systems, high-voltage engineering, transient diagnostics, and laboratory operations.
Train and qualify as a Pulsed Power Controller for the Phoenix Laser System.
Serve as a Pulsed Power Controller, executing procedures and working in support of the Shot Director, during laser experiment operations.
Develop procedures and other shot operations infrastructure for the Phoenix pulsed power system.
Perform hands-on integration and maintenance work with the Phoenix team during maintenance and upgrade windows.