Radiation Effects Engineer

LLNL•Livermore, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We have an opening for a Radiation Effects Engineer to work in the Target Diagnostic Engineering & Science (TDES) Group at the National Ignition Facility. You will support the development and evaluation of target diagnostic hardware and general NIF facility hardware through advanced radiation effects analyses and testing. You will assess radiation-related risks to existing NIF facility and diagnostic hardware, determine whether radiation played a role in system faults or performance changes, and lead radiation mitigation activities at the facility. Your work will involve independent technical leadership, project management, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division of the Engineering Directorate. This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work. This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. In this role, you will Work under limited direction with moderate responsibility, use comprehensive knowledge, and exercise independent judgment to determine methods and recommend improvements within established frameworks and contribute to the fulfillment of project and organizational goals. Perform independent research into radiation effects in electronics and radiation survivability for fusion facilities. Select methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to design and conduct radiation effects tests on electronic components (total dose, prompt dose rate, single event upsets, displacement damage, etc.). Serve as a point of contact for radiation effects in electronics, providing guidance to NIF team leads, system owners, and project engineers. Lead radiation effects test campaigns, including the development of moderately complex to complex electrical and electronics designs, data acquisition, data analysis, and reporting to internal working groups. Use radiation test results from reports and published literature to assess potential risks to existing NIF hardware and support electrical design teams by identifying radiation risks and mitigations. Document test and analysis results to inform future hardware developments and maintain a repository of radiation effects test results and analyses pertaining to NIF equipment. Contribute to the development of process improvements to minimize the impact of damaging radiation effects on NIF operations and help manage activities that protect NIF hardware from radiation environments. Support the Implementation and management of the execution of radiation effect mitigation strategy. Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams and may represent the organization by providing input on technical issues for specific projects. Perform other duties as assigned. Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level Work independently with minimal direction, utilizing advanced knowledge across one or more science or engineering fields within radiation effects. Provide advanced technical knowledge in radiation survivability, including radiation mitigation tactics such as radiation hardening of electronics and radiation shielding. Perform evaluation and selection of complex, often not well-defined instrumentation for NIF systems. Set specific technical strategy and direction for self and others, frequently working as a technical contact on multidisciplinary teams. Lead corrective actions where necessary and devise solutions for unique and complex problems in situations that may not be well defined. Demonstrate the ability and flexibility to reprioritize and change programmatic direction depending on emergent requests in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Contribute to the development of innovative principles and methods in radiation effects engineering. Mentor junior team members and assist in recruiting efforts. Serve on internal technical/advisory committees and may serve on external committees.

Requirements

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Physics, Applied Physics or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Comprehensive experience and ability to perform independent work in radiation effects engineering or similar fields.
Comprehensive knowledge of electrical, optical, x-ray, or nuclear recording techniques and radiation effects in electronics.
Comprehensive knowledge of total ionizing dose, displacement damage dose, or single event effects.
Experience developing and conducting radiation effects tests and using radiation test results to assess hardware designs.
Comprehensive understanding and application of electrical or electronic engineering skills to design, deploy, or troubleshoot moderately complex systems.
Comprehensive knowledge of design and/or analysis of systems that operate in a radiation environment.
Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of neutron radiation damage or other neutron effects.
Comprehensive knowledge of moderately complex electronic and electromechanical components and radiation effects on materials.
Operational experience with test equipment including oscilloscopes, power supplies, delay generators, power meters, and time-domain reflectometers.
Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment, present and explain technical information.
Experience performing systems engineering analysis techniques on real-world problems.
Ability to work in confined or restricted movement areas, climb stairs, stand or walk for long periods of time, and pass NIF Radiological Worker I qualification.
Advanced knowledge and experience in design and/or analysis of systems that operate in a radiation environment.
Advanced knowledge and understanding of neutron radiation damage or other neutron effects, particularly from MeV neutrons.
Advanced knowledge and understanding of complex electronic and electromechanical components and radiation effects on materials.
Experience identifying, defining, and solving multidisciplinary electrical or electronic problems in a timely, cost-effective manner.
Ability to devise solutions for unique and complex problems in situations that may not be well defined.
Ability to lead, manage, and mentor junior team members effectively.
Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information and provide advice to management.
Experience performing in a project leadership role and/or overseeing the activities of other personnel.

Nice To Haves

Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Physics, Applied Physics or a related field.
Familiarity with the use of radiation test facilities (reactors, DT generators, accelerators, high-power/energy laser facilities).
Experience with radiation transport codes such as MCNP, GEANT4, NOVICE, FASTRAD, SRIM, CASINO, etc.
Experience working with radiological materials and associated controls.
Experience working in an environment with stringent safety and security policies.

Responsibilities

Perform independent research into radiation effects in electronics and radiation survivability for fusion facilities.
Select methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to design and conduct radiation effects tests on electronic components (total dose, prompt dose rate, single event upsets, displacement damage, etc.).
Serve as a point of contact for radiation effects in electronics, providing guidance to NIF team leads, system owners, and project engineers.
Lead radiation effects test campaigns, including the development of moderately complex to complex electrical and electronics designs, data acquisition, data analysis, and reporting to internal working groups.
Use radiation test results from reports and published literature to assess potential risks to existing NIF hardware and support electrical design teams by identifying radiation risks and mitigations.
Document test and analysis results to inform future hardware developments and maintain a repository of radiation effects test results and analyses pertaining to NIF equipment.
Contribute to the development of process improvements to minimize the impact of damaging radiation effects on NIF operations and help manage activities that protect NIF hardware from radiation environments.
Support the Implementation and management of the execution of radiation effect mitigation strategy.
Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams and may represent the organization by providing input on technical issues for specific projects.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Provide advanced technical knowledge in radiation survivability, including radiation mitigation tactics such as radiation hardening of electronics and radiation shielding.
Perform evaluation and selection of complex, often not well-defined instrumentation for NIF systems.
Set specific technical strategy and direction for self and others, frequently working as a technical contact on multidisciplinary teams.
Lead corrective actions where necessary and devise solutions for unique and complex problems in situations that may not be well defined.
Demonstrate the ability and flexibility to reprioritize and change programmatic direction depending on emergent requests in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
Contribute to the development of innovative principles and methods in radiation effects engineering.
Mentor junior team members and assist in recruiting efforts.
Serve on internal technical/advisory committees and may serve on external committees.