RF Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

11d

About The Position

The Plasma Facing Components & Engineering (PFCE) Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory seeks an RF engineer experienced with high-power RF systems in the 100 kW to 500 kW range. The role supports operations, maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, and develops performance techniques for the Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX), a linear plasma device under construction at ORNL for fusion reactor-relevant material science and plasma-material interaction research. MPEX is designed to deliver steady-state plasmas to plasma-material interaction targets with heat fluxes of 10 MW•m-2 and particle fluences of 1031 m-2 for up to two weeks. Its plasma source and heating systems use 13.56 MHz, 4–9 MHz, and 70 or 105 GHz sources to independently control ion and electron temperatures. The PFCE Division performs experiment-based research and development supporting the U.S. Department of Energy Fusion Energy Sciences Program. The engineer will evaluate and improve RF and microwave delivery systems, develop methods to extinguish RF arc faults while maintaining steady-state plasma operation, and improve RF system reliability and availability. The position works with technicians, craft resources, research scientists, and engineers, participates in MPEX operations, and provides occasional shift support, including call-in and off-normal hours. The role also requires maintaining a safe work environment and complying with ESH&Q procedures and programs. Employment at ORNL requires Real ID-compliant identification and the ability to obtain and maintain a federal PIV credential, which entails passing a Federal Tier 1 background investigation. Applicants who have not resided in the United States for three consecutive years must obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only risk determination until they meet the residency requirement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field with at least 5 years of applicable experience; master’s degree with at least 4 years; or Ph.D. with at least 3 years.
Experience with PathWave, AWR, CST, HFSS, or a similar EDA environment.
Experience with high-power RF systems.
Experience with RF circuit design.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a federal PIV card, including successfully completing a Federal Tier 1 background investigation; applicants without three consecutive years of U.S. residency must obtain a favorable LSSO risk determination until eligible for PIV.

Nice To Haves

Experience in control system theory and techniques.
Experience with klystrons or gyrotrons.
Experience making measurements with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, RF network analyzers, and RF power meters.
Experience troubleshooting complex technical systems that include RF generating equipment, AC/DC power supplies, high-voltage (>10 kV) power supplies, and control systems.

Responsibilities

Evaluate and improve RF and microwave delivery systems in support of MPEX scientific mission goals.
Develop real-time methods to extinguish RF arc faults without disrupting steady-state plasma operations.
Develop maintenance plans to improve the reliability and availability of RF systems.
Provide direction to technicians and craft resources for maintenance activities.
Perform failure analysis of RF systems and propose reliability upgrades.
Create and maintain documentation, including operating procedures for RF equipment and ancillary systems.
Serve as an RF subject matter expert and participate in MPEX operations.
Work with multidisciplinary research scientists and engineers to maintain scientific productivity in fusion energy research.
Provide occasional shift support for MPEX operations, including call-in and off-normal work hours.
Ensure a safe and efficient work environment and compliance with ESH&Q procedures and programs.
Align behaviors, priorities, and interactions with ORNL’s core values and promote a respectful, equal-opportunity workplace.