RF Engineering Manager

The National Synchrotron Light Source is a state-of-the-art, medium-energy (3-billion-electron-volt, or GeV) electron storage ring that produces x-rays up to 10,000 times brighter than the NSLS. The mission of the National Synchrotron Light Source is to provide extremely bright x-rays for basic and applied research in biology and medicine, materials and chemical sciences, geosciences and environmental sciences, and nanoscience. To support this program, the NSLS-II must design, fabricate, assemble, test, install, and operate unique research equipment to generate, transport, transfer, accelerate and focus electron and X-ray beams. This includes a combination of custom designed and built parts and vendor produced components developed by a collaboration of the NSLS-II scientific, engineering, and technical staff. The NSLS-II supports an international user community of over 2,200 researchers from 400 universities. The NSLS-II performs all these functions in an environmentally responsible and safe manner, under a rigorous conduct of operations approach.

Position Description

NSLS-II is seeking an RF engineering manager with project management and supervisory experience for the Group Leader position for the Radio Frequency (RF) Group. The RF group manages the operation of, and the design and upgrade to the NSLS-II RF systems which include high power and high voltage systems to high-speed analog and digital electronics, Programable Logic Controllers, copper and superconducting cavities and a 900 W helium refrigerator.

Reporting to the NSLS-II Accelerator Division Director, the candidate will oversee 1) professionals with physics, RF, electrical and mechanical engineering backgrounds and 2) technicians with broad expertise in high power RF, low level analog and digital board design, PLC programing, SRF cavity assembly and helium cryogenics.

The NSLS-II RF Group is responsible for a diverse range of systems including an electron gun, S-band linac, ramping booster RF system, three storage ring systems comprised of a mix of klystron and solid state transmitters driving superconducting cavities. The group also manages the helium refrigerator and its ancillary systems. All of these systems include FPGA-based digital RF controllers and/or Programable Logic Controllers for feedback loops and housekeeping controls. The RF group is currently designing the upgrade to the FPGA based digital RF control system and a new superconducting cavity for bunch lengthening.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Report to NSLS-II Accelerator Director for assignments, guidance, and support of operations and special projects.

• Working with RF group system experts, oversee the operation of all RF systems, including:

  • Linac with three 40 MW short pulse klystrons.

  • 80 kW IOT transmitter and 7 cell copper cavity for ramping booster.

  • 310 kW klystron (2) and Solid State (1) transmitters for Storage Ring.

  • Three superconducting RF cavities.

  • High speed analog and digital RF controls.

  • Helium refrigerator/Liquefier.

• Work closely with the RF engineering system leads and technician supervisor to manage and oversee individual engineering projects, set priorities, and develop detailed project and procurement plans.

• Provide input to the NSLS-II upgrade project including:

  • Coordinate and facilitate recurring meetings and design reviews.

  • Support other project level managers with project activities including but not limited to budgeting exercises and scheduling.

  • Translate complex technical discussions into executive level summaries for leadership consumption.

  • Assess risk and mitigation strategies.

• Prepare and deliver engineering design presentations for BNL and Department of Energy reviews as well as advise and oversee the development and execution of reviews by the RF engineering staff.

• Perform cost and schedule evaluations for upgrade projects.

• Assign and supervise the work of group members and ensure that they have the necessary qualifications, skills, experience and resources to deliver the RF scope and carry out all work safely and professionally.

• Build and maintain a diverse and inclusive workforce in a professional, productive, respectful work environment. Supervise, guide, and develop staff with high standards for quality of work and to meet anticipated workload requirements.

• Maintain an environment conducive to openness, collaboration, and respect for all.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree (master's degree preferred) in electrical engineering, physics or closely related field of study, plus a minimum of fifteen (15) years of relevant technical work experience, including demonstrated outstanding abilities in engineering leadership required. At least 5 years' experience leading and/or managing personnel or projects, and a demonstrated record of successes with progressively increasing responsibilities.

• Demonstrated mastery of at least one of the following key RF engineering skills:

  • High power (>50 kW) RF systems design and operations.

  • High speed analog and digital RF system design.

  • Design of RF structures using 2-D and 3-D electromagnetic finite element codes.

  • Control theory with applications to accelerator systems including RF-beam interactions.

• Broad knowledge and understanding of RF systems and their role in particle accelerators.

• Experience with particle accelerator RF systems and/or other state-of-the-art large-scale engineering projects.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build collegial relationships and collaborate.

• Ability to plan, forecast and keep track of the labor and material resources.

• Demonstrated ability to positively interact with and support contractors, vendors, project management and procurement professionals.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency with standard MS Office tools including Excel, PowerPoint and Word.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced degree in electromagnetics, control theory, physics, or related field.

• Accelerator RF system expertise in one or more of the following areas:

  • Superconducting RF and NC RF accelerating cavity design with peripheries including power couplers, tuners, HOM damper etc.

  • Experience in the design and development of FPGA based digital RF systems for RF feedback in RF cavities.

  • Experience with cryogenic systems including Helium refrigerator-liquefiers.

  • Knowledge of accelerator physics and beam-cavity interactions including simulation and modeling in Matlab, Mathematica or equivalent codes.

• Experience with more than one of the following technical software: Matlab, MathCad, Mathematica, CST Studio Suite, ACE3p, AutoCad, or equivalent.

• Possess effective coaching and mentoring skills. Experience in giving real time performance feedback and constructive criticism, as well as structured period performance reviews.

• Formal project management training, and certification.

Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements:

• May be required to climb ladders up to 5 feet for equipment inspection.

• May be required to occasionally work off-hours, nights and/or weekends to support mission critical projects.

Other Information:

• This is an onsite position.

• Some domestic/international travel may be required.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $135,800 - $210,000 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.