R&D Engineer - High Voltage

Team: R&D Test

Location: Devens, MA

Commitment: Full-time

Workplace Type: hybrid

Salary:

What you'll do:

• Develop new high voltage system designs and their associated subsystems, which includes designing and building R&D test samples, and developing their manufacturing processes and test operations
• Design, build, and commission high voltage test equipment required to accomplish R&D test campaign objectives
• Perform structural, electrical, and/or thermal analyses in support of R&D sample design and to predict test results
• Build expertise in testing superconducting magnets under high voltage
• Support the production, test, integration, and commissioning of SPARC insulated coils
• Understand, challenge, and maintain well documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test, and align stakeholders on why the planned test is required and what data is deemed essential for the desired outcome to be achieved
• Collaborate with I&C engineers to develop necessary instrumentation and data acquisition systems
• Maintain documentation, schedules, and budgets for test campaigns. Documentation includes: design reviews, wiring lists, P&IDs, schematics, CAD assemblies, drawings, BOMs, data acquisition systems, job hazard analysis, test logs, and operations software
• Develop custom tools to analyze generated data. Compile test results in presentations for review
• Prepare and deliver presentations containing trade studies, design reviews, test readiness reviews, and test data reviews to teams of engineers and physicists

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science field is required; mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or similar, or applied physics degree preferred
• 2+ years’ experience as an R&D engineer or test engineer designing, building, commissioning complex electromechanical systems
• Experience with selecting and utilizing instrumentation and control components such as thermocouples, voltage and current sensors, oscilloscopes, pressure transducers, strain gauges, heaters, flow meters, fittings and valves
• Experience with developing and executing test procedures
• Proficiency with CAD design in Siemens NX or equivalent CAD software
• Familiarity with electromagnetic fundamentals: voltage, current, resistance, Ohm’s law, AC/DC, right-hand rule, solenoids, etc.
• Excellent troubleshooting / problem-solving skills with great attention to detail
• Experience developing and effectively presenting comprehensive trade studies comparing the pros & cons of various technical approaches
• Data reduction and analysis skills that can be used in generating anticipated results and processing generated data
• Effective at communicating technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly
• Collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating productive discourse on problems
• Willingness to challenge the status quo in search of better, more efficient methods.

Bonus points for:

• Experience writing Python or MATLAB data tools for processing and analyzing data
• Experience with high voltage and high current power equipment design and use – power supplies, water-cooled cables, insulation
• Experience with designing, building, and testing composite materials.
• Have a general understanding of the physics of high voltage breakdown and the Paschen effect
• Experience debugging electronics hardware and test software
• Experience with designing and commissioning new test facilities
• Experience with cryogenic equipment design for use with liquid nitrogen and supercritical helium – vacuum jacketed equipment, cryocoolers, phase separators, cold traps
• Experience with high vacuum equipment design and use – roughing pumps, turbopumps, ion gauges, residual gas analyzers
• Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes and handing off processes to production teams

Must-have requirements:

Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
Perform activities such as typing, climbing, standing, stooping or sitting for extended periods of time
Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics