R&D Test Engineer

• • Own and retire technical risks by designing, analyzing, procuring, building, and commissioning test equipment utilizing your knowledge of physics, structures, instrumentation and controls, mechanical and electrical systems
  • Develop test plans that effectively retire technical risks. Plans include appropriate instrumentation and controls necessary to obtain repeatable and reliable data
  • Understand, challenge and maintain well-documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test. Documentation includes: design reviews, wiring lists, P&IDs, schematics, CAD assemblies, drawings, and operations software
  • Identify and mitigate safety hazards associated with test equipment and test plans
  • Design safety into the system and produce safety documentation such as job hazard assessments and test readiness reviews
  • Design experiment campaigns that match our fast pace and work hard to maintain the proposed schedule
  • Troubleshoot and resolve integration and test discrepancies during build, commissioning and operation
  • Support end users with troubleshooting and upgrades once the test stand is handed over
  • Iterate on designs, equipment and operations for repeat tests to improve test efficiency
  • Create physics/mechanical models to predict results. Develop custom tools to analyze generated data.
  • Compile test results clearly for review
  • Lead anomaly investigations and their resolution (root cause analysis), and present results to a team of physicists and engineers
  • Execute plans for future expansion, including capital equipment and floor layouts, always having a vision for scalability of systems into a larger context.
  • Provide visions for multi-use test infrastructure that can be scaled for multiple applications

The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of these requirements:

• • Bachelor's degree in engineering or science field is required; mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or similar applied physics degree
  • 5+ years experience designing/building/commissioning specialized test or industrial equipment with hands on experience and a proven ability to deliver reliable data
  • 5+ years using CAD software (NX is a plus) to design complex assemblies, producing drawings for procurement, GD&T and tolerance stack-ups
  • 5+ years experience with analysis of mechanical components (Finite Element Analysis), strength of materials and failure criteria
  • Excellent troubleshooting/problem-solving skills with an ability to innovate creative solutions to challenging problems
  • The ability to effectively communicate technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • The ability to challenge requirements and defend results when needed, as well as the ability to accept feedback and apply it readily
  • Proven collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating a productive discourse on problems
  • A solid grasp of basic mechanical engineering concepts such as fasteners design, welds and bolted joints
  • A solid grasp of electromagnetic fundamentals – voltage, current, resistance, Ohm's Law, AC/DC, right-hand rule, solenoids, etc.
  • Familiarity with superconducting magnets (Lorentz loads, magnet design, conductor design)
  • Proactive with a focus on improving efficiency and throughput of processes
  • High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly. A can-do attitude and an eagerness to learn
  • Experience with designing and commissioning new test facilities
  • Experience with developing and executing complex test procedures, in particular tests that include multiple skill sets, different testing phases, and 3rd parties
  • Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/overtime for testing

Additional preferred experience and/or qualifications:

• • Experience with structural FEA software, especially ANSYS and COMSOL
  • Experience using NX and Teamcenter
  • Experience with high field magnet testing traditional or superconducting
  • Experience with designing fluid systems – P&IDs, component selection, ASME design codes.
  • Experience with cryogenic equipment design and use for liquid nitrogen and supercritical helium use – 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 with high voltage and high current power equipment design and use – power supplies, water cooled cables, insulation
  • Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
  • Perform activities such as typing, stooping, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
  • Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics