General Engineer (Cyclotron)

Summary

This position is located in the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Department which operates cyclotrons, hot cells, a cGMP manufacturing facility, and PET imaging scanners to support intramural clinical research. In this position, you will serve as a General Engineer (Cyclotron) responsible for providing engineering support for cyclotron particle accelerators and the full range of their integrated subsystems which are comprised of electrical, electronic, mechanical and computer/control systems.

Duties

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At the full performance GS-13 grade level, you will perform the following duties:

• Operate, manage, maintain, repair, and develop innovative enhancements to integrated cyclotron subsystems.
• Serve as senior consultant to scientific professionals on cyclotron theory and targetry.
• Serve as subject matter expert for the design and fabrication of custom electronic control/monitoring equipment and systems, radiation-tolerant component substitutions, radioisotope processing systems, and target and transfer systems.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot highly complex electrical, electronic, mechanical, programmable logic controllers (PLC) and embedded control accelerator malfunctions in cyclotron and related systems at the system, module, and component levels and their associated subsystems which include:
  
  • Radiofrequency (RF) and high-voltage circuits, magnet power and beam transport systems, electronic control and monitoring equipment, instrumentation;
  • Vacuum systems, beam-transport hardware, mechanical target assemblies, radioisotope processing systems; and
  • PLCs, embedded control logic, electronic control and monitoring systems.
• Develop novel solutions for (1) unique engineering problems when troubleshooting procedures, precedents, manufacturer support, or applicable technical documentation are unavailable; (2) mechanical components and radioisotope processing systems; and (3) control and monitoring capabilities used in cyclotron operation and radioisotope production.
• Direct and operate cyclotron production runs, often requiring early morning shifts (pre-6:00 AM).
• Manage all preventative and corrective maintenance on GE PETtrace 800-series systems, electrical, electronic, and mechanical accelerator systems and computerized and embedded accelerator controls, ensuring the reliable production of radioisotopes for time-critical clinical protocols.
• Lead equipment upgrades intended to improve system reliability, performance, radioisotope production, automation, monitoring, and efficiency.
• Ensure strict adherence to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and NIH Safety Branch regulations. Develops cGMP Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Manage radiation safety protocols, including shielding evaluations and ALARA practices in high-hazard environments.
• Provides project mentorship and technical guidance to staff and summer interns (SIP).

If selected at the GS-12 grade level, you will essentially perform the same duties as those described above; however, duties will be less complex and will be performed with more detailed guidance.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Position requires education. Please provide transcripts (see "Qualifications" section of this announcement).
• The work involves moderate to strenuous physical activity, including maneuvering in confined, radiation-controlled spaces and handling items weighing up to 50 pounds (e.g., lead bricks, gas cylinders).
• The work involves frequent exposure to ionizing radiation, high-voltage circuits, and hazardous chemicals.
• If selected, you must pass a pre-employment medical examination, provide evidence of immunization, and be free from communicable diseases.
• Requires training and validated competency in the safe use, storage, and disposal of high levels of radioactivity and use of protective laboratory coats, safety glasses and gloves.
• Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• This position is designated as an "emergency essential" position and the selected candidate will be considered an "emergency essential" employee and will be required to be available, ready, willing, and able to report for duty under all circumstances (e.g., inclement weather, government closings and holidays, lapses in appropriations, non-emergency and emergency situations) for operation 24 hours a day and 365 days per year coverage.

Qualifications

In order to meet the Basic Qualification Requirements of an General Engineer, GS-0801 position, you must have:

A. A degree in professional engineering from a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; OR

B. A degree in professional engineering that includes differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in 5 of the following 7 areas of engineering science or physics: (1) statics, dynamics; (2) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (3) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (4) thermodynamics; (5) electrical fields and circuits; (6) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (7) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; OR

C. Be registered as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico; OR

D. Be currently registered as an Engineering Intern (EI) or an Engineer in Training (EIT); OR

E. Successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.; OR

F. Successfully completed at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described above; OR

G. Successfully completed a curriculum that led to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology OR in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology AND at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

In addition to the Basic Qualifications above, to qualify for a General Engineer (Cyclotron), GS-0801 position at the GS-12 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: providing engineering support for cyclotrons, particle accelerators, or comparable electromechanical systems; diagnosing and resolving malfunctions involving integrated systems (i.e., electrical, electronic, mechanical, radio frequency (RF), high-voltage, vacuum, programmable logic controllers (PLC), embedded control, instrumentation, computerized control systems); applying engineering principles to design, modify, fabricate, integrate, test, or improve specialized equipment, components, and control or monitoring systems to enhance reliability, performance, automation, production efficiency, or maintainability; applying Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) radiation safety, regulatory, quality, and compliance requirements to engineering equipment, operations, procedures, and documentation in controlled environments; providing technical consultation and engineering guidance for technical projects.

In addition to the Basic Qualifications above, to qualify for a General Engineer (Cyclotron), GS-0801 position at the GS-13 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: managing the operation, maintenance, repair, optimization, and/or upgrade of cyclotrons, particle accelerators, or comparable multidisciplinary systems; diagnosing and resolving system-, module-, and component-level failures involving integrated systems (i.e. RF, high-voltage, electrical/electronic, mechanical, vacuum, beam-transport, PLC, embedded control, instrumentation, and computerized control systems); applying engineering principles to lead the design, fabrication, integration, testing, or modification of specialized equipment, radiation-tolerant components, control and monitoring systems, or radioisotope processing systems; applying and ensuring adherence to NRC, FDA, and current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) radiation safety, regulatory, quality and compliance requirements (or comparable standards), including developing procedures and evaluating equipment or processes for safe and compliant operation in controlled or high-hazard environments; serving as a senior technical consultant or subject matter expert by leading engineering projects and procurements, providing technical guidance to multidisciplinary professionals, or communicating engineering information through technical reports, procedures, specifications, or other documentation.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply:

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

• PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should also apply online to this announcement in order to receive consideration.
• The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
• Visit our Help Applying page for helpful information on the application process.
• If selected, you may be eligible to receive a salary above the minimum based on superior qualifications and/or a special need of the Government for your services. This applies to employees paid under the General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage System (FWS) pay systems and is at the discretion of the hiring manager. A salary above the minimum must be approved before the appointment.
• A newly appointed or reappointed individual may receive a recruitment incentive. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
• NIH may repay certain outstanding Federally insured student loans to facilitate the recruitment and retention of highly qualified people. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
• A newly appointed or reappointed employee may receive service credit for prior work experience or active-duty uniformed service that otherwise would not be creditable for the purpose of determining his or her annual leave accrual rate. All creditable service must be directly related to the duties of the position being filled and decisions to allow for such credit must be finalized prior to the selectee's entrance on duty. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.