Join the power movement as a Senior RF Test EngineerSPARC sustains fusion reactions by feeding >25MW of 120MHz RF power into the tokamak to heat the plasma to 100 million Kelvin. We need an RF Test Engineer to play a pivotal role in validating and testing the electronics and control systems that power the most ambitious RF plant in the world.
At this level, you are a hands-on executor and technical problem solver. You will be directly responsible for taking newly architected RF and power electronics from the benchtop to full-scale operation. Your day-to-day will span board-level bring-up, operating high-power RF transmitters, and integrating hardware with software controls to ensure SPARC achieves net energy.
For more information on the SPARC RF plant, see the SPARC journal papers here:
- Overview of the SPARC tokamak
- Physics basis for the ICRF system of the SPARC tokamak
What you'll do:- Execute Board-Level Bring-Up: Lead the initial power-on, debugging, and validation of custom printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), embedded digital controllers, and low-level electronics, focusing heavily on the integration of these boards into working modular solid-state RF systems
- Operate RF Transmitters & High Voltage Systems: Safely run and test high-power RF transmitters with a primary focus on validating and troubleshooting complex RF behaviors. You will also safely interface with, and occasionally troubleshoot, the supporting high-voltage infrastructure and large-scale supercapacitor banks
- Drive Hardware/Software Integration: Bridge the gap between physical electronics and control software, ensuring that measurement circuits, timing systems, and sensors interface seamlessly with SPARC's central data collection and control networks
- Oversee FAT Fixturing & Operation: Design, assemble, and manage the fixturing for Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT). You will oversee the execution of these tests to validate that incoming hardware meets stringent performance and safety criteria
- Develop Procedures & Hand-Off: Translate complex engineering validation steps into clear, repeatable test procedures, ultimately training and handing off routine testing and steady-state operations to engineering technicians
What we're looking for:- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
- 7+ years of hands-on experience testing high-power RF systems, radar, particle accelerators, electric vehicles, or heavy industrial power electronics
- Proven hands-on experience safely working with high voltage components, energy storage (e.g., supercapacitors), and troubleshooting complex analog and digital circuits at the component level
- Exceptional skills in reading RF circuit designs (Altium or similar) and setting up automated test environments to validate sensitive timing and RF detection circuits within extreme high-power, high-noise environments (EMI/EMC mitigation)
- Proficiency in C++ and Python, with the ability to read code and thoroughly understand software deployments before testing them
- Proven intuition for high-power RF environments
Bonus points for:- Experience designing test fixtures, writing comprehensive FAT protocols, and setting up automated data acquisition systems in high-noise environments, utilizing EMI/EMC mitigation techniques to ensure circuits operate reliably
- Hands-on experience measuring forward and reflected RF power, diagnosing RF arcs, and validating the timing and electronics designed to mitigate them
- Proven experience writing custom test software to automate lab equipment and validate system functionality
- A strong systems-level understanding of modern high-performance embedded digital controllers, high-speed communications, and fundamentals of mechanical/thermal design to safely execute tests and interface effectively with cross-functional teams
Must-have Requirements:- Ability to lift up to 50lbs
- Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, standing, typing or sitting for extended periods of time
- Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
- 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
$110,000 - $185,000 a year
Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits. The actual salary will depend on level, location, qualifications, and experience. The range displayed on each job posting reflects new hire salaries for the position across all US locations.
Benefits include:
• Competitive compensation with equity
• 13 Company-wide Holidays
• Flexible vacation days
• 10 sick days
• Generous parental leave policy
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Professional growth opportunities
• Team-building activities
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