RF Engineer -Microwave & Quasi-Optics
On-siteMadison, Wisconsin, United States or Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Job Summary
Design and validate quasi-optical transmission line components for high-power millimeter-wave delivery to the plasma vessel in the Electron Cyclotron Heating team. Perform Gaussian beam optics analysis, electromagnetic simulations using tools like CST or HFSS, and coordinate precision fabrication with vendors and metrology teams. Conduct low-power bench measurements for beam pattern mapping and insertion loss, then support high-power conditioning and commissioning activities. Develop engineering documentation and collaborate across thermal, mechanical, and neutronics disciplines to integrate microwave systems into the stellarator fusion machine.
Required Qualifications
- Doctoral degree/Masters in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or a closely related field
- Demonstrated experience in microwave or millimeter-wave engineering, including RF component design, analysis, or testing
- Working knowledge of Gaussian beam optics and free-space wave propagation at millimeter-wave or sub-millimeter-wave frequencies
- Proficiency with at least one electromagnetic/multi-physics simulation tool (e.g., CST Microwave Studio, HFSS, COMSOL, or similar)
- Hands-on experience with microwave measurement techniques and laboratory instrumentation (VNAs, power meters, beam profilers)
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate system-level requirements into component-level specifications
- Genuine curiosity and a demonstrated willingness to learn new technical domains
- Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment
- Valid driver's license
Desired Qualifications
- Familiarity with high-power gyrotron systems or ECH transmission line architectures used in fusion research
- Experience with QO or antenna range measurements, including near-field to far-field transformations
- Exposure to fusion devices (tokamaks or stellarators) and the role of ECH systems in plasma heating
- Experience with engineering design tools such as CAD (SolidWorks, CATIA) for mechanical integration of microwave components
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