What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Engineer position at General Atomics?
Job Summary
General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.
GA’s Magnetic Fusion Energy (MFE) Division plays a lead role in the pursuit of scientific excellence driving fusion energy development and engineering excellence as a global provider of fusion systems and services.
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Engineer to join the RF Technology Group within the MFE Division. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work on advanced high-power microwave, millimeter-wave, and terahertz systems, including applications in plasma fusion heating, plasma diagnostics, and accelerator technologies.
The ideal candidate will have experience with complex RF systems and familiarity with sources such as gyrotrons, klystrons, and magnetrons. A strong technical background is desired, including skills in mechanical design, advanced fabrication, CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks), and finite element analysis using software such as COMSOL or ANSYS. Hands-on experience with microwave laboratory techniques, including RF power measurement, is also highly valued.
Success in this role requires the ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams, manage multiple projects concurrently, and contribute to proposal development and business development initiatives. The candidate should be comfortable delivering technical presentations to both internal and external stakeholders.
We are particularly interested in individuals who are intellectually curious and capable of quickly developing expertise in new and unfamiliar areas, demonstrating a strong ability to research, learn, and apply complex technical concepts beyond their current domain of knowledge.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Job Qualifications
Salary range: 105,890 - 189,545
General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.
GA’s Magnetic Fusion Energy (MFE) Division plays a lead role in the pursuit of scientific excellence driving fusion energy development and engineering excellence as a global provider of fusion systems and services.
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Engineer to join the RF Technology Group within the MFE Division. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work on advanced high-power microwave, millimeter-wave, and terahertz systems, including applications in plasma fusion heating, plasma diagnostics, and accelerator technologies.
The ideal candidate will have experience with complex RF systems and familiarity with sources such as gyrotrons, klystrons, and magnetrons. A strong technical background is desired, including skills in mechanical design, advanced fabrication, CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks), and finite element analysis using software such as COMSOL or ANSYS. Hands-on experience with microwave laboratory techniques, including RF power measurement, is also highly valued.
Success in this role requires the ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams, manage multiple projects concurrently, and contribute to proposal development and business development initiatives. The candidate should be comfortable delivering technical presentations to both internal and external stakeholders.
We are particularly interested in individuals who are intellectually curious and capable of quickly developing expertise in new and unfamiliar areas, demonstrating a strong ability to research, learn, and apply complex technical concepts beyond their current domain of knowledge.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Investigate new research topics, evaluate state-of-the-art capabilities, generate and deliver technical presentations to management, interact with customers, interpret findings and propose technical roadmaps.
- Develop and implement creative solutions to new challenges related to RF hardware design and small-volume manufacturing.
- Draft engineering drawings with geometric tolerancing and dimensioning of RF hardware.
- Perform laboratory experiments and analyze data using typical microwave equipment such as vector network analyzers, power meters, spectrum analyzers, and solid state power supplies.
- Interface with customers, machinists, and project controllers to deliver RF hardware.
- Perform finite element simulations using commercial software package to characterize component performance and quantify operational limitations.
- Work independently and/or in a small team, leading some projects or objectives while supporting engineers, scientists and business development on other projects as needed.
- Draft proposals, research articles and present at technical conferences, workshops and meetings.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Job Qualifications
- Typically requires a Bachelors degree, Masters degree or PhD in a scientific or related technical field and progressively complex scientific experience as follows: 10 years of experience with a Bachelors or Masters degree in related technical field. 5 years of experience with a PhD degree in related technical field.
- Ideal candidate will have experience with electromagnetic simulation software (ANSYS, HFSS, COMSOL, Surf3D, CST Studio Suite).
- Ideal candidate will have experience with CAD software (SolidWorks, ProE, Creo, Fusion360...)
- Ideal candidate will have experience with numeric computing in MATLAB, python, or a similar platform.
- Must demonstrate highly effective communication skills in technical presentations.
- Must possess the ability to research new topics and develop understanding of phenomena that are outside of prior experience.
Salary range: 105,890 - 189,545