Water Systems and Utility Engineer III - Engineering/Physicist Accelerator III

Working/Functional Title

Water Systems and Utility Engineer III

Position Summary

Michigan State University (MSU) operates the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) as a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics. FRIB provides researchers with one of the most advanced tools of modern science to study rare isotopes, or short-lived nuclei not normally found on Earth. Hosting what is designed to be the most powerful heavy-ion accelerator, FRIB enables scientists to make discoveries about the properties of rare isotopes, nuclear astrophysics, fundamental interactions, and applications for society, including in medicine, homeland security, and industry. User facility operation is supported by the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics as one of 28 DOE-SC user facilities. MSU’s nuclear physics graduate program is a top-ranked program nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report.

This position affords an exciting opportunity to become part of the world-class FRIB Laboratory that enables unique discovery opportunities in nuclear science.

Purpose: 

The FRIB Water Systems and Utilities Engineer III will have broad oversight and operational responsibilities for all Laboratory water systems and will provide technical oversight of elements of the design of technical equipment and overall responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and configuration control for all Laboratory technical equipment water systems.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for the operation and maintenance of water systems for power equipment amplifiers, cryogenic compressors, water-cooled electrical systems, and thermal management systems for chemical processing of accelerator cavities. 
• Assist in the operation and maintenance of Non-convention Utilities (NCU) equipment in support of Experimental Systems, including radioactive water, hydrogen gas re-combiners, and filtration and polishing equipment. 
• Function as a design team member and technical point of contact for issues surrounding the general implementation and operation of water systems and utilities at the FRIB. 
• Support the planning and equipment installation of water utilities and systems. 
• Complete CAD engineering designs and perform engineering calculations, write detailed reports and devise design solutions in support of pumping and piping systems. 
• Work with conventional facility personnel to develop and maintain operating plans and maintenance schedules for technical water systems. 
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Non-conventional Utilities (NCU) engineering, systems, and measurements expertise including deep knowledge of applicable regulatory and legal frameworks (e.g., federal, state, local, etc.). Sound judgment regarding the implementation of these regulations to contribute to organizational performance and success.
• Working knowledge of design and maintenance of pressurized water piping and pumping systems associated with industry standards.
• Ability to work with NCU equipment including radioactive water, and hydrogen gas re-combiners.
• Thorough knowledge of exotic metals.
• Demonstrable expertise in water and gas engineering in particular fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer.
• Working knowledge of resolver/encoder systems in analog control loops (not as used in motor servomechanisms) is preferred.
• Advanced understanding of mathematics.
• Knowledge of, and strict adherence to, safety programs, OSHA, and all related rules and regulations, and thorough knowledge of CAD.
• Knowledge of accelerator systems and/or complex systems facility operations. Superior problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and react to shifting priorities to meet business needs and deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills to communicate effectively and credibly, both verbally and in writing with all audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suites.

Unit Specific Education/Experience/Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Physics; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in physics, electronics, mechanical and/or electrical drafting, fabrication techniques, heat transfer, cryogenics and computer systems; and may require experience in the use of CAD and/or related engineering systems, including file transfer; experience in the use of exotic metals, including knowledge of their properties, in the fabricati