Quaise, Inc

Senior RF Engineer

Houston, TX

Full-time

$115,000-$140,000

About This Job

Job Description

Quaise is seeking an accomplished Sr. RF Engineer, with specific experience in high-power RF sources and millimeter wave (MMW) transmission, to design transmission systems for our MMW Drilling System, improve performance and further the development of high power, high efficiency gyrotron sources. This role will collaborate with other cross-functional teams to design systems as well as troubleshoot and resolve RF-related issues. The ideal candidate will have a strong background and experience in electromagnetic theory, design tools, simulation, custom code development, and familiarity with high-power vacuum electronic devices and high voltage systems.

Essential functions (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.)

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Design, test, and implement RF & MMW components, waveguide transmission systems, and diagnostics equipment for the Quaise MMW Drilling System.

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Design and use of waveguide mirrors, miter bends, polarizers, tapers, bends, mode converters, and other transmission line architecture components.

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Collaborate to develop next generation MMW source for increased power output efficiency and system reliability, ruggedize for field deployment, and design for better maintainability and serviceability.

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Specify requirements, source components, integrate system, implement, and assemble experiments.

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Perform lab or field tests, analyze test results and build on lessons learned to further the equipment development progress and achieve team/company objectives.

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Prepare engineering reports and complete documentation for work carried out.

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Package and ruggedize key system elements to prepare the technology moving from the lab to field environment.

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Effectively collaborate and communicate with team members working on various aspects of the direct energy drilling system.

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Push boundaries on current limitations of CW tubes to gain advantages in this equipment as it becomes tailored for industrial drilling applications.

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Perform other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

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Strong understanding of EM wave (10-150 GHz), including basic principles, waveguide modes, mode conversion, wave polarization and filtering.

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Understanding of propagation in rectangular and cylindrical waveguides as well as overmoded corrugated and dielectric lined waveguides.

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Knowledge on handling reflected power, isolation, impedance matching, load, and dummy load design.

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Knowledge of quasi-optic and ray tracing techniques for modeling and designing MMW systems.

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Understanding wave attenuation and wave interaction with materials and the environment, reflection, absorption, and noise.

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Experienced in operation and principles of high-power (100kW+), high-voltage (20kV+) vacuum electronics devices including TWTs, klystrons, and gyrotrons and supporting equipment such as high-voltage power supplies.

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Experience with Gyrotron (or other vacuum electron devices) internal component design, electron cavity interactions, depressed collector design.

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Awareness of typical limitations of VEDs, thermal and mechanical concepts, thermal management techniques, power delivery techniques, insulation techniques.

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Ability to complete microwave network analysis using S-parameters. Experience using VNA and other microwave test equipment.

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Operational with vacuum systems, including RF windows, pressure gauges, and vacuum pumps.

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Familiarity with electromagnetism, super conducting magnets, physics of electric and magnetic fields and their use in gyrating electrons in a VED.

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Use of CAD and simulation software (HFSS, CST, MATLAB, COMSOL, etc.) used to simulate wave propagation, thermal characteristics, and effects of environment on the wave.

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Knowledge of high-level programming languages (C++, Python, MATLAB) for numerical modeling, post processing simulation results, and plotting data.

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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

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Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

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Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Supervisory responsibilities

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May supervise the work of junior engineers or contractors to ensure work is completed in accordance with project requirements.

Education and Experience

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Master’s or PhD degree in engineering (Electrical, Electronics, RF) or Physics degree preferred.

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Bachelor’s degree may be considered if coupled with several years’ experience in industry.

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5 years of related experience in microwave engineering required; 10 years preferred.

Physical requirements

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The employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, as well as use hands to feel, reach, grasp, handle, or operate objects, tools and/or controls.

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The employee must be able to lift, push, pull, transfer, or move items up 20 pounds at times for departmental needs.

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Ability to move from one worksite to another or travel to various job sites and locations to complete tasks.

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The vision requirement includes reviewing written and electronic materials in digital and physical format.

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The employee must be able to adjust to changing work hours and locations as needed considering the strong focus on external communications and relationships.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Management reserves the right to change, rescind, add, or delete the duties and responsibilities of positions within this job classification at any time.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

Quaise Energy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status or age.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

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401(k)

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401(k) matching

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Dental insurance

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Employee assistance program

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Flexible schedule

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Flexible spending account

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Health insurance

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Health savings account

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Life insurance

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Paid time off

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Parental leave

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Relocation assistance

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Vision insurance

Schedule:

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Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person