Engineer I - Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy, 86046

Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy (MIDE) in the Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSIN) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC).

This Pulsed Power Technologies Engineer-I position is a key role in the growth and sustainability of the Missouri Institute for Defense & Energy within the University of Missouri. You will serve as the technical subject matter expert for fundamental and applied research involving high-voltage pulsed power, support the technical needs of simulations and experiments, support or mentor research staff and students, and oversee the applied Solid-State Pulse Generator Team, at the behest of the Electromagnetic Technologies & Operations Division Head, to meet the needs of ongoing, and future research funding and prototype solutions.

Roles:

1. Perform experiments with RF, high-power, CW, solid-state, and other technologies to acquire data as it pertains to performance and metrics evaluation for defense, RF safety, and/or biological/health-related solutions.
2. Solid-State Pulse Generator Team's source technology SME and development expert which assists/supports current and future development of new areas of research efforts, and applications thereof, which align with Team-level to Division-Level sustainment and growth, via proposals, quad-charts, white-papers, and other mechanisms.
3. Pulse Generator technical Point-of-Contact for the PTERA and CUCKOO Contracted efforts, as delegated.

Responsibilities:

1. Participate, collaborate, consult - as required/requested - MIDE pulsed power technology research, experimentation, and development, at the fundamental and applied levels, which serve to improve the state of the art for Defense missions, Health/Bio/RF-Safety research, and potential commercial applications:
   • Program level
     • Perform experiments which procure data on RF, high-voltage, pulsed-power, and other related technologies.
     • Provide recommended improvements or alternatives to pulser topologies and avenues to achieve greater SWaP-C and optimize device utilization and usage to satisfy key performance metrics.
     • Ensure current and future scope-of-work, technical merit, and project timeline aligns with the available resources (personnel, space, capabilities) to assure strategic sustainment and growth of the Team and provide input to Division Lead.
2. Prepare presentations, and status reports as determined/needed to document important results followed by brief or in-depth (as requested) explanations to justify the data produced/acquired in a format that represents the professional quality of excellence that encompasses MIDE, the School of Science and Engineering, and UMKC.
3. Identify innovative DE/HPM/RF concepts and curate solutions to improve the State-of-the-Art as well as meet a myriad of customer-driven needs which may support new/additional funding mechanisms;
4. Assist in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students' (GRA/UGRA) research.

Duties

1. Develop and disseminate research information and data within technical area responsibilities that support the Teams', Divisions', and Institute's future sustainability;
2. Coordinate with external customers, collaborators, sub-contractors as it pertains to the Solid-State Pulse Generator Team within the Electromagnetic Technologies & Operations Division;
3. Identify gaps/deficiencies within the Team or cross-Teams that align with MIDE strengths or desired growth areas, and support procuring external funding to support Institute sustainment and growth.
4. Disseminate Team-level research outputs through multiple venues (conferences, partnership & collaboration agreements, and customer briefings).
5. Lead the pulse generator technology development team through identification of SOTA improvements, cutting edge technology areas, relaying prospective customer requirements, funding opportunities, solution concepts, and team execution/mentorship.
6. Assist in mentorship of graduate and undergraduate research assistants through the development and advancement of their research topics which aligns with career development.

A Bachelor's degree from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

• Master's degree
• At least one year of experience involving:
  • pulsed power technologies;
  • high-voltage ultrashort-pulse waveform generation;
  • semiconductor device development;
  • hands on testing and evaluation of megawatt or more electrical/electronic systems using high-fidelity measurement equipment in a laboratory and/or realistic environment;
  • simulating pulsed power technologies in a SPICE-based and 3-D full EM solver software(s) - for medical, industrial, material processing, or defense-related applications, as well as;
  • hands-on experience with developing the accompanying pulsed power technology in parallel, within a team setting.

Anticipated starting salary up to $72,500 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity.

Posting closes Monday, January 21, 2025

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

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In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

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