General Engineer (Cyclotron)

At the full performance GS-13 grade level you will perform the following duties:

• Operate manage maintain repair and develop innovative enhancements to integrated cyclotron subsystems.
• Serve as senior consultant to scientific professionals on cyclotron theory and targetry.
• Serve as subject matter expert for the design and fabrication of custom electronic control/monitoring equipment and systems radiation-tolerant component substitutions radioisotope processing systems and target and transfer systems.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot highly complex electrical electronic mechanical programmable logic controllers (PLC) and embedded control accelerator malfunctions in cyclotron and related systems at the system module and component levels and their associated subsystems which include:
  • Radiofrequency (RF) and high-voltage circuits magnet power and beam transport systems electronic control and monitoring equipment instrumentation;
  • Vacuum systems beam-transport hardware mechanical target assemblies radioisotope processing systems; and
  • PLCs embedded control logic electronic control and monitoring systems.
• Develop novel solutions for (1) unique engineering problems when troubleshooting procedures precedents manufacturer support or applicable technical documentation are unavailable; (2) mechanical components and radioisotope processing systems; and (3) control and monitoring capabilities used in cyclotron operation and radioisotope production.
• Direct and operate cyclotron production runs often requiring early morning shifts (pre-6:00 AM).
• Manage all preventative and corrective maintenance on GE PETtrace 800-series systems electrical electronic and mechanical accelerator systems and computerized and embedded accelerator controls ensuring the reliable production of radioisotopes for time-critical clinical protocols.
• Lead equipment upgrades intended to improve system reliability performance radioisotope production automation monitoring and efficiency.
• Ensure strict adherence to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and NIH Safety Branch regulations. Develops cGMP Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Manage radiation safety protocols including shielding evaluations and ALARA practices in high-hazard environments.
• Provides project mentorship and technical guidance to staff and summer interns (SIP).

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation verification of qualifications completion of onboarding forms submission of required documents and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Males born after December 31 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Position requires education. Please provide transcripts (see Qualifications section of this announcement).
• The work involves moderate to strenuous physical activity including maneuvering in confined radiation-controlled spaces and handling items weighing up to 50 pounds (e.g. lead bricks gas cylinders).
• The work involves frequent exposure to ionizing radiation high-voltage circuits and hazardous chemicals.
• If selected you must pass a pre-employment medical examination provide evidence of immunization and be free from communicable diseases.
• Requires training and validated competency in the safe use storage and disposal of high levels of radioactivity and use of protective laboratory coats safety glasses and gloves.
• Based on your appointment a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• This position is designated as an emergency essential position and the selected candidate will be considered an emergency essential employee and will be required to be available ready willing and able to report for duty under all circumstances (e.g. inclement weather government closings and holidays lapses in appropriations non-emergency and emergency situations) for operation 24 hours a day and 365 days per year coverage.

In order to meet the Basic Qualification Requirements of an General Engineer GS-0801 position you must have:

A. A degree in professional engineering from a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; OR

B. A degree in professional engineering that includes differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in 5 of the following 7 areas of engineering science or physics: (1) statics dynamics; (2) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (3) fluid mechanics hydraulics; (4) thermodynamics; (5) electrical fields and circuits; (6) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (7) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics such as optics heat transfer soil mechanics or electronics; OR

C. Be registered as a professional engineer by any State the District of Columbia Guam or Puerto Rico; OR

D. Be currently registered as an Engineering Intern (EI) or an Engineer in Training (EIT); OR

E. Successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States the District of Columbia Guam and Puerto Rico.; OR

F. Successfully completed at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical mathematical and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described above; OR

G. Successfully completed a curriculum that led to a bachelors degree in engineering technology OR in an appropriate professional field e.g. physics chemistry architecture computer science mathematics hydrology or geology AND at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

In addition to the Basic Qualifications above to qualify for a General Engineer (Cyclotron) GS-0801 position at the GS-12 level you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following types of tasks: providing engineering support for cyclotrons particle accelerators or comparable electromechanical systems; diagnosing and resolving malfunctions involving integrated systems (i.e. electrical electronic mechanical radio frequency (RF) high-voltage vacuum programmable logic controllers (PLC) embedded control instrumentation computerized control systems); applying engineering principles to design modify fabricate integrate test or improve specialized equipment components and control or monitoring systems to enhance reliability performance automation production efficiency or maintainability; applying Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) radiation safety regulatory quality and compliance requirements to engineering equipment operations procedures and documentation in controlled environments; providing technical consultation and engineering guidance for technical projects.


In addition to the Basic Qualifications above to qualify for a General Engineer (Cyclotron) GS-0801 position at the GS-13 level you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following types of tasks: managing the operation maintenance repair optimization and/or upgrade of cyclotrons particle accelerators or comparable multidisciplinary systems; diagnosing and resolving system- module- and component-level failures involving integrated systems (i.e. RF high-voltage electrical/electronic mechanical vacuum beam-transport PLC embedded control instrumentation and computerized control systems); applying engineering principles to lead the design fabrication integration testing or modification of specialized equipment radiation-tolerant components control and monitoring systems or radioisotope processing systems; applying and ensuring adherence to NRC FDA and current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) radiation safety regulatory quality and compliance requirements (or comparable standards) including developing procedures and evaluating equipment or processes for safe and compliant operation in controlled or high-hazard environments; serving as a senior technical consultant or subject matter expert by leading engineering projects and procurements providing technical guidance to multidisciplinary professionals or communicating engineering information through technical reports procedures specifications or other documentation.


You will receive credit for all experience material to the position including experience gained in religious civic welfare service and organizational activities regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may but need not begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply: This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.