Project engineer for particle accelerator applications (Cryogenics)

• Be part of an international team developing a high-power superconducting proton accelerator
• Contribute to the finalization of the design and integration of accelerator cryomodules, focusing on meticulous planning to ensure successful assembly into a complete system
• Together with the team, coordinate technical activities and manage comprehensive documentation across the entire cryomodule lifecycle
• Become the contact person for procurement  contracts, including manufacturing, assembly, and testing of the cryomodule 

Contribute to the design consolidation, procurement, and assembly activities of the cryomodule equipment for the particle accelerator

Together with a large team of ambitious engineers and researchers, SCK CEN wants to develop new medical radioisotopes to treat cancer patients and solve the nuclear waste issue by means of the MYRRHA project. The MYRRHA project’s first implementation phase (start of commissioning scheduled for 2027) consists of a ≈170m long, superconducting, high power proton accelerator with one of a kind reliability and two target facilities for research into radioisotopes, radioactive ion beam physics and nuclear fusion reactor materials.

To help us achieve our ambitious goals, we are looking for a new team member to join the “Accelerator Cryogenics Unit” (ACR) within the “Accelerator Technologies and Systems Group” (ATS). This new team member will contribute to the design consolidation, procurement, and assembly activities of the cryomodule equipment for the particle accelerator. While some accelerator components are still being finalized in design, others are already being procured for subsequent assembly into a full cryomodule.

You will be part of the ACR team, and work closely together with members of the “Accelerator Mechanics Unit” (mechanical designer, CAD draftsman, etc.), as well as with accelerator system experts, ATS project officers, and you will:

• Contribute to the finalization of the design of the cryomodule in close collaboration with the Accelerator Mechanics unit;
• Develop and implement an integration strategy to ensure proper assembly of cryomodule components into a complete system;
• With strong support of the unit heads and after an onboarding period, coordinate technical activities regarding cryomodule-related topics;
• Become the single point of contact for the technical aspects of the procurement and contract follow up of the cryomodule’s cryostat, and for the assembly of all cryomodule components into a fully integrated system;
• Participate in the pre-qualification tests of the fully assembled cryomodule at our collaborators premises;
• Support all engineering activities and system integrations of the cryogenic equipment, such as design, engineering, prototyping, industrialization, installation, operation, maintenance, improvement;
• Ensure comprehensive documentation of the cryogenic equipment during its entire life cycle. This includes documentation during the design phase (requirements, technical specifications, acceptance criteria), the procurement phase (suppliers selection, contract follow-up), the production phase (manufacturing, assembly, tests), the installation phase (integration, commissioning), and the exploitation phase.

To join this frontier, you’ll need

• a Master in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Cryogenic Engineering, or equivalent;
• minimum 5 years of experience as an engineer, preferably in the field of cryogenics, particle accelerators, or related high-tech industries;
• experience in the integration and assembly of mechanical equipment;
• experience in cryogenic engineering or thermo-mechanical design is considered a strong asset;
• familiarity with non-standard and complex machines is considered a strong asset;
• basic familiarity with a 3D CAD software (Creo, Ansys) is an asset;
• experience in writing of technical documentation;
• the ability to speak/write fluently in English;
• to be a self-managing team player with an eye for detail and a structured work approach, and the ability to lead and collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary and international environment.

Deadline 06/10/2024