Senior Mechanical Engineer, Cryogenics Group - Brookhaven National Laboratory

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) was recently chosen as the building site for the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a one-of-a-kind nuclear physics research facility.  The EIC will be a discovery machine for unlocking the secrets of the “glue” that binds the building blocks of visible matter in the universe. The machine design is based on the existing and highly optimized RHIC Ion-Ion collider.   It will consist of two intersecting accelerators, one producing an intense beam of electrons, the other a beam of protons or heavier atomic nuclei which are steered into collisions.  Beyond sparking scientific discoveries in a new frontier of fundamental physics, the Electron-Ion Collider will trigger technological breakthroughs that have broad-ranging impact on human health and national challenges. 

The Cryogenics Group is responsible for upgrading existing cryogenic systems, designing and installing new systems, and operations of these systems that will be part of the Electron-Ion Collider. The existing central plant and existing Hadron Storage Ring cryo-distribution system will be upgraded/renewed and re-used. New 2K satellite systems and new 2K distribution systems will be added to meet EIC requirements.  The cryogenic system cools various superconducting magnets and various superconducting RF cavities throughout the EIC collider complex. 

Position Description 

BNL’s Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) directorate has an opening, in the Cryogenics Group, for a Senior Mechanical Engineer with experience in the engineering and/or operations of equipment and piping systems for chemical plants or cryogenic process plants. Work scope will include upgrades and maintenance of the current central liquid helium processing plant and other cryogenic equipment, as well as the design and planning for future EIC cryogenic systems and equipment. This position has a high level of interaction with an international and multicultural scientific community. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Develop designs of mechanical cryogenic components including cryostats and vacuum jacketed cryogenic piping systems, and designs of warm piping systems that transfer gases to cryogenic components. 

• Perform overall system level engineering, define equipment requirements, prepare equipment purchase specifications and drawing packages, following lab safety standards and national safety and equipment codes. 

• Collaborate with technical experts designing superconducting magnets and RF cavities on requirements, interfaces, and the optimization of cryogenic performance. 

• Manage engineering projects, including overseeing the work of other engineers and designers, and develop project plans including schedules, required resources, and budgets. 

• Work independently and collaborate with other senior engineering and scientific staff for assignments, guidance, and support. 

• Develop purchase specifications, act as technical representative for interfacing and follow up with vendor/fabricator during vendor manufacturing, travel for design meetings and witness tests. 

• Present the engineering and design in design reviews with technical staff. 

• Coordinate a variety of technical staff for fabrication, assembly, testing and installation of equipment. 

• Manage or supervise the creation and implementation of work planning procedures, hazard analyses, safety reviews, and supervise technicians during assembly, installation, and commissioning of equipment. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or other related field 

• Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the engineering and/or operations of equipment, components and piping systems for chemical plants or cryogenic process plants (for example, LNG, Air Separation, or any other cryogenic processing plant) 

• Experience with the procurement and installation of plant equipment (e.g. compressors, pumps, pressure vessels, heat exchangers) and piping components (e.g. fittings, flanges, valves, bellows, flexlines). 

• Experience with pipe sizing, control valve sizing, and relief device sizing. 

• Experience with practical finite element analysis using ANSYS Workbench or Comsol, and pipe stress analysis programs such as CAESAR-II, CAEPIPE, AUTOPIPE, WINPIPE, ROHR2. 

• Experience creating and checking detailed mechanical drawings and 3D models of pipe systems and components and managing the work of mechanical designers. 

• Experience with creating and reviewing detailed piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID) and process flow diagrams (PFDs) for general plant systems. 

• Familiarity with ASME BPVC VIII and ASME B31.3 or B31.1 Piping Code. 

• Ability to positively interact and support contractors, vendors, and procurement professionals.  

• Have excellent written and oral skills and proficiency with MS Office and MS Excel. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• MS degree or higher in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering or a closely related field, with a specialization in cryogenic engineering. 

• Ten (10) years’ related experience. 

• Experience with plant/system process simulation and use of cryogenic thermodynamic and transport properties database such as HePak, Gaspak, Refprop, Aspen HYSYS or other plant process simulation software. 

• Project development and management skills, proficient with MS Project. 

• Professional Engineering license. 

Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements: 

• May be required to climb ladders and/or work in Confined Spaces. 

• May be required to work in Oxygen Deficiency Hazard area, High Noise environment and Static Magnetic fields area. 

• Will be required to become a qualified Radiation Worker and may be required to work in radiation areas.  

• May be required to occasionally work off-hours, nights or weekends to support mission critical projects. 

Other Information:  

•  May be required to travel to attend vendor meetings, project reviews, and conferences, and training. 

• A hybrid work arrangement is available for working from home one out of five days a week. This should be discussed with the Group Leader. 

• The selected candidate will be placed at the appropriate professional level dependent upon depth and breadth of relevant knowledge and skills, as well as years of relevant experience. 

Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. This is a multi-level role and the full salary range for this position is $106650 - $168800 / year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience.  Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.