Electrical Designer - Accelerator & Photon Beamline Systems

Location: Hybrid - Newport News, VA or Naperville, IL

About xLight

xLight is building the world's most powerful laser to revolutionize semiconductor lithography, metrology, and for other critical applications. Our approach harnesses the power of free-electron lasers, building on accelerator technology in use globally at scientific user facilities. Extending this technology, we are developing industrial-grade light sources, engineered for continuous operation, to meet the sophisticated demands of next-generation patterning, metrology, and inspection applications. Join us in this new revolution.

Opportunity

We are seeking a talented Electrical Designer to create detailed electrical schematics and control layouts for electron accelerator components and photon transport systems for next-generation light sources. You will design control systems, detector electronics, and beamline instrumentation in a hybrid environment with flexibility across our Newport News, VA and Naperville, IL offices.

Key Responsibilities

• Design electrical schematics and control system layouts for accelerator components and photon beamlines
• Create detailed PCB layouts for high-radiation environment electronics and detector front-end circuits
• Design power distribution and magnet power supply circuits for electron and photon systems
• Develop signal conditioning and data acquisition electronics for beam diagnostics and photon detectors
• Create control system schematics interfacing with accelerator magnets, RF systems, and cryogenic equipment
• Ensure designs comply with radiation hardness, high-voltage safety, and accelerator-specific standards
• Coordinate with RF engineers, accelerator physicists, and mechanical designers on integrated systems
• Support manufacturing and integration teams for accelerator component assembly

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics
• 5+ years of experience in electronics design for scientific instruments or particle accelerators
• Proficiency with electrical CAD software (Altium Designer, Eagle, or equivalent)
• Knowledge of high-voltage circuit design and magnet power supply systems
• Understanding of radiation-tolerant electronics and shielding requirements
• Experience with detector electronics and signal processing circuits
• Familiarity with accelerator control systems and EPICS framework

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics
• Experience with SLAC, Fermilab, or comparable national laboratory facilities
• Knowledge of photon diagnostic and detector systems
• Experience with EMC/EMI design in high-field environments
• Familiarity with FPGA development or embedded systems for accelerator control

The pay range for this position reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries at commencement of employment and is expected to be between USD$115,000-145,000/year. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including role, job-related knowledge, skills, relevant education and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity, and a full range of benefits. Details of all benefits will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

xLight Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.