High-Power RF (HPRF) Lead Engineer

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA (Hybrid; occasional travel to project construction site may be required)

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.

We hire exceptional talent — and exceptional means more than a strong résumé. How we achieve results is just as important as the results themselves, which is why attitude and character matter as much as technical skill. We believe great talent is widely distributed, not confined to a particular school or background. We seek individuals who demonstrate ownership, a spirit of collaboration, technical curiosity, and a genuine willingness to learn and grow — guided by our core values of Respect, Integrity, Creativity, and Engineering Excellence. We don't just hire for what someone can do today. We hire for who they are and who they are becoming.

What We Need — and Why It Matters

We are seeking a High-Power RF (HPRF) Lead Engineer to own the design, delivery, and long-term direction of all high-power RF systems for our accelerator program. This is a senior technical leadership role responsible for the full lifecycle of HPRF systems — from requirements definition and design through procurement, installation, and commissioning — as well as the strategic roadmap for RF power technology. The successful candidate combines deep hands-on expertise in RF power systems — particularly solid-state amplifier (SSA) technology — with proven program-management experience leading complex, multidisciplinary hardware efforts to on-schedule, on-budget delivery.

What You'll Do

Technical leadership and delivery

• Hold overall oversight and accountability for the successful delivery of all HPRF systems.

• Define system requirements and manage interfaces across the RF system boundary.

• Lead the design and specification of HPRF systems, including solid-state amplifiers (SSAs), RF sources, transmitters, power supplies, and associated subsystems.

• Plan and execute technical reviews (conceptual, preliminary, and final design reviews).

• Own system acceptance, installation, system commissioning, and support of beam commissioning.

Program and project management

• Develop and maintain HPRF project plans, schedules, and milestones.

• Manage resource allocation, staffing, and budget for the HPRF scope.

• Direct the procurement process, including specification development, sourcing, and contract execution.

• Manage vendor relationships and oversight through fabrication, delivery, and acceptance.

Cross-functional coordination

• Interface closely with Infrastructure, Accelerator Physics, Accelerator Systems, Controls, Production, and Installation teams to ensure integrated delivery.

• Coordinate requirement and interface definitions across all connected subsystems. Strategic direction

• Set the future strategic direction and technology roadmap for HPRF systems, including the adoption and scaling of solid-state amplifier technology.

• Guide long-term reliability, lifecycle planning, and technology selection to support program growth

What We Are Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.

• 15+ years of engineering experience, including 8+ years in technical leadership or management roles.

• Deep, hands-on expertise in high-power RF systems, with a strong emphasis on solid state amplifier (SSA) technology, along with RF transmitters and AC/DC high-power supplies. Familiarity with vacuum electronics (e.g., klystrons, tetrodes) is valuable.

• Demonstrated experience leading RF systems for particle accelerators or comparable large-scale RF infrastructure.

• Proven track record managing multidisciplinary teams and multimillion-dollar programs from concept through commissioning.

• Experience with procurement and vendor management for major RF hardware contracts.

• Strong record of planning and leading formal technical design reviews.

And If You Bring This — Even Better

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.

• Direct experience designing, specifying, or deploying high-power solid-state RF amplifier systems at scale.

• Experience in a large-scale accelerator or high-power RF environment (commercial, industrial, research facility, or national laboratory).

• Familiarity with formal project-management frameworks and structured cost/schedule reviews.

• Experience directing reliability and survival-analysis programs and applying statistical modeling to improve system availability.

• Experience managing RF-source lifecycle and procurement strategy.

• Active engagement in the RF/accelerator technical community (workshops, conferences, design-review committees).

What You Can Expect from Us

• 100% Company-funded health insurance for employee
• Company funded Life Insurance and disability insurance
• 401k contribution. 100% up to 3% of compensation, plus 50% match between 3% and 5%. Immediately vested.
• Flexible Paid Time-Off, Sick leave and Company Holidays
• Company Paid Two-weeks Winter Break
• Flexible Hybrid Work Model
• Chef prepared Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at Palo Alto office

Pay transparency

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 145,000/year-210,000/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.

EEO Statement

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.