Radiation Effects Scientist
Job description
About the role
You will derive requirements and documentation that define verification approaches for electronics and opto-electronics products and new designs. You will own the planning and execution of radiation effects testing campaigns, ensuring rigorous methodology and reproducible results across hardware qualification activities. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams in coordinating test schedules and execution to align with program objectives for both electronics and opto-electronics product lines. Your work will directly inform internal and customer design reviews, where radiation effects and mitigation strategies for space systems are evaluated. You will assess product solutions against requirements and clearly articulate findings to influence decisions for current and future Voyager programs. You will maintain detailed records of experiments and analysis, treating lab notebooks and version-controlled code as primary assets for traceability and review. You will exercise hands-on expertise with electrical test equipment and measurement instruments to ensure reliable data collection for electronic and opto-electronic parts.
Key facts
What you'll do
Demonstrate proficiency with measurement instruments to ensure reliable data collection and analysis for electronics and opto-electronics products and new designs.
Apply expertise to inform test planning and risk management for electronic and opto-electronic parts across Voyager programs.
Execute radiation test campaigns as part of multi-disciplinary teams under coordinated leadership, building schedules and managing execution.
Align campaign timelines and procedures with program objectives to keep electronics and opto-electronics testing on track and relevant.
Participate in internal and customer design reviews that assess radiation effects and mitigation strategies for space systems.
Evaluate product solutions against requirements and contribute to decisions for current and future Voyager electronics and opto-electronics programs.
Bring hands-on experience with electrical test equipment and show capability to perform radiation effects testing of electronic parts.
Maintain detailed documentation of test methods, results, and interpretations to support traceability and reproducibility.
Interpret complex data sets to assess radiation-induced effects and communicate findings clearly to technical stakeholders.
Support qualification activities by applying knowledge of radiation test facilities, dosimetry equipment, and data analysis platforms.
Collaborate with engineers and scientists to integrate radiation effects insights into design recommendations and verification plans.
Champion methodical testing practices that uphold rigor, reproducibility, and clarity in reporting for research and product development.
Requirements
The posting states a pay range of $165000 to $205000.
Hold a BS in Physics or electrical engineering with 4 years or more of relevant experience, or an MS or Ph.D. with relevant research or work experience.
Demonstrate a solid understanding of radiation effects on electronic and optoelectronic parts, which underpins effective requirements, test planning, and result interpretation for space systems.
Show direct working knowledge or a demonstrated capacity to perform radiation effects testing of electronic parts, supporting methodical testing and accurate data evaluation.
Bring hands-on experience with electrical test equipment and the ability to operate measurement instruments for electronics and opto-electronics.
Possess U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or protected individual status to meet export and ITAR regulations.
Be eligible for required export authorizations as part of compliance with national security and technology transfer rules.
Commit to fully onsite engagement as specified for this role within the San Diego and Long Beach locations.
Nice to have
Experience with the satellite industry is highly desirable, as it helps navigate industry standards, interfaces, and mission environments for electronics and opto-electronics products.
Practical notes
citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or protected individual status is required to meet export and ITAR regulations. Travel may be required to support test campaigns or customer engagements. Typical interview steps
Research interviews usually include a presentation of past work, a technical discussion, and sometimes a research proposal exercise. Candidates may be asked to design a study or critique a method. Depth of understanding is tested more than speed. Interviewers often ask you to present your past work in depth. Being ready to defend every methodological choice is the core preparation.
Good to know
The role focuses on radiation effects within space, defense, and national security technology contexts. Common tools for this work include radiation test facilities, dosimetry equipment, and data analysis platforms. Professionals in this field typically work on hardware qualification, test planning, and failure mode analysis. The position operates within a structured engineering and product development environment. Collaboration across multidisciplinary teams is a regular part of the work.
Career growth
Research careers grow from junior researcher to senior scientist, principal, and lab or research director roles. Some people move into applied research and product work. Publication record or demonstrable impact drives progression, depending on the setting. Research careers reward a strong publication or delivery record. Applied research roles value impact on products as much as novelty.