Applied Physicist – Radiation Effects Test Lab

Applied Physicist – Radiation Effects Test Lab

Colorado Springs, CO | Full-time, on-site $85,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Help run a fusion neutron source and build the custom hardware we use to find out whether electronics, sensors, and materials will survive nuclear and space radiation environments.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys moving between physics, mechanical, and electrical work in the same week: designing a fixture in the morning, wiring up its instrumentation after lunch, and seeing it in a radiation test soon after. Your work will directly support defense and aerospace programs that depend on electronics working when it matters most.

WHO WE ARE

Fifth Gait Technologies is a minority woman-owned small business, founded in 2007, specializing in radiation effects and survivability engineering. From our facility in Colorado Springs, our engineers and scientists develop and test microelectronics, electro-optical and infrared sensors, detectors, and embedded systems for government agencies, prime contractors, and commercial partners.

We are a small team of engineers and scientists, which means broad exposure, real ownership of your work, and colleagues across multiple disciplines who are known for solving problems that don’t fit neatly into one box.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Operate and maintain our fusion neutron source, and help plan and run radiation effects test campaigns
• Design and build custom test equipment, fixtures, motion systems, and data acquisition hardware
• Automate tests and collect and analyze test data using Python, microcontrollers, and other embedded tools
• Design prototypes and fixtures in SolidWorks and produce them through 3D printing and hands-on fabrication
• Support radiation safety and dosimetry practices under the direction of our Radiation Safety Officer
• Maintain and troubleshoot laboratory test equipment

WHAT YOU NEED

• B.S. in Physics or Engineering, or equivalent real-world experience
• 4+ years of related hands-on work experience
• You thrive as a jack of all trades in a hands-on environment
• U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a DoD security clearance. You don’t need a clearance to apply; we’ll sponsor it.

NICE TO HAVE

You don’t need all of these. If you have some of them and are eager to learn the rest, we want to hear from you.

• Radiation dosimetry procedures and practices
• SolidWorks CAD, especially designing parts for 3D printing
• Hands-on mechanical fabrication and assembly
• Design and assembly of electrical wiring, controls, sensors, motors, actuators, and instrumentation
• Familiarity with PLCs, microcontrollers, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or embedded systems (you don’t need to be an expert)
• Basic Python programming or scripting
• Bonus points if you’ve ever explained neutron flux to a relative at Thanksgiving

SAFETY

Working around radiation is part of this job, and so is doing it safely. All radiation work is performed under our radiation safety program, led by our Radiation Safety Officer, with training and personal dosimetry monitoring provided.

THE DETAILS

• Location: Colorado Springs, CO (on-site; this is a hands-on lab role)
• Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours/week
• Pay: $85,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience
• Benefits: Company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; annual bonuses; retirement plan with company matching and profit sharing; four weeks of paid time off as well as 11 paid federal holidays.

Fifth Gait Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Pay: $85,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person