High Voltage Electrical Engineer

Location:

La Jolla, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093, United States

Filing Deadline:
Fri 3/13/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment:
Apply by 11/23/2025 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants:
Apply by 12/4/2025. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

This position will remain opened until filled.

Uses skills as a seasoned engineering professional in a specialized field to support pulsed plasma research at UC San Diego. Applying advanced engineering concepts, the incumbent provides a full range of professional services involving the design, analysis, development, fabrication, testing, and maintenance of high-voltage and high-current pulsed power systems. Assignments require deep subject-matter knowledge relevant to research objectives and methodologies to establish sound high voltage engineering design criteria.

Demonstrates strong judgment in selecting methods and techniques to achieve reliable and safe solutions, including performing and overseeing complex mechanical and electrical engineering work associated with high voltage pulsed plasma experiments and ensuring proper maintenance of laboratory systems and equipment.

In collaboration with faculty and researchers, the engineer contributes to the design, development, and testing of high voltage experimental equipment and diagnostic systems used in plasma research. The position also provides technical direction to laboratory personnel and students, promotes adherence to safety protocols, and oversees diagnostic operations and data collection. Serving as the laboratory's safety coordinator, the incumbent ensures that all high-voltage and general lab safety procedures are rigorously followed, supporting the continued success and safety of UC San Diego's experimental research programs.

• Thorough knowledge and experience with engineering principles and methods to independently perform the full range of engineering professional design work. Graduation from college with major work in engineering and three years of engineering experience including one year of responsible design work or an equivalent combination of additional education and experience.
• Thorough knowledge necessary to apply principles, practices and procedures in the completion of assignments. Strong experience in creating professional engineering production drawings and schematics for equipment used in high vacuum, high pressure and high voltage Plasma physics research experiments.
• Demonstrated organizational and decision-making abilities to prioritize competing work assignments in order to meet deadlines and adherence to quality standards. Demonstrated experience in analyzing and solving technical problems related to mechanical and electrical systems used in fusion energy and other plasma physics experiments including repairing and testing of systems in a timely manner.
• Strong analytical and judgment skills to independently conduct analyses and develop appropriate recommendations. Proven experience with independent decision-making and interpretations of research data.
• Effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills to communicate with other staff, students and researchers. Must be proficient in English to compose reports and presentations.
• Ability to work in a collaborative manner; identify challenges and barriers and recommend resolutions. Good interpersonal skills including tact, good judgment, diplomacy and flexibility to professionally interact with a diverse scientific academic researchers, professional staff, students and vendors.
• Ability to lead and influence others.
• In depth knowledge of and demonstrated experience in using machine shop equipment/tools such as a mill, lathe, drill press, tig welder, brazing equipment and metal cutting machines.
• Demonstrated experience in use of plasma etcher facility, including performance of plasma-related experiments and other research data collection techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in operation and maintenance of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
• In depth knowledge and extensive experience in working with ultra high vacuum components as well as high pressure and high voltage equipment.
• In depth knowledge of and demonstrated experience with material properties used extensively in fabricating experimental equipment used in fusion physics research.
• Demonstrated experience with reporting research results and findings through presentations and publications.
• Strong, demonstrated experience with…