Senior Engineer, Accelerator Service Support

Overview

Are you looking to be part of a game-changing organization that has the potential to help cure cancer? NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes is seeking individuals with a pro-active, collaborative, can-do mindset to join our rapidly growing team.

NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes is a growing, commercial-stage company focused on advancing patient care by providing therapeutic radioisotopes and novel radiopharmaceuticals to detect and treat cancer, and customized radiopharmaceutical development services.

Innovative technology, opportunities for career advancement, and competitive compensation are just the beginning. NorthStar offers health and life insurance, 401K match, paid holidays, and paid time off, and all NorthStar employees are eligible on day one for our annual bonus and equity incentive plans.

Position

The Senior Engineer, Accelerator Service Support is responsible for overseeing routine maintenance and repair activities for our particle (electron) accelerators and their supporting systems/equipment; this includes planning, organizing, leading, training, and/or executing maintenance and repair on these systems. This position will also support the commissioning and installation of accelerators and supporting systems/equipment, as well as the development of procedures for associated maintenance and troubleshooting. This position must actively manage these activities with limited production downtime and available department resources.

This position supports production in a 24-hour manufacturing facility and may require evenings, overnights, weekends, and some holidays.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, schedule, lead, and/or execute major maintenance, repairs, and upgrade project work for accelerators and associated support systems, including electronic equipment, electro-pneumatic systems, high vacuum systems, deionized chilled water systems, high voltage, target, and high-power RF systems.
• Support the management of spare parts for the accelerators and associated support systems.
• Collaborate closely with the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and Health Physics teams to coordinate timing of planned system maintenance, repairs and upgrades to minimize disruption to production.
• Report and document interventions and actions undertaken with the required level of details and accuracy.
• Develop and author preventative maintenance and troubleshooting procedures for accelerator and supporting systems/equipment.
• Monitor trend, analyze, and track performance data of the accelerators and associated support systems.
• Provide timely information to Operations and other key stakeholders regarding systems/equipment performance and status.
• Develop and provide technical service training for Accelerator Operators and other support personnel.
• Provide after-hours in person or on-call support to the site as needed.
• Partner with RSO and EHS to ensure procedures, work instructions, and training comply with all appropriate safety regulations.
• Propose solutions that improve systems/equipment reliability, operability and safety in collaboration with Engineering.

Qualifications

Minimum Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Physics, or relevant area of study and minimum four (4) years of relevant progressive experience within a cGMP or other highly regulated environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Knowledge and experience with the operation of an accelerator, nuclear reactor, or other radiation-producing devices.
• Ability to understand the detailed theory of operation for most accelerator systems.
• Working knowledge of digital and analog circuitry.
• Ability to interpret mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Working knowledge of various troubleshooting/analysis tools. Proficient use of diagnostic instrumentation and equipment such as DVMs, Oscilloscopes, Micrometers, etc.

Preferred Education/Experience:

Master’s Degree or PhD in Engineering, Physics or relevant area of study and relevant progressive experience within a cGMP or other highly regulated environment

• Experience in radiopharmaceutical production.
• Experience working with vacuum, pneumatic, hydraulic, and water cooling systems.
• Experience working with helium and ultrasonic leak test equipment

Working Conditions

Physical demands may include, but not be limited to, specific vision abilities including near vision/acuity and visual color discrimination.

The work environment may include exposure to a heated/air-conditioned indoor office / manufacturing / cleanroom setting with adequate ventilation and lighting and outdoor environments with varying temperatures.  The noise level may vary from quiet to loud. Employees must be willing and able to wear various types of PPE, including, but not limited to, respirators, gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing, as required by the job to ensure safety in potentially hazardous conditions.  Specific cleanroom requirements include employees needing to inform leadership about any health condition that may have an adverse effect on products, as well as compliance with gowning protocols.  This means all jewelry, including physically attached items, must not interfere with the effectiveness of personal protective equipment.  In addition, all cosmetics, fragranced products (perfumes, aftershave, etc.), and nail products are prohibited, including clear nail polish, artificial nails, and nail extenders. 

The company is a radiopharmaceutical manufacturer and radiation may be present in manufacturing and laboratory areas. Employees may be required to be monitored using company provided dosimetry and bioassay testing.

Location

NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes is headquartered in Beloit, Wis. This location is our primary manufacturing site and accommodates all of our corporate functions. Beloit has small city charm, with a lively and renovated downtown, yet is also close to cities such as Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, and Rockford.

Beloit is a part of the larger South Central Wisconsin/Northern Illinois region, which offers residents and visitors alike a unique blend of urban opportunities and rural, natural beauty. The area, therefore, offers collections of natural, educational, artistic, and historical attractions alongside a wide variety of sporting and social opportunities. There are several cities and many towns within a reasonable commute of Beloit, which offer a wide choice of residential styles and a large number of school district choices for those considering relocation.

NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.