Senior Source Scientist (control electronics)

The Senior Source Scientist leads research, prototyping, and quantitative characterization of next generation X-ray source technologies with a specialized focus on high voltage (HV) electronics, precision power delivery, and closed loop control systems. This role emphasizes the design and optimization of high voltage electron-optical subsystems, power electronics architectures, and real-time control strategies that ensure stable, high performance X-ray generation.

You will define the technical agenda for HV subsystem development—covering emission power supplies, control firmware, beam stabilization electronics, and advanced diagnostic and protection circuits. Your contributions will directly advance source reliability, stability, spectral quality, lifetime, and integration into next generation X-ray microscopy platforms.

• Design, model, and validate high voltage power supplies, emission drivers, and beam control electronics (20–200 kV typical range).
• Develop fast response power conditioning and filtering architectures to ensure beam stability, low ripple, and precise emission control.
• Architect fault tolerant HV systems including arc detection, soft-start strategies, protection circuits, and thermal limit handling.
• Collaborate with electrical and safety teams to ensure compliance with HV safety standards, insulation requirements, and regulatory constraints.

Control Systems & Source Stabilization

• Design closed loop control algorithms for electron-beam current, voltage regulation, spot stabilization, and thermal management.
• Develop embedded control firmware, FPGA/MCU logic, and diagnostic interfaces for real-time monitoring of HV subsystems.
• Integrate sensor networks (current monitors, thermal sensors, vacuum gauges, X-ray detectors) into robust, intelligent control architectures.
• Prototype advanced stabilization techniques such as active feedback loops, feed‑forward compensation, and predictive control models.

Electron-Optics & Target Interaction (with HV focus)

• Work with electron-optics designers to ensure HV architectures and control systems support optimal beam formation, focusing, and landing characteristics.
• Model high voltage interactions affecting electron target performance, including emission stability, energy deposition, and degradation pathways.
• Support the development of target assemblies compatible with advanced HV control schemes and high-power deposition scenarios.

Prototype Development & System Integration

• Lead the build and validation of HV electronic assemblies, control boards, interlocks, high voltage feedthroughs, and diagnostic systems.
• Conduct quantitative testing of power supply performance, stability under load, noise spectra, transient behavior, and feedback loop response.
• Collaborate with mechanical, software, and system engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of HV and control subsystems into full X-ray instruments.

Scientific Leadership & Technical Program Ownership

• Own HV electronics and control system projects from concept through prototype demonstration, including planning, risk analysis, and reporting.
• Mentor engineers and interns in power electronics design, embedded controls, and instrumentation physics.
• Drive innovation by identifying emerging HV technologies, advanced control architectures, and strategic opportunities for differentiation.

• PhD or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field with specialization in high voltage electronics, power systems, embedded control, or charged particle devices.
• Demonstrated experience designing or modeling HV power supplies, precision analog circuits, control systems, or radiation source electronics.
• Experience with electron guns, electron-optical lenses, vacuum devices, or Xray generation strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with prototype electronics development, test automation, HV diagnostics, and control system characterization.
• Fluency in English is required, including technical terms.
• Ability to work with and understand the work product of team members from all R&D-related departments, as well as Manufacturing and Marketing. Exceptional communication skills to resolve technical challenges between mechanical, electrical and software engineering, advanced development, manufacturing and marketing.

The annual pay range for this position is $140,000 – $175,000

The pay offered for this role may be influenced by factors such as job location, scope of role, qualifications, education, experience, & complexity/specialization/scarcity of talent.

This position is also eligible for a performance bonus or sales commissions.  ZEISS also offers robust benefits, including medical plans, retirement savings plan and paid time off.

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

Tina Eilerman

Zeiss provides Equal Employment Opportunity without unlawful regard to an Applicants race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, citizen status, sexual orientation, pregnancy (includes childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical condition), genetic predisposition, carrier status, gender expression or identity, including transgender identity, or any other class or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law of the employee (or the people with whom the employee associates, including relatives and friends).