Job Description

X-ray Source & Electron-Optics Design

• Design and model electron gun architectures (thermionic, field emission, or other advanced emitters) with emphasis on beam quality, focusing, brightness, and stability.
• Develop electrostatic and magnetic lens systems, beam shaping elements, and electron-optical column architectures.
• Perform charged particle trajectory simulations (e.g., using COMSOL, CST, SIMION, etc.) to optimize beam transport, spot size, and landing characteristics.
• Design and evaluate target materials, geometries, and cooling strategies to optimize X-ray generation efficiency and spectral characteristics.

Fundamental Electron–Target Interaction Research

• Model electron energy deposition, bremsstrahlung yield, characteristic line emission, and thermal/mechanical load in X-ray targets.
• Investigate novel target concepts (rotating, liquid metal, multilayer, nanostructured, etc.) to enhance flux, brightness, and lifetime.
• Develop experimental setups to characterize X-ray output, stability, and source degradation pathways.

Prototype Development & Characterization

• Lead the build, testing, and iteration of source prototypes, including electron optical assemblies, targets, housings, and diagnostic instrumentation.
• Quantitatively characterize beam properties, X-ray spectra, flux, temporal stability, and thermal behavior.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, software, and system engineering teams to ensure compatibility and readiness for system level integration.

System Level Integration & Collaboration

• Work with imaging system architects to ensure alignment between source performance and overall imaging requirements (resolution, contrast, speed).
• Support integration into instrument platforms, including vacuum interfaces, alignment tolerances, power electronics, and control algorithms.
• Contribute to development of source health monitoring, control loops, and advanced source stabilization strategies.

Scientific Leadership & Project Management

• Own research projects from conception through execution, including planning, risk assessment, and reporting.
• Mentor junior engineers, interns, and visiting researchers in electron optics and X-ray source physics.
• Foster innovation culture within ADD by identifying emerging technologies and strategic opportunities.

• PhD or Master’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field with specialization in electron optics, charged‑particle systems, vacuum devices, or radiation physics.
• Demonstrated experience designing or modeling electron guns, electron‑optical lenses, or charged‑particle transport systems.
• Experience with X‑ray generation, X‑ray targets, high‑vacuum systems, or miniaturized radiation sources strongly preferred. Experience in X‑ray tomography systems preferred.
• Hands‑on prototype development, experimental setup design, and quantitative characterization experience.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and marketing teams.
• Fluency in English is required, including technical terminology.
• 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).