Electrical Engineer - High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program

The High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) is seeking an experienced electrical engineer to provide research instrument, general facilities, power plant, and utilities engineering support. The electrical engineer plays a critical role in ensuring the maintenance and operation of all IRI transmitters, transmitter shelters, and systems, as well as antenna towers and radio frequency (RF) power electronics. The ideal candidate will have experience in electrical engineering principles, RF engineering, and high-power transmitter maintenance, with a focus on troubleshooting, readiness, and safety.

We're searching for an RF Engineer to support high-power transmitter systems and AC power distribution (up to 480 VAC, 3-phase). You’ll lead RF performance testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance using advanced test equipment, and work with PLCs, fiber optics, and LAN systems to ensure reliable operation.

This role requires a strong background in electrical and RF engineering, safety compliance, and project oversight. You should be comfortable working in remote, physically demanding environments, including rooftops, confined spaces, and extreme weather. Strong communication, decision-making, and collaboration skills are key.

If you're a hands-on engineer who thrives in complex, high-stakes settings, we’d love to connect.

The High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) is the world’s most capable high-power, high-frequency (HF) transmitter for studying the ionosphere. The principal instrument is the Ionospheric Research Instrument (IRI), a phased array of 180 HF crossed-dipole antennas spread across 33 acres and capable of radiating 3.6 megawatts into the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. The goal of the research at HAARP is to conduct fundamental studies of the physical processes at work in the uppermost portions of our atmosphere, known as the thermosphere and ionosphere.

The Geophysical Institute’s HAARP site supports the National Science Foundation’s Subauroral Geophysical Observatory (SAGO), a research laboratory dedicated to exploring Earth’s upper atmosphere and geospace environment.

The HAARP program is managed out of the Troth Yeddha’ Campus in Fairbanks and operated at the Gakona site in support of UAF’s mission to be a student-centered, research university.

This position will be physically located in Gakona, Alaska. 

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor of Science in any of the engineering disciplines or architecture may be required, or any combination of applicable advanced education and experience. Certification in building code courses, contract law, facilities management, utilities management, and construction courses may be substituted for a degree. Professional registration in the state of Alaska, or the ability to obtain registration within 12 months of employment, may be required.

-A Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering is required from an accredited engineering program or an equivalent combination of training and experience is preferred.
-Five years of progressively responsible work experience in an engineering or similar industrial environment, or an equivalent combination of training and experience, is preferred.

Position Details:

This is a full-time, exempt staff position, accompanied by a competitive salary and a comprehensive employee benefits package. UA offers a comprehensive compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and their family members, and affordable medical, dental, and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 80 with an 11% geographic location differential, based on education and experience.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a successful candidate is identified. 

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Lisa Piechocki, GI Human Resources Senior Advisor, at lrpiechocki@alaska.edu or 907-474-7194.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background check. This position also requires a clean driving record.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaging in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214, or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person at the Hendrickson Building, Suite 202, on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or by emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.