Homegrown Technology
Together, we compose a creative, dynamic team with innovative thinking and smart solutions.
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Starfire Industries produces the nGen® and Centurion® ultra-compact particle accelerators used for medical therapy, environmental sensing, nuclear security, and non-destructive imaging. Starfire produces the IMPULSE® and RADION™ pulsed power plasma sources and systems used for nuclear fuel fabrication, superconductor coatings, semiconductor EUV lithography, lightweight electric vehicle assembly, high-temperature aerospace materials, and thin-film deposition and etching applications. Our industry-changing solutions are designed, manufactured, and delivered from their headquarters in Champaign, Illinois to end-users across six continents and Earth orbit.
Since graduating from the EnterpriseWorks startup incubator at Research Park at the University of Illinois in 2009, Starfire Industries has grown from concept research & development to manufacturing plasma sources, neutron generators and high-voltage power supplies for a range of industries. In 2022, Starfire relocated its headquarters to an impressive 194,000 square foot technology center. The 3310 N. Duncan Road expansion will enable greater on-site collaborative partnerships, direct services to end-users under strategic supplier agreements, manufacturing and global distribution. This production facility is used for the commercial manufacturing of IMPULSE® pulse modules and thin-film coatings, advanced Radion™ plasma sources, Centurion® particle accelerators and nGen® neutron generator hardware. Join our crew! Be part of a team making impact worldwide in energy, healthcare, environment, aerospace, electronics, automotive, and many others! |
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Starfire is People
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The Starfire team is made of individuals with experience and expertise working together to propel us forward. We have several PhDs in nuclear and plasma engineering as well as engineers from electrical, mechanical, materials and aerospace fields.
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Starfire team members have wide-ranging backgrounds in metal fabrication, welding, art, missile defense, business administration, project management, design for manufacturing, ultra high vacuum systems, high voltage, computer simulation, fluid flow, electromagenetics, control systems, archaeology, creative writing and even culinary school! It takes a diverse set of skills to make the impossible possible.
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Together, we compose a creative, dynamic team with innovative thinking and smart solutions.
Brian JurczykCEO
Dual PhD/MBA |
Robert StubbersCTO
PhD - Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering |
Darren AlmanResearch Engineer
PhD - Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering |
Matt CoventryResearch Engineer
PhD - Nuclear Engineering |
Tom HoulahanResearch Engineer
PhD - Electrical Engineering |
Ivan Shchelkanov
Research Engineer
PhD - Plasma Physics |
Doug MetteDirector of Products
and Operations |
Mariana MaybellDirector of Finance
and Accounting |
Erica TimsOffice Manager and HR/Admin Assistant
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Frank PapaImpulse Applications and
Sales Manager |
Ready for Something New?
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Staff Accountant
Starfire Industries, LLC has an opening for a bookkeeper with a very flexible and adaptable schedule to meet both party’s needs. The successful candidate will work side-by-side with our Director of Finance & Accounting and Office Manager. Strong computer knowledge, communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines is a must. Familiarity with federal contracting is desired. Experience with QuickBooks is key requirement, electronic timekeeping and recordkeeping for audit-traceability is critical. Firm foundation in Microsoft Excel and experience with Office 365 and TEAMS is a plus. The position is flexible to accommodate half-time (~20hrs/week) or full-time employment depending on the candidate.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Support cost tracking, AP and AR, and account reconciliations
- Assist with financial data entry and generating financial reports
- Maintain electronic and paper filing systems
- Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.
- Assist in compliance with federal and state policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Support external and internal audits
- Directly report to the Director of Finance & Accounting
- Support Office Manager with administrative tasks as needed
- Other duties as assigned
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Required Qualifications:
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Desired Qualifications:
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To apply, send resume and cover letter to [email protected].
Applicant must be a U.S. Person and eligible to work on restricted U.S. Government projects or obtain security clearance.
Electronics Assembly Technician
Starfire Industries, LLC has an immediate opening for full-time Electronics Assembly Technicians to support our our particle accelerator (nGen® and Centurion®) production and support our pulsed plasma (RADION and IMPULSE®) manufacturing. This person will work alongside existing technicians and engineers as production demand increases. The successful candidate will possess good communication skills, be detail oriented, enjoy working with their hands, be able to exercise their professional judgment, take pride in their work, and be willing to assist others as needed.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Pull parts and deduct from inventory
- Stage parts for batch production workflow
- Document work performed per sub-assembly or finished product
- Frequent use of small hand tools required for assembly, e.g., crimpers, screw drivers, soldering iron, etc.
- Manufacturing of custom cables per either verbal or documented work instructions
- Final assembly of boards, cables, etc., into chassis and prepare for testing
- Assist with preparation and packaging of finished goods for shipment to customers, e.g., cleaning, boxing, labeling, etc.
- Frequent and upbeat communication with all members of the team, e.g., engineers, production techs, and management
- Have a safety-first attitude while realizing the importance of getting the job done in a timely fashion
- Assist with other production related activities as needed
- Promotes safety, cleanliness, and organization in the workplace
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Required Qualifications:
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Desired Qualifications:
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To apply, send resume and cover letter to [email protected].
Applicant must be a U.S. person and eligible to work on U.S. Government projects or obtain security clearance.
Materials Production Assistant
Starfire Industries, LLC has an immediate opening for a full-time Materials Production Assistant as part of our IMPULSE® pulsed power supply division. This is a newly created position and will focus on administrative related functions. The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills, be detail oriented, exercise a “hands-on” approach, and be willing to assist others as needed.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Prepare, package, and ship final assemblies to customers after final test, e.g., cleaning, boxing, labeling, unit tracking, notifications to accounts receivable, etc.
- Receiving, unpacking, and preliminary assessment of any returned units as part of the RMA (returned material authorization) process
- Prepare unit job traveler paperwork for the purpose of WIP (work in progress) documentation and filing of hard copies after completion of work
- Data entry for electronic record keeping and planning purposes, e.g., customer purchase orders, return material authorizations, etc.
- Perform regular inventory inspections and updates to inventory system to help ensure no lapse of production necessary BOM (bill of materials) items
- Perform purchasing of approved BOM items and production related materials. Final approval to purchase will be granted by manufacturing engineering followed by management
- Communicate with vendors/suppliers for tracking of shipment delays, any non-conforming material, vendor returns, etc.
- Responsible for the upkeep, organization, identification, and tracking of inventory, e.g., parts bins, stock locations, inventory software, wayfinding, etc.
- Frequent and upbeat communication with all members of the Impulse team, e.g., engineers, production techs, and management
- Have a safety-first attitude while realizing the importance of getting the job done in a timely fashion
- Assist in the creation and maintenance of work instructions, procedures, and other documentation
- Assist with other production related activities as needed
- Promotes safety, cleanliness, and organization in the workplace
- Tracking and presentation to management of assigned KPI metrics, e.g., production throughput, unit material/labor costs, department goals, etc.
- Reports to the Director of Products and Operations
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Required Qualifications:
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Desired Qualifications:
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To apply, send resume and cover letter to [email protected].
Salary commensurate with experience. Immediate start date.
This position is restricted to U.S. Persons only.
Electrical Engineer: Switched-Mode Pulsed Power Microelectronics
Starfire Industries, LLC is adding to our technical team to support applied R&D and production activities. We seek a person with experience with high-voltage SiC power electronics, >kHz passive component selection, and circuit design using Altium/KiCAD to apply knowledge company-wide. Building on your base skill set in design, layout, fabrication, test and measurement, we will provide job-specific training unique to our products and technologies. You will enjoy “hands-on” work and being part of an applied engineering team.
Job Summary:
Responsible for component selection, circuit layout, assembly, testing, debugging, and validation for high-voltage switching subsystems working closely with R&D for system-level prototype integration. Primary role is supporting IMPULSE® product development and its associated systems. Support production teams as needed.
Responsible for component selection, circuit layout, assembly, testing, debugging, and validation for high-voltage switching subsystems working closely with R&D for system-level prototype integration. Primary role is supporting IMPULSE® product development and its associated systems. Support production teams as needed.
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Primary Responsibilities:
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Required Qualifications:
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Desired:
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To apply, send resume and cover letter to [email protected].
Salary commensurate with experience. Immediate start date.
This position is restricted to U.S. Persons only.
Electrical Engineer: Microwave/RF Power Electronics
Starfire Industries, LLC is adding to our technical team to support applied R&D and production activities. We seek a person with RF/microwave power electronics and electrical hardware systems experience eager to apply knowledge company-wide. Building on your base skill set with solid-state LDMOS/GaN or tube amplifiers and electronics aptitude building RF drivetrains, we will provide job-specific training unique to our products and technologies. You will enjoy “hands-on” work and being part of an applied science team.
Job Summary:
Responsible for component selection, circuit layout, assembly, testing, debugging, and validation for RF/MW subsystems working closely with R&D for system-level prototype integration. Primary role Centurion® and support for nGen® and RADION™ product lines. Support production teams as needed.
Responsible for component selection, circuit layout, assembly, testing, debugging, and validation for RF/MW subsystems working closely with R&D for system-level prototype integration. Primary role Centurion® and support for nGen® and RADION™ product lines. Support production teams as needed.
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Primary Responsibilities:
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Required Qualifications:
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Desired:
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To apply, send resume and cover letter to [email protected].
Salary commensurate with experience. Immediate start date.
This position is restricted to U.S. Persons only.
Senior Applied Research Engineer or Scientist
Starfire Industries, LLC has an immediate opening for a Senior PhD-level research engineer/scientist to lead critical applied R&D projects or systems development related to our advanced IMPULSE® next-generation HiPIMS thin-film deposition/etch hardware and advanced ICM and Radial Magnetron™ coating technologies, RADION™ microwave cold-plasma sources for PECVD, PEALD and etching, nGen® portable sealed neutron generators for downhole well logging, agricultural soil characterization, homeland security and industrial inspection, and Centurion® ultra-compact RFQ linear accelerators for proton cancer therapy, medical radioisotope production and advanced neutron imaging and materials analysis.
The successful candidate will demonstrate leadership of development teams for applied research or industrial product development, ability to work under pressure, effectively communicate results, meet deadlines and manage a diverse team across many disciplines and resource areas. Hands-on testing experience with microelectronics, power electronics, digital/analog communications plasma sources, materials testing, and data analysis & visualization. Experience with COMSOL, HFSS, CST Studio or other electromagnetic codes is a plus.
Starfire is a leading manufacturer of IMPULSE® pulsed power modules and RADION™ plasma sources for thin-film deposition systems, and nGen® portable neutron generators and Centurion® compact particle accelerators for industrial, medical and diagnostic imaging. We are a fast-paced, small-company atmosphere with an opportunity to work with an incredible team, contribute to multiple products in development/production and make an impact. Starfire is currently located in Champaign, IL on the Research Park at the University of Illinois in a 20,000 sq. ft. facility.
This position is eligible to earn an “on-the-job” Masters of Engineering (M.Eng.) Degree through a professional program between Starfire and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Plasma Engineering or Electrical Engineering. If eligible and meeting requirements, Starfire will reimburse tuition costs for the M.Eng. while working 75% full time over a two-year period. The M.Eng. capstone project will be directly relevant to work at Starfire. In certain circumstances there is the potential to directly pursue a Doctoral Degree through a thesis Master’s program—please inquire for additional details.
The successful candidate will demonstrate leadership of development teams for applied research or industrial product development, ability to work under pressure, effectively communicate results, meet deadlines and manage a diverse team across many disciplines and resource areas. Hands-on testing experience with microelectronics, power electronics, digital/analog communications plasma sources, materials testing, and data analysis & visualization. Experience with COMSOL, HFSS, CST Studio or other electromagnetic codes is a plus.
Starfire is a leading manufacturer of IMPULSE® pulsed power modules and RADION™ plasma sources for thin-film deposition systems, and nGen® portable neutron generators and Centurion® compact particle accelerators for industrial, medical and diagnostic imaging. We are a fast-paced, small-company atmosphere with an opportunity to work with an incredible team, contribute to multiple products in development/production and make an impact. Starfire is currently located in Champaign, IL on the Research Park at the University of Illinois in a 20,000 sq. ft. facility.
This position is eligible to earn an “on-the-job” Masters of Engineering (M.Eng.) Degree through a professional program between Starfire and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Plasma Engineering or Electrical Engineering. If eligible and meeting requirements, Starfire will reimburse tuition costs for the M.Eng. while working 75% full time over a two-year period. The M.Eng. capstone project will be directly relevant to work at Starfire. In certain circumstances there is the potential to directly pursue a Doctoral Degree through a thesis Master’s program—please inquire for additional details.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead key R&D efforts to support product and system development in ultra-compact particle accelerator and pulsed power systems
- Provide guidance and technical management to an applied engineering team across concurrent projects at different stages of development from early R&D through late-stage prototyping
- Develop research strategies, actively engage in both the laboratory and prototype design and production environment, and support testing and data analysis
- Support the management team with technical reporting, resource allocation and communicating with our customers, suppliers and development partners
- Engage with customers and end-users to better understand their requirements to enable our products to be safer, more effective and add long-term value
- Communicate effectively (oral, written, electronic) including technical mentorship
- Bring positive energy and enthusiasm to every challenge and inspire people to excel and build trust in each other
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Required Qualifications:
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Desired Qualifications:
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To apply, send resume and cover letter to [email protected].
Applicant must be a U.S. person and eligible to work on U.S. Government projects or obtain security clearance.
Applicant must be a U.S. person and eligible to work on U.S. Government projects or obtain security clearance.
