SSRL Beam Line Operations Engineer

SLAC Job Postings

Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a SLAC Directorate at Stanford University, is a national scientific user facility. SSRL operates ~30 x-ray/ultra-violet beam lines used to conduct research in areas such as microelectronics; energy storage; 3D printing of metals; biological and medical science; Earth science; sustainability and materials science. Each beam line is tailored to specific techniques to probe the structure and function of matter from atomic to mm scales and over a range of time scales, necessitating a highly varied approach to instrumentation, sample environment control and data acquisition. The beam line experiment stations are made available to the international scientific user community with SSRL staff providing scientific and technical support in their use.

Position Overview

SSRL is seeking an outstanding Beam Line Operations Engineer to be part of a dynamic scientific research environment. In this position, you will provide technical support and operational oversight for the experimental facility, beam lines, and experimental equipment; design, prototype and commission electro-optical-mechanical systems and components; identify need and provide solutions for process improvements; create technical documents and user manuals; provide support for visiting scientists and SSRL scientific and engineering staff.

This position requires working a rotating shift schedule nine months of the year. This is not a remote-work position.

Your Specific Responsibilities Include

• Serve as a key interface between user groups, experiment support groups and operations groups.
• Confirm required administrative procedures are complete before authorizing user groups to operate SSRL beam lines.
• Communicate and enforce compliance with safety policies and procedures.
• Deliver safety and orientation talk to new users.
• Monitor configuration control of beam line protection and personnel protection systems.
• Assist with user technical support and facility response to issues affecting beam line and user operations.
• Troubleshoot and repair complex equipment and systems.
• Assist with installation, commissioning and troubleshooting of synchrotron radiation beam lines and associated subsystems (complex electro-optical-mechanical, cryogenic-vacuum and control systems).
• Collaborate with senior engineers and scientists in the development, design, prototyping, procurement and commissioning of novel and special purpose scientific equipment.
• Operation and maintenance of specialized scientific/industrial equipment.
• Procure and maintain tools, equipment, and chemicals associated with experimental and engineering projects.Maintain and supply shared workspaces.
• Create and maintain technical documents and user manuals.
• Other duties may also be assigned.
• Shift work is required.
  
  

To Be Successful In This Position You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineer, mechatronics, physics, chemistry or related field and two years of highly technical experience in a laboratory or industrial environment; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Operate and troubleshoot sophisticated electro-optical-mechanical and logic control systems.
• Extensive use of hand tools, specialized tools and techniques in the assembly and operation of precision complex electro-optical-mechanical systems; handling of delicate instruments and materials.
• Design, development and prototyping of scientific or industrial equipment and systems.
• Mechanical design and fabrication drawing creation using solids modeling software such as SolidWorks or SolidEdge. Kinematic design and understanding of machining and other fabrication techniques as they relate to mechanical systems design.
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as work unsupervised within strict procedural guidelines.
• Collaborate with a diverse work group of visiting scientists, staff, students, faculty, and outside vendors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Professionalism and strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  
  

In Addition, Preferred Requirements Include

• Scientific/industrial plumbing/tubing: specification, design, procurement and installation.
• Machine shop: mill, lathe, bandsaw, drill press etc.
• Python programming or automation skills.
  
  

SLAC Employee Competencies

• Effective Decisions: Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.
• Self-Development: Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.
• Dependability: Can be counted on to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.
• Initiative: Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward.
• Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
• Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages.
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.
  
  

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
  
  

Work Standards

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1 General Policy and Responsibilities: http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu
• Classification Title: Staff Engineer 2
• Job code: 0132 Grade: K
• Duration: Continuing
  
  

The expected pay range for this position is $116,000 - $170,000 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.