Staff Engineer 3, Materials Science

Position overview:

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 that enable research in areas such as chemistry, catalysis, biology, medical, environmental, and materials sciences. Each beam line is tailored to specific techniques, spanning a specific x-ray or ultraviolet energy range, probing structure and function of matter from atomic to mm size level and over different time scales, necessitating a highly varied approach to instrumentation, sample environment and data acquisition. The beam line facilities are made available to an international scientific user community, with SSRL staff providing scientific and technical support in their use.

SSRL is seeking an outstanding Beam Line Operations Engineer to be part of a dynamic scientific/industrial 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 opto-electo-mechanical systems and components; identify need and provide solutions for process improvements; create technical documents and prepare formal reports and user manuals; provide support for visiting scientific users as well as scientific and engineering staff.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Maintain documentation related to protocols, and perform administrative duties related to equipment and systems associated with research or engineering projects, as assigned. Liaise between researchers, students, technical staff, scientists, vendors, and other university staff; serve as a resource, providing training and practical guidance.
• Establish, communicate, and enforce compliance with health and safety policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with senior engineers and scientists to design and develop special purpose equipment and/or systems.
• Assist with user technical support and initiates facility response to issues affecting beam line and user operations. Participate in the development, design, prototyping, procurement and commissioning of novel scientific equipment. Modify, repair, and troubleshoot complex equipment and experimental systems.
• Other duties may also be assigned
• Acquire and maintain tools, equipment, and chemicals associated with experimental or engineering projects.
• Confirm all administrative procedures performed before authorizing user groups to operate SSRL beam lines.
• Participate in the planning, design, and implementation of scientific or engineering initiatives, and work toward project objective.
• Serve as a key interface between user groups and the SSRL accelerator operations and experiment support groups.
• Prepare and review drawings, material lists, requisitions, job orders, engineering change requests, and other documents associated with development, fabrication, assembly, installations, and testing. Support scientific or engineering installations; plan and execute various phases of an operation, oversee schedule of equipment operations, and perform routine maintenance.
• Assist with the installation, commissioning, operation and troubleshooting of synchrotron radiation beam lines (complex opto-mechanical, x-ray optics, and control systems). Monitor configuration and control of beam line protection and personnel protection systems.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Scientific programming
• Hands-on with in-situ/operando instrument design
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as work unsupervised.
• The ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of scientists, technical staff and user groups in a fast-paced and dynamic environment is essential.
• Ability to evaluate and troubleshoot sophisticated electro-mechanical and logic control systems.
• A Bachelor’s degree (in chemistry, physics, engineering or related field) and 4 years’ experience in a scientific, engineering or technical field including:
• Excellent written, verbal communications, interpersonal and organizational skills
• Beam line control and data acquisition software such as Epics, SPEC, or ICS
• Interfacing scientific instrumentation or industrial controls to Linux and Windows operating systems
• Hands-on with scattering and/or hard X-ray XAS synchrotron radiation research instrumentation
• Hands-on with X-ray optics and opto-electro-mechanical systems
• Ability to write clear technical documentation and user manuals.
• Mechanical design and fabrication drawing creation using computer solids modeling software such as SolidWorks or Solid Edge. Understanding of machining and other fabrication techniques as they relate to mechanical systems design

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• A Master’s degree or a Ph.D. (in chemistry, physics, engineering or related field) or 4 years of equivalent working experience in a scientific, engineering or technical field

SLAC Employee Competencies:

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

Physical requirements and working conditions:

• Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work.
• 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:

• As an organization that receives federal funding, SLAC and Stanford University have a COVID-19 vaccination requirement that will apply to all university employees, including those working remotely in the United States and applicable subcontractors.
• 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,
• 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:
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.

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• Grade: L Job code: 0133
• Employment Duration: Continuing
• Classification Title: Staff Engineer3

The expected pay range for this position is $140,000 to $198,000 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.