Staff Optical Timing Development Engineer

Position overview:

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is an internationally preeminent science facility, operated by Stanford University at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory on behalf of the Department of Energy, Office of Science. This facility provides world-leading scientific capabilities to a global user community, covering a very broad research portfolio that includes the development of advanced materials and chemical catalysts for clean energy systems; drug discovery for modern pharmaceuticals; and fundamental studies of astrophysical phenomena.

We are seeking a candidate to fill the position of Staff Optical Timing Development Engineer. The successful candidate will help drive a dynamic and exciting environment, leading the engineering development and operation of next generation precision timing systems that provide temporal overlap of optical lasers and the x-ray free electron laser.

Major upgrades to LCLS are currently underway, representing well over a billion dollars of investment. Over the next five years, LCLS will design and deliver a new suite of science instruments to transform this field, taking advantage of the orders-of-magnitude increase in X-ray beam power as the pulse repetition rate is increased from 120 pulses/second to 1 million/second. This drives the need for entirely new capabilities in synchronizing the optical lasers and XFEL with low jitter and drift. In addition, these timing systems will be important part of a major multi-year project is underway to upgrade the LCLS facility with a Petawatt laser, enabling high peak power optical and x-ray photons to combine on target, providing world-leading capabilities in the field of fusion science.

The successful candidate will join the Laser Engineering and Timing department withing the LCLS engineering division. The successful candidate will support and lead the development of next generation precision timing systems as well as mitigating end of life risk for the existing timing systems. A major component of this role is to develop a robust program for operations support of these systems.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Work with the timing team and scientists to generate and execute project plans (cost/schedule/resources) for upgrades.
• Work closely with scientists to identify and resolve performance limitations and improve the timing performance across LCLS.
• Work together with scientists and engineers to lead the development of new timing technologies such as a pulsed fiber x-ray cross-correlators and multi-color balanced optical cross-correlators.
• Document timing systems and develop training/operations support plan that enables high uptime and ease of repair.
• Assess the risk of legacy timing systems as they approach their end-of-life and develop a project plan (cost/schedule) to mitigate these risks.
• Take a leadership role in working with scientists, mechanical, software and electrical engineers to get familiar with existing controls systems and develop and maintain new controls for the X-ray to laser timing diagnostics/feedback.
• Integrate various timing sub-systems together and deliver system to meet high level requirements.
• Work closely with peers across different disciplines to lead the development of the timing system architecture, concept of operations and impart engineering principles so the final product is reliable, available, and maintainable.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Experience with optical (single-mode) fibers and dispersion properties highly desired
• Experience with standard optical components, optical design, and beam propagation
• Experience with installation, commissioning, and transfer to operations of complex systems
• Experience in preparing detailed optical / system schematic drawings
• BS in Physics, Optics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field and at least four years of experience in the following areas:
  • Working knowledge of laser technology such as fiber lasers, diode lasers, diode pumped solid-state lasers and/or semiconductor lasers
  • Experience with ultrafast (mode locked) lasers, working knowledge of dispersion theory and pulse compression
  • Experience with standard optical components, optical design, and beam propagation
  • Experience with non-linear optics (difference/sum frequency and second harmonic generation)
  • Experience with optical (single-mode) fibers and dispersion properties highly desired
  • Experience with timing jitter and phase noise analysis
  • Experience with optical phase or frequency shifting techniques
  • Experience using common laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, RF and optical spectrum analyzers and power meters
  • Experience in data analysis using Python or Matlab
  • Experience with installation, commissioning, and transfer to operations of complex systems
  • Experience in preparing detailed optical / system schematic drawings
• Working knowledge of laser technology such as fiber lasers, diode lasers, diode pumped solid-state lasers and/or semiconductor lasers
• Track record of meeting technical and schedule requirements
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to collaborate in a team environment
• Experience with timing jitter and phase noise analysis
• Experience using common laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, RF and optical spectrum analyzers and power meters
• Experience in data analysis using Python or Matlab
• Experience with ultrafast (mode locked) lasers, working knowledge of dispersion theory and pulse compression
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a diverse team environment
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative work environment
• Experience with non-linear optics (difference/sum frequency and second harmonic generation)
• Experience with optical phase or frequency shifting techniques

In addition, preferred qualifications include:

• Familiar with instrumentation control / automation
• Working knowledge of RF phase locked loops
• MS or PhD in Physics, Optics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Relevant project experience managing, requirements, cost, schedule and delivery of complex systems
• Experience with high precision instrumentation
• Relevant experience specific to synchronizing lasers to other light or microwave sources
• Worked in Big Physics facilities such as free-electron laser or synchrotron light source

SLAC employee competencies:

• Effective Decisions: Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.
• 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.
• Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.
• Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages.
• Dependability: Can be counted on to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.

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:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• 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,
• 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.
• 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:

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• Employment Duration: Regular Continuing
• Job Code: 0133, Grade: L
• Classification: Staff Engineer 3

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.