Timing Associate Engineer (SEA2)

SLAC Job Postings

Position Overview:

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Engineering Division at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a Science and Engineering Associate to develop, characterize, integrate, and maintain state of the art integrated timing systems in support of complex scientific and research programs. This role reports into the Precision Timing and Synchronization Group in the Laser Engineering Department.

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is the world's first hard X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) and operates as a user facility for a global community of scientists, providing ultrashort, ultra-bright pulses of X-rays to seven experimental instruments focused on specific areas of science. Femtosecond synchronization and stability of x-ray to laser coordination are an integral part of many of these experiments, and the Precision Timing and Synchronization Group is responsible for deploying and supporting cutting-edge timing systems for groundbreaking scientific research at LCLS.

The Precision Timing and Synchronization Group also supports other laser-timing requirements at SLAC including the photoinjector lasers for the LCLS accelerator, accelerator test facilities such as Ultrafast Electron Diffraction (UED), the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET), and the Next Linear Collider Test Accelerator (NLCTA), and other research programs such as High Energy Density (HED) science, and the PULSE and SIMES Stanford independent laboratories at SLAC.

This position will report to the Group Leader for the Precision Timing and Synchronization in Laser Engineering. Members of this group are responsible for the design, development, testing, and facility integration of timing systems coupled to accelerators and LCLS experiments.

SLAC is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park, CA.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Support the construction, implementation, and maintenance of high stability, drift corrected timing systems, associated diagnostics and electronic systems, to meet the demanding requirements of the LCLS scientific program.
• Work with staff in the Laser Science and Technology Division as well as Laser Engineering to develop and maintain timing systems and executing accelerator-based experiments and X-ray based experiments.
• Propose and participate in projects to improve the capabilities and efficient operations of the LCLS laser program.
• Diagnose, maintain, modify, repair, and troubleshoot timing systems and associated diagnostic equipment.
• Prepare and review drawings, material lists, requisitions, job orders, engineering change requests, and other documents associated with development, fabrication, assembly, installations, and testing.
• Support work on scientific or engineering installations; plan and execute various phases of an operation, oversee schedule of equipment operations, and perform routine maintenance.
• Support the installation, and ensure operation of new timing systems, facilities, diagnostics, and control systems.
• Organize and maintain inventory of timing components, systems and sub-systems.
• Perform other related activities as directed.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• BS in Electrical Engineering or related field or five years of equivalent work experience or combination of education and relevant technical experience in following areas:
  • Test and verification of RF systems (generally < 6 GHz)
  • PLL, phase noise, jitter analysis measurements and methods
  • Troubleshooting and maintenance experience
  • PCB design, layout, and manufacturing
• Extensive experience in using oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, and power supply unit (vector network analyzer and phase noise analyzer is a plus)
• Experience with data analysis using Python/MATLAB, experimental process, and development of prototypes.
• Extensive analytical skills to troubleshoot, root cause and drive issue resolution.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal guidance in a diverse team environment.
• Experience applying complex scientific and engineering principles and practices to perform technical services and support.
• Ability to write clear documentation, perform administrative duties, and research protocol maintenance related to research studies and/or scientific/engineering projects.
• Demonstrated ability to establish, communicate, and enforce compliance with health and safety policies and procedures.

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 his or her job.
• Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work

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:
• 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 a national laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

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• Classification Title: Science & Engineering Assoc 2
• Grade: J Job code: 4992
• Duration: Regular Continuing

The expected pay range for this position is $122,929 - $145,389 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. 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.

At SLAC/Stanford, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.