Accelerator Diagnostics Electrical Engineer

SLAC Job Postings

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's SPEAR3 is one of the four US third generation lightsources' electron storage rings dedicated to producing brilliant X-ray beams. SPEAR3 serves Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a national user facility with the longest history of utilizing synchrotron radiation for multi-disciplinary experiments studying many of the most pressing scientific issues facing humanity including those in medicine, biology, energy, and the environment. SSRL supports over 1500 research scientists annually. SPEAR3 operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week during each annual 5000-hour user run.

Members of our SSRL Accelerator Team are responsible for operating and improving electron accelerators that produce high brightness x-rays for SSRL. The accelerator complex consists of an RF electron gun, 120-MeV linear accelerator, a 10-Hz cycling booster synchrotron to accelerate electrons from 120 MeV to 3 GeV, and the main SPEAR3 storage ring that emits x-ray synchrotron radiation from bend magnets, wigglers and undulators. The accelerator team has expertise in instrumentation, fast feedback systems, real-time software applications, systems analysis, and accelerator beam dynamics. The group conducts regular testing of system components with live beam to demonstrate new concepts and collaborates with other groups at SLAC for development, prototype implementation, system deployment and systems analysis.

The SSRL Accelerator RF Group is responsible for maintaining, operating, and improving the RF systems that power the electron storage ring and its injector. These systems include high peak power klystrons, solid state amplifiers, low-level RF (LLRF) control systems, high-voltage power supplies, and precision feedback loops critical to the stability of these systems.

The accelerator beam diagnostics and control team is responsible for hardware diagnostics and control systems, fast-acting interlock systems, motion control systems and radio-frequency systems. Electron beam diagnostic and instrumentation systems measure and control the spatial and temporal beam distributions, beam position stability and other relevant operational parameters. Hardware diagnostics and controls include timing systems, motion control, vacuum systems, magnets, RF, temperature monitoring and cooling water. All systems are controlled with advanced Ethernet-connected communications with tightly regulated feedback loops to maintain high-precision stability. Development of signal processing algorithms, control architectures and advanced feedback techniques are part of the ongoing effort.

We are seeking to hire a Test engineer with strong background in electrical or electronics engineering to maintain, design, build, integrate, and troubleshoot advanced engineering systems in the SSRL accelerator complex and interface with scientific, engineering and technical staff across the lab and work on a range of technical systems using both engineering and applied physics skills.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, modify and test electron beam instrumentation using diagnostic tools, analysis techniques, and robust engineering practices.
• Design and fabricate diagnostic electronic equipment, including schematics; PCB layout, fabrication and testing; and chassis construction.
• Participate in the development of existing systems as well as conceptual development of new systems.
• Solve complex engineering problems and recommend corrective or alternative actions.
• Work with SPEAR3 and SLAC staff in problem solving and design efforts.
• Assist in capital equipment purchases and preparation of budgets.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Bachelor s degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, related fields or equivalent experience. A minimum of 2 years experience in at least four of the following areas: precision analog and digital hardware, hardware diagnostics, accelerator technology, high speed circuits, feedback concepts, computer-based power supply controls, instrumentation, and computer programming skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose technical and/or system problems of moderate complexity involving hardware and controls.
• Expertise in solving unique problems with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multiple, complex technical projects.
• Good organizational skills with the ability to complete assignments working independently and in a team environment, and effectively present results.
• Effective communication with colleagues and other research sites.
• Experience working within a multi-disciplinary team.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• Solid electronics lab skills with experience in debugging circuits.
• Experience with maintaining and supporting complex systems.
• Familiarity with computer-hardware interface.
• Experience with hardware and electron beam diagnostics.
• Experience with Altium or similar electronic CAD software.
• Experience with PLC design and implementation.
• Experience with FPGA design and implementation.
• MATLAB, C or C++, EPICs, experience on Windows, Linux, or VMS platforms.

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. May work extended hours during peak business cycles.

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.

• Classification Title : Staff Engineer 2
• Grade: K Job Code: 0132
• Duration: Regular continuing

The expected pay range for this position is $134,906 - $ 164,965 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.