Beam Delivery Systems Engineering Department Head

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks a Mechanical Engineer to lead the Beam Delivery Systems Engineering Department within the LCLS Engineering Division. The role focuses on advancing X-ray beam delivery, optics, and diagnostics, while guiding a team of engineers and collaborating with scientists and staff.

Strong leadership and high-quality engineering are essential. The position requires a BS in Mechanical Engineering and at least eight years of relevant experience, with hands-on design

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and at least eight years of beam delivery systems design/operation experience.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and supervisory capabilities in a research environment.
• Proven ability to promote relationships across teams and external sponsors.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering leadership for initiatives advancing X-ray instrumentation and beamline diagnostics.
• Lead integration, testing, and delivery of complex systems within scope, budget, and schedule.
• Mentor staff, participate in hiring, and ensure rigorous engineering documentation.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mechanical design

Supervision

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

8+ years of relevant experience

Tools

Solid Edge

ANSYS

MATLAB

Job description

Position Overview
The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Engineering Division at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a mechanical engineer to lead the Beam Delivery Systems Engineering Department.

Job Description
Position Overview
The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Engineering Division at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a mechanical engineer to lead the Beam Delivery Systems Engineering Department. The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is an X-ray Free Electron (FEL) 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 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. Seven (7) independent instruments are specifically designed to utilize the unique beam characteristics of the LCLS to meet these scientific objectives. The Beam Delivery Systems Engineering Department supports LCLS with mechanical engineers and engineering physicists. The department supports the design, operations, and maintenance of the X-ray beam paths to ensure systems meet experimental requirements and reliably deliver X-ray photons on target. This includes developing mechatronic and optomechanical systems to precisely control X-ray beam alignment, wavefront, and timing. And the design, characterization, and procurement of high-performance X-ray mirrors. This department operates off-line laboratories for advanced metrology of X-ray mirrors and new techniques to clean mirror coatings in situ. As the head of the Beam Delivery Systems Engineering Department, in addition to engineering responsibilities, you will manage a team of engineers, provide supervision, guidance and training, foster staff development, promote engineering rigor, and participate in hiring activities to support the LCLS mission. This position administratively reports to the LCLS Engineering Division Leader within the LCLS Directorate.

Your Specific Responsibilities Include

• Provide engineering leadership for new initiatives that advances advance X-ray experimental capabilities through delivery of complex scientific instrumentation, X-ray and laser system opto-mechanical systems, experiment and beamline diagnostics, and target delivery systems.
• Provide engineering leadership for the integration and testing of systems and devices, working with staff scientists, fabrication facilities and personnel, and technicians.
• Responsible for the execution and delivery of technical scope, within budget and on schedule, with a high degree of quality assurance using standardized engineering processes.
• May function as a Cost Account Manager (CAM) in project management roles.
• Promote adherence to the LCLS Conduct of Engineering, ensuring engineering rigor with accurate documentation and engineering review.
• Provide the department with leadership in project engineering to support system development, integration, commissioning and the effective transfer of new capabilities to operations.
• Prepare and conduct performance management activities for department personnel and contribute to the LCLS engineering ranking and salary management processes.
• Influence strategic technical decisions made by LCLS senior management.
• Contribute to the definition of complex engineering solutions for X-ray based experiments.
• Perform engineering duties requiring significant scheduling and budgeting responsibility.

To Be Successful In This Position You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field and at least eight years of experience with the design and operation of beam delivery systems.
• Leadership, interpersonal skills, organizational, and supervisory skills to lead personnel, write performance appraisals, and actively participate in ranking and hiring activities.
• Experience with engineering tools such as Solid Edge, ANSYS and/or MATLAB.
• Ability to promote and maintain productive relationships across LCLS and SLAC.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills, necessary to present, explain, and advise LCLS senior management and/or external sponsors.
• Experience working independently and responsively to changing priorities and ability to meet deadlines
• Manufacturing, assembly, and installation coordination of complex systems.
• Exercising sound engineering judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a diverse team environment.

In Addition, Preferred Requirements Include

• An advanced degree and experience with scientific instrumentation, project management, and/or technical supervision.
• Experience in X-ray FEL, synchrotron, metrology, and/or laser system engineering.
• Experience with user facilities and/or national laboratories.
• Formal training/experience in systems engineering processes and methodologies

Summary

• RESPONSIBILITIES Leader who has consistently demonstrated establishing or leading research programs, projects, groups, or mission critical systems that are essential to meeting the scientific and operational goals of the laboratory.

Scope Of Impact

• Provides leadership identifying, promoting, and developing core laboratory capabilities, influencing future scientific or technicaldirection of the laboratory.
• Delivers research or technology objectives with high distinction.

Knowledge And Expertise

• Generates and develops advanced scientific or technical capabilities in a broad field of knowledge for several applications and has fully demonstrated grasp of related disciplines.
• Consistently leads focused research, technologies, design, or facility operations with creativity and innovation.
• Demonstrated excellence in communicating research progress to both internal and external audiences.

Directing Others/Supervision

• Demonstrated ability to build and lead effective teams and to actively mentor staff.

Program Development

• Generates new applications, programs or proposals and leads their development.
• Generates solutions to key technical or scientific challenges critical to program/project success.

Minimum Education And Experience Required

• BS in applicable engineering or scientific discipline and 8 years of relevant experience

About Us

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory explores how the universe works at the biggest, smallest and fastest scales and invents powerful tools used by researchers around the globe. As world leaders in ultrafast science and bold explorers of the physics of the universe, we forge new ground in understanding our origins and building a healthier and more sustainable future. Our discovery and innovation help develop new materials and chemical processes and open unprecedented views of the cosmos and life’s most delicate machinery. Building on more than 60 years of visionary research, we help shape the future by advancing areas such as quantum technology, scientific computing and the development of next-generation accelerators.

SLAC is operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science . The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

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 their job.

All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. All staff at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States. SLAC is an E-Verify employer.

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 Identify 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.

For Foreign National Candidates

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.