Beamline Controls Engineer

Berkeley Lab; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 179,000 - 218,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition assistance

Culture and belonging

Winter shutdown

Parental leave

Job summary

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory seeks a Beamline Controls Engineer to design and sustain Linux server, virtualization, storage, and network infrastructure for beamline control systems and EPICS software. The role emphasizes reliability, security, and collaboration with beamline groups and vendors.

You will install, configure, and maintain Proxmox VE clusters, build data paths, manage backups, and automate configurations while supporting EPICS control and data acquisition across multiple

Qualifications

• Experience building and running Linux servers, virtualization, storage, and network infrastructure in continuous operations.
• Hands-on Linux systems engineering with security hardening and lifecycle management.
• Production virtualization with shared storage and high availability.
• Configuration management and automation using scripting languages.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and maintain Linux servers and Proxmox VE clusters.
• Manage system capacity, updates, firmware, and security across machines.
• Build and maintain storage systems and fast data paths to instruments.
• Maintain backup and disaster recovery systems for operation continuity.
• Manage network and access controls, DNS, VPN, firewalls and permissions.
• Automate builds and configuration with scripting and CM tools.
• Write and support EPICS control software for motors, sensors, I/O.
• Develop data acquisition software and operator screens.
• Extend control software to new instruments and resolve integrations.
• Provide technical direction and mentoring to staff.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists; guide other staff.
• Contribute to cost estimates, budgets, and procurement.
• Maintain compliance with LBNL policies and safety standards.

Skills

Linux systems

Virtualization

EPICS control

Networking

Scripting

Config management

Data acquisition

Python

Automation

High availability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Proxmox VE

Job description

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Beamline Controls Engineer within the Engineering division. This position is responsible for the computing, virtualization, network, storage, and EPICS control system infrastructure that ALS beamline operations rely on.

The incumbent works independently and decides the methods and approaches for significant and often new problems. This work runs from the server, storage, and network platforms to instrument control and data acquisition, and the incumbent keeps these systems reliable, secure, and maintainable so that experiments can run. The incumbent also sets infrastructure and controls standards, coordinates work across beamline groups, other Engineering functions, other facilities, and vendors, and provides technical direction and mentoring to other staff. The incumbent is a recognized expert whose technical judgment guides infrastructure decisions for the controls environment.

We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
• Opportunities to grow in your career - check out our Tuition Assistance Program
• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams!
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)

You will:

• Install, configure, and maintain the Linux servers and virtualization platforms that run the beamline control systems, scientific computing, and shared services, including Proxmox VE high-availability clusters.
• Manage the configuration and capacity of these systems, and apply operating system updates, firmware updates, and security fixes across the supported machines.
• Build and maintain the storage systems and the file systems behind them, including disk arrays, networked storage, and the high-speed connections that move data to and from instruments.
• Maintain the backup and disaster recovery systems that protect operational and experiment data.
• Manage the network and access controls in the controls environment. This includes keeping control, research, and management traffic separate, and running DNS, remote access, firewalls, and the accounts and permissions that control who can reach each system.
• Use scripting and configuration management tools to automate builds and configuration, so that systems can be rebuilt and recovered reliably.
• Write, deploy, and support EPICS control software for motors, optics, sensors, detectors, and analog and digital I/O on the beamlines. Connect commercial motion controllers, piezo and other precision actuators, and PLCs to the control system.
• Build and run the data acquisition software and the experiment data systems that sit on top of the control system, along with the operator screens scientists use to run and watch their experiments.
• Add new instruments and devices to the group’s standard control software, solve the hardware and software integration problems that come up, and turn the results into tools the team can reuse.
• Serve as the senior technical person for the largest and least defined infrastructure and controls problems, where there is no set procedure and the best choice depends on the effect on research and on how well the system can be supported over time.
• Set and maintain standards for configuration, documentation, security, and day-to-day operations, and help other staff bring their work in line with them.
• Work with beamline groups, operations, other Engineering functions, other DOE labs, and vendors to agree on shared solutions and standards, and represent the group in meetings that cross divisions and facilities.
• Give technical direction and mentoring to other staff, and when assigned, lead the technical work on a project or direct the work of others.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists. Direct the work of other coordinators, designers, technicians, and maintenance personnel.
• Support projects by contributing to the creation of cost estimates, budgets, schedules and to the procurement of key components.
• Maintain compliance with applicable LBNL policies and standards (Engineering Process, Electrical Equipment Inspection Program, Safety Software Quality Assurance, safety protocols, respectful workplace, etc.).
• Contribute to the development of the department’s mission and committed to achieving it in a safe and respectful manner, in compliance with applicable standards and regulations.

We are looking for:

• Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent, in engineering or related field.
• 12+ years of relevant technical experience with Bachelor’s degree, 8 with a Master’s degree, or equivalent experience
• Extensive experience building and running Linux server, virtualization, storage, and network infrastructure in a scientific or research computing environment that runs continuously.
• Strong hands‑on Linux systems engineering, including security hardening and managing servers through their full life, from build to retirement.
• Experience running virtualization and clusters for production work, with shared storage and high availability. Proxmox VE experience applies directly.
• Solid storage and file system work, including disk arrays, networked storage, high-speed I/O, and backup and recovery that has been tested.
• Practical networking and access control in a network that is segmented and used for several purposes, including routing, VLANs, DNS, VPN, firewalls, and account and permission management.
• Good scripting and configuration management skills for automation, for example Python and shell with a configuration management tool such as Puppet or Ansible.
• Knowledge of system monitoring, and a track record of keeping systems running at high availability around the clock.
• Good independent judgment on significant and new high‑stakes problems, and the ability to work with separate groups and outside organizations to agree on solutions and standards.
• Ability to explain complex technical choices clearly to scientists, engineers, and management.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Experience with EPICS instrument control and data acquisition; experience supporting a synchrotron, accelerator, or large scientific user facility; experience connecting motion control, detectors and cameras, and PLC I/O to a control system.
• EPICS instrument control, including motion control with commercial controllers and precision actuators, and connecting detectors, cameras, and PLC I/O.
• Data acquisition software and operator screen development in Python and in web front ends.
• Relational and in-memory database administration.
• Cloud and container experience.
• Experience at a synchrotron, accelerator, or other large scientific user facility, or at a DOE lab.

Additional information:

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by June 30, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• Salary range: The expected salary for this position is $179,000 - $218,000, which fits into the full salary of $158,808 - $267,996 depending upon the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
• Work authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.