Beamline Engineering Group Leader - SSRL Materials Science Division

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 167,740 - 203,787; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a Beamline Engineering Group Leader to manage a team of engineers, oversee maintenance and upgrades of hard X-ray beamlines, and drive instrument development. The role combines technical depth, strategic planning, and cross‑division collaboration to ensure reliable operations and to advance next‑generation capabilities.

The position requires a Bachelor's in engineering/physics/chemistry/materials science, 4+ years in synchrotron instrumentation or

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 4 years of experience in synchrotron radiation instrumentation or beamline engineering.
• Experience leading technical teams or managing large engineering projects.
• Deep expertise in X-ray optics, motion systems, detectors, vacuum, and in situ instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a team of beamline engineers across multiple hard X-ray beamlines.
• Set priorities, allocate resources, and ensure maintenance, upgrades, and user support.
• Drive long-term engineering plans for upgrades and new instrumentation.
• Partner with beamline scientists to meet evolving research needs and support user experiments.
• Collaborate across SSRL divisions to align activities with lab priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

X-ray optics

Precision motion systems

Detectors

Vacuum systems

In situ instrumentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/physics/chemistry/materials science

Tools

DOE safety systems

Project management tools

Job description

About Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL)

Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a SLAC Directorate at Stanford University, is a national scientific user facility providing synchrotron radiation for research in biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, material science, medicine, and physics. SSRL operates and maintains the 3‑GeV electron storage ring SPEAR3, the associated injector facility, and synchrotron radiation beamlines on SPEAR3.

Position Overview

The Materials Science Division (MSD) seeks an accomplished Beamline Engineering Group Leader to manage and supervise a team of beamline engineers to provide engineering support to the hard X‑ray group, including operation, optimization, maintenance and upgrade of existing hard X‑ray beamlines as well as instrument development on the endstations. This leadership role combines technical depth, strategic planning, personnel management, and cross‑division collaboration to ensure reliable operations and to drive the development of next‑generation experimental capabilities.

Leadership & Management

• Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of beamline engineers supporting multiple hard X‑ray beamlines within MSD.
• Set technical priorities, allocate engineering resources, and ensure timely execution of maintenance, upgrades, and user support activities.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performance team culture aligned with SSRL and SLAC values.
• Manage training, professional development, and performance evaluations for engineering staff.

Beamline Operations & Reliability

• Ensure safe, reliable, and high‑quality operation of MSD hard X‑ray beamlines and endstations, including readiness for user programs.
• Establish engineering best practices, operational procedures, and documentation standards across the group.
• Coordinate with beamline system, operations, accelerator, and facilities teams to ensure beamline operations remain compliant with SLAC and DOE requirements.

Technical Strategy & Project Leadership

• Develop and execute long term engineering plans for beamline upgrades, new instrumentation, and capability expansion based on the MSD scientific priorities.
• Provide technical leadership for complex projects involving X‑ray optics, precision motion systems, detectors, vacuum systems, and in situ/operando instrumentation.
• Guide conceptual design, engineering reviews, procurement, fabrication, installation, and commissioning of new systems.
• Identify opportunities for innovation that enhance experimental throughput, stability, automation, and scientific impact.

User Program Support

• Partner with beamline scientists to ensure beamlines meet evolving scientific needs.
• Oversee engineering support for user experiments, including troubleshooting, configuration, and optimization of beamline systems.
• Contribute to beamtime scheduling processes and operational planning.

Cross Division Collaboration

• Work closely with other divisions at SSRL to align engineering activities with laboratory priorities.
• Represent the engineering group in division level planning and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 4 years of relevant experience in synchrotron radiation instrumentation, X‑ray beamline engineering, or complex scientific facility operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams or managing engineering projects of significant scope.
• Deep technical expertise in several areas such as X‑ray optics, precision motion systems, detectors, vacuum systems, and in situ/operando instrumentation.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and conceptual design skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community of scientists, engineers, technicians, and users in a fast‑paced environment.
• Commitment to safety, documentation quality, and operational excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing engineering teams in a scientific user facility environment.
• Expertise in project management methodologies and tools.
• Hands on experience assembling complex mechanical systems and handling delicate instrumentation.
• Familiarity with DOE laboratory operations, safety systems, and project execution frameworks.

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 full‑time.

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 1General Policy and Responsibilities: http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf
• 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, http://adminguide.stanford.edu
• 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: Staff Engineer 3
• Grade: L, Job Code: 0133
• Duration: regular continuing

The expected pay range for this position is $167,740 - $203,787 per annum.

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