Chief Systems Engineer, EIectron-Ion Collider

Brookhaven National Laboratory; Upton (NY); On-site; USD 146,550 - 249,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive employee benefits program

Job summary

Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY is hiring a Chief Systems Engineer to lead the technical systems engineering for the Electron-Ion Collider project. This role requires extensive experience in systems integration and project management to ensure scientific and operational alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

The successful candidate will oversee subsystem integration, manage project documentation, and maintain compliance with technical requirements. A bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering and 15+ years of experience are mandatory.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of relevant technical experience.
• Experience managing and coordinating complex systems.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical systems engineering leadership for a DOE project.
• Lead cross-system integration efforts.
• Establish and oversee the system verification and validation program.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Technical Leadership

Project Management

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Position Description

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is the site for the new Electron‑Ion Collider (EIC), a one‑of‑a‑kind nuclear physics research facility. The EIC will be a discovery machine for unlocking the secrets of the “glue” that binds the building blocks of visible matter in the universe. The machine design is based on the existing and highly optimized RHIC Ion‑Ion collider. It will consist of two intersecting accelerators—one producing an intense beam of electrons, the other a beam of protons or heavier atomic nuclei—steered into collisions. Beyond sparking scientific discoveries in a new frontier of fundamental physics, the Electron‑Ion Collider will trigger technological breakthroughs that have broad‑ranging impact on human health and national challenges.

Major Systems

• An electron fast cycling 18 GeV synchrotron with an electron source, LINAC, transfer lines, and beam injection/extraction systems.
• An 18 GeV electron storage ring.
• A 275 GeV Hadron storage ring created through the modification and upgrade of one of the RHIC accelerator/storage rings to increase its top energy, beam quality, and beam intensity.
• The interaction region electron and hadron beam lines with supporting equipment that aligns the beams for collisions within the EIC detector.

These particle accelerator rings will be located within the existing 2.4‑mile circumference RHIC tunnel, and the equipment that supports them will also share space in the EIC support buildings.

Chief Systems Engineer Role

The Chief Systems Engineer (CSE) provides the highest level of technical systems engineering leadership for a DOE capital project, ensuring that all subsystems are coherently integrated into a unified, functional facility that meets the project’s scientific and operational requirements. The CSE sits at the intersection of science, engineering, and project management, focusing on technical integrity and integration of EIC design through requirements design, verification, and validation. The CSE reports to the EIC Technical Director (or Deputy Director) and answers the question: “Does the system do what it’s supposed to do?”

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the top‑level technical requirements and traceability to all subsystems.
• Lead cross‑system integration efforts to ensure all subsystems function cohesively.
• Define, manage, and resolve interfaces between subsystems—technical, functional, and organizational.
• Establish and oversee the system verification and validation program to ensure compliance with technical requirements.
• Serve as the system engineering technical authority during all DOE Critical Decision reviews and external advisory committees.
• Provide system engineering leadership throughout the full system lifecycle, from concept through commissioning and operations transition.
• Develop and maintain the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) in accordance with DOE Order 413.3B.
• Own the technical requirements baseline and ensure all changes are managed through a formal configuration control process.
• Ensure that verification and validation plans, methods, and acceptance criteria are defined for all subsystems.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the systems engineering interface with RF, Controls, Instrumentation, Mechanical, Magnet, Electrical, Vacuum, and Design Groups for both electron and hadron beam accelerator and storage systems.
• Develop and maintain the System Engineering Group organization and infrastructure to provide support services for the EIC project.
• Guide and develop staff with high standards for quality of work and to meet the anticipated workload requirements.
• Support the development and definition of detailed requirement documents, machine parameter tables, physics, engineering, technical, and functional specifications, interface control documentation, and all other project documentation.
• Ensure that support documentation for each accelerator system and component has well‑defined provisions for support systems: electrical power, water cooling, HVAC, compressed air, cryogenics, controls, etc.
• Support project interface management with other accelerator systems and their associated system engineers to ensure clear boundaries, avoid duplication, and ensure full coverage of scope.
• Track, support, and review performance data and reports, corrective action items, cost and schedule evaluations.
• Assist in design review preparation and execution, ensuring design packages meet system‑level criteria and requirements traceability.
• Maintain an environment conducive to openness, collaboration, and respect for all.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant technical experience, including at least 5 years in a senior engineering role, with experience collaborating on large projects and a record of progressive responsibility.
• Experience managing, supervising, and coordinating scientific, engineering, and technical staff on complex systems.
• Experience in specification, design, procurement, fabrication, construction, testing, installation, commissioning, and operation of complex systems.
• Experience in an accelerator environment working with scientists, engineers, and technicians to overcome complex technical challenges and deliver systems that perform as specified.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and proficiency with standard MS Office tools.
• Demonstrated experience organizing and presenting at engineering design and safety reviews, and at cost and schedule reviews.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Project management experience, formal training, or PMP certification.
• Familiarity with DOE project management requirements, including DOE Order 413.3B and the Critical Decision process.
• Systems engineering, project engineering, and systems interface experience.
• Experience with particle accelerator operations, installation, and maintenance of scientific equipment.
• Professional Engineer license.

Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements

• Must climb ladders for equipment installation and inspection.
• Must become a qualified Radiation Worker.
• May be required to work off‑hours, nights, and/or weekends to support mission‑critical projects.

Other Information

• Valid driver's license is required.
• Some travel may be required.

Salary and Benefits

Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $146,550 – $249,200 per year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Brookhaven National Laboratory offers a comprehensive employee benefits program. For more information, see BNL | Benefits Program.

Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non‑badged personnel, including visitors, to produce a REAL‑ID or REAL‑ID‑compliant document for access. Those without a compliant document will not be permitted to access the site, including for interviews.

As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with HSPD‑12 requirements. The credentialing process is part of onboarding and is required for access to DOE facilities and information systems.

Equal Opportunity / Affiliation

Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer–Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process. Please contact us to request accommodation. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.