Chief Systems Engineer, EIectron-Ion Collider

Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC; Upton (NY); On-site; USD 146,550 - 249,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits program

Job summary

Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC is seeking a Chief Systems Engineer for the Electron-Ion Collider project at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The engineer will provide technical leadership, ensuring integration across systems to meet scientific requirements.

Qualified candidates will have over 15 years of experience in technical roles and a Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or related fields. The compensation package includes a salary range of $146,550 to $249,200 annually, along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of relevant technical experience, including 5 years in a senior engineering role.
• Experience in managing and coordinating scientific and engineering staff on complex systems.
• Excellent communication skills and proficiency with MS Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain top-level technical requirements for the EIC.
• Lead the integration of subsystems into a cohesive system.
• Provide oversight for systems engineering interface with various engineering groups.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Technical Leadership

Project Management

Cross-system Integration

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or related field

Job description

Position Overview

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) hosts the new Electron‑Ion Collider (EIC), a unique nuclear physics research facility. The Chief Systems Engineer (CSE) will provide technical systems engineering leadership for this DOE capital project, ensuring all subsystems of the EIC are coherently integrated to meet scientific and operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain top‑level technical requirements, ensuring allocation and traceability to all subsystems.
• Lead cross‑system integration efforts to ensure subsystems work together as a cohesive system.
• Define, manage, and resolve interfaces between subsystems, including technical, functional, and organizational interfaces.
• Establish and oversee the system verification and validation program to ensure compliance with technical requirements.
• Serve as the technical authority during 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 manage changes through a formal configuration control process.
• Define and maintain verification and validation plans, methods, and acceptance criteria for all subsystems.
• Provide 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 support the EIC project.
• Guide and develop staff, setting high standards for quality of work and workload requirements.
• Support development of detailed requirement documents, machine parameter tables, physics, engineering, technical, and functional specifications, and interface control documentation.
• Ensure support documentation for each accelerator system includes provisions for power, cooling, HVAC, air, cryogenics, controls, etc.
• Manage project interface with other accelerator systems and their engineers to establish clear boundaries and avoid duplication of effort.
• Track performance data, reviews, corrective actions, and conduct 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 & Abilities

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

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Project management experience, formal project management training, and/or PMP certification.
• Familiarity with DOE project management requirements, including DOE Order 413.3B and the Critical Decision process.
• Experience with particle accelerator operations, installation, and maintenance.
• Professional Engineer’s license.

Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements

• Climbing ladders for equipment installation and inspection.
• Obtaining qualification as a Radiation Worker.
• Occasional work off‑hours, nights, or weekends to support mission‑critical projects.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $146,550 – $249,200 per year, based on qualifications, education, and experience. The position includes a comprehensive benefits program available to all employees.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

Brookhaven National Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.