Division Leader for the LCLS Experimental Control Systems

SLAC; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks a Division Leader for the Experimental Control Systems Division at LCLS to provide strategic leadership to controls engineers and to coordinate engineering initiatives across the division. The role reports to the LCLS Chief Engineer and manages resources, budget, and project execution.

The successful candidate will guide staff development, oversee scope, risk, and quality, and drive engineering excellence in a fast-paced, collaborative environment,

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical, Mechanical, or Computer Engineering with at least ten years of leadership experience.
• Experience leading large technical organizations with staff management.
• Experience lifecycle management of complex control systems for large facilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to the Controls engineers and associated technical staff.
• Ensure divisional processes align with SLAC and LCLS requirements, including the Conduct of Engineering.
• Provide leadership to maintain high engineering morale, supporting career development and training.
• Oversee technical scope, schedule, cost, and quality through design reviews and standardized practices.
• Support operational activities for LCLS via guidance and best practices.
• Lead high-level scientific, engineering, or technical research programs through design and development.
• Identify, clarify, and resolve highly complex issues with broad impact across the directorate.
• Collaborate with LCLS and Lab leaders on project decisions and advise senior management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Systems engineering

Program management

Staff development

Strategic planning

Communication

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Computer Engineering

Master's degree or PhD in related field (preferred)

Job description

Position Overview:

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is an internationally preeminent science 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 investigating advanced materials and chemical catalysts for clean energy systems, drug discovery for modern pharmaceuticals, and fundamental studies of extreme states of matter.

LCLS is renowned for driving continual improvements in the capabilities of its X-ray source, instrumentation, and associated technologies, coupled with deep engagement with our domestic and international user community to anticipate and meet their scientific needs in the short-term (via experimental delivery) and in the long-term (via prioritized facility development).

We seek a Division Leader for the Experimental Control Systems Division who can sustain and enhance engineering activities for the Experimental Control Systems Division and ensure coordination of engineering and operational initiatives across LCLS. The Division Leader for the Experimental Control Systems Division provides top-level leadership to our Controls engineers and associated technical staff, as a member of the LCLS Engineering leadership. This position will also help manage the resources, budget, and activities for projects, support all related operational activities within LCLS, and contribute to the vision and long-term operational excellence of the Division and the LCLS Directorate.

The successful candidate will join the LCLS Engineering management team and report directly to the LCLS Chief Engineer.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to the Controls engineers and associated technical staff, including systems engineering and program management.
• Ensure all divisional processes and policies align with applicable SLAC and LCLS requirements, including the Conduct of Engineering, to support the rigorous design and delivery of precision scientific equipment. Ensure appropriate engineering staffing levels with the necessary skills to meet the needs of LCLS projects and operations.
• Provide appropriate leadership to maintain a high level of engineering morale, addressing career development and ensuring access to adequate growth opportunities and technical training.
• Provide oversight and expert input for technical scope, schedule, cost, and quality assurance through design reviews and standardized engineering practices.
• Support all operational activities related to the LCLS via the development and communication of guidance and best practices.
• Lead high-level scientific, engineering, or technical research programs and initiatives through technical design, development, integration, and outreach.
• Identify, clarify, and resolve highly complex issues with directorate and Lab wide impact and substantial significance, which span multiple areas, requiring broad discretion and judgment.
• Collaborate with LCLS and Lab leaders on scientific, engineering, or technical research project decisions and advise senior management on technical efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

To be successful in this position, you will bring:

• BS in Electrical, Mechanical, or Computer Engineering or related field and at least ten years of experience in engineering and engineering leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise in the lifecycle management of complex control systems, preferably for large-scale scientific facilities or comparable industrial applications
• Extensive experience leading and managing a large organization of technical staff through subordinate managers.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative work environment.
• Ability to influence and establish effective working relationships in a diverse environment and motivate and mentor staff.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to communicate effectively with both staff and senior management.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve complex issues quickly and make decisions that meet objectives in a collaborative, respectful, diverse culture.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• A Master's degree or PhD in Electrical, Mechanical, or Computer Engineering or related field and ten years of relevant experience similar to those listed above.
• Formal training in systems engineering.
• Experience with design, operation, and maintenance of XFEL systems.
• Experience within the DOE complex.

SLAC Manager Competencies:

• Team Effectiveness: Effectively motivates team members and fosters a diverse and collaborative team environment; leverages team members' strengths for overall team effectiveness; incorporates insights to improve team operations.
• Purpose & Vision: Articulates a clear vision of expected outcomes; inspires others to execute work plans and feel a sense of purpose and ownership for the mission.
• BuildsTrust: Earns trust and credibility from team members, peers, and stakeholders; demonstrates SLAC values of respect and integrity.
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve team, department/directorate, and lab goals.
• Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences; delivers clear and appropriate written and verbal communications; makes clear and impactful presentations to various internal and external audiences.
• NavigateComplexity: Manages a multitude of information and complex circumstances to discern what is most important; demonstrates effective problem-solving decision-making and takes appropriate action, even in difficult situations or with conflicting data.
• Results through Others: Achieves expected results by effectively delegating and managing the work of others.
• Aligns Priorities: Ensures planning and prioritization of resources and work efforts; ensures alignment of direct and matrix reports to support organizational goals and business plans.
• Applies Lab Acumen: Maintains an understanding of lab efforts and direction and current research and trends, considers technology and customer impacts, and contributes relevant, informed ideas to lab growth.
• Self-Awareness: Seeks feedback from others and takes ownership of and actions to address what is learned; recognizes the impact on others and adjusts as needed; pursues continuous learning opportunities; implements a meaningful development plan.

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 job's essential functions.
• Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work.

Work Standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues, clients, and 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 1—General 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.