Lead Machine Protection Systems Engineer

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 168,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking an experienced Staff MPS Engineer to lead the safety-critical protection systems that safeguard the accelerator and instrumentation. This role emphasizes technical leadership, modernization, and cross-functional collaboration across operations, vacuum, controls, and engineering teams.

You will own and upgrade protection interlocks, develop PLC-based architectures, and ensure rapid fault detection to protect critical infrastructure and SSRL’s user

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field; equivalent experience accepted.
• 5+ years in PLC-based interlock, control, or safety-critical systems.
• Ability to analyze problems independently and lead implementations.
• Experience with mixed-technology systems integrating legacy and modern PLCs.
• Ability to mentor engineers and technicians and coordinate across teams.
• Strong communication of progress, risks, and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical ownership for Machine Protection System functions and define system requirements.
• Plan and execute upgrades migrating legacy hardware to PLC-based interlocks.
• Troubleshoot and calibrate legacy protection hardware to minimize downtime.
• Develop and review safety-critical interlock logic using Studio 5000.
• Create HMI screens, alarms, and data-logging for operational visibility.
• Lead commissioning activities and verify interlock chains prevent beam operation under fault conditions.
• Maintain system documentation and apply change-control practices.

Skills

Electrical engineering

PLC-based interlock systems

System ownership

Leadership

Engineering judgment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Studio 5000

Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMI development

EPICS

Job description

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking an experienced Staff MPS Engineer to lead the safety-critical protection systems that safeguard the accelerator and instrumentation. This role emphasizes technical leadership, modernization, and cross-functional collaboration across operations, vacuum, controls, and engineering teams.

You will own and upgrade protection interlocks, develop PLC-based architectures, and ensure rapid fault detection to protect critical infrastructure and SSRL’s user