Mechanical Design Engineer - Precision Vacuum Systems

SLAC; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 197,000 - 234,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

18+ PTO days per year

Health benefits start when you start

Flexible work options

Tuition and training assistance

Commuter transportation benefits

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's SSRL division seeks a Staff Engineer 4 - Mechanical Design in Menlo Park, CA. You will lead advanced mechanical system design for beamline instrumentation, and oversee full lifecycle from concept to installation, guiding cross‑functional teams of engineers and technicians.

The role requires CAD‑based design, FE A for thermal/structural challenges, and strong communication with physicists and scientists. Advanced degrees are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and 8+ years hands‑on CAD‑based mechanical design.
• Led full lifecycle projects from design through installation and commissioning.
• Subject matter expert in precision engineering, kinematic principles, and ANSI documentation.
• Analytical problem‑solving with innovative design conceptualization.
• Proficient in deploying FE A software to solve thermal/structural challenges.
• Strong written and verbal communication with physicists, engineers, and technicians.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of advanced mechanical systems and experimental facilities for SSRL beamlines.
• Lead component design, GD&T, drawings, vendor coordination, and technical documentation.
• Manage engineering process from conception to field installation, interfacing with physicists and technicians.
• Act as project manager for complex component or facility construction.
• Participate in assembling a world‑class team of engineers for SSRL.

Skills

Full lifecycle design

CAD-based design

FEA software

Precision engineering

Communication skills

Kinematic design

Education

Bachelors in mechanical engineering

Master’s or PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

3D CAD

Faro arms

CMMs

Job description

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's SSRL division seeks a Staff Engineer 4 - Mechanical Design in Menlo Park, CA. You will lead advanced mechanical system design for beamline instrumentation, and oversee full lifecycle from concept to installation, guiding cross‑functional teams of engineers and technicians.

The role requires CAD‑based design, FE A for thermal/structural challenges, and strong communication with physicists and scientists. Advanced degrees are preferred.