Principal S & E Tech (Electro-Mech)

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University’s SSRL Vacuum Group seeks a technician to fabricate, assemble, install, and maintain high-precision vacuum systems and associated controls for accelerator and x-ray beam line operations.

You will plan and execute maintenance, support instrument development, and collaborate with engineers and scientists to deliver reliable performance of complex instrumentation.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or vocational education in mechanical or vacuum technology or 8 years of equivalent work experience.
• Experience with vacuum system assembly and maintenance.
• Proficiency with precision measuring equipment and machine shop practices.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and debug prototype vacuum and precision mechanisms, including beamline components.
• Coordinate complex equipment installations and supervise routine maintenance.
• Modify, repair, and troubleshoot equipment and related controls.
• Prepare drawings, BOMs, requisitions, and engineering change requests.
• Liaise with researchers, engineers, and vendors; guide technicians and staff.

Skills

Vacuum system assembly

Precision mechanical fabrication

Reading engineering drawings

Use of precision measuring tools

Maintenance and troubleshooting

Communication with staff and vendors

Education

Associate degree or vocational education in mechanical or vacuum tech

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

CAD software

Job description

Do you enjoy collaborating with a diverse group of people to solve complex challenges? Does contributing and/or supporting breakthrough discoveries in science and working with unique experimental instrumentation in a world-leading scientific research environment excite you? As a Directorate of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC) the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) is a DOE-sponsored national and international user research facility dedicated to providing synchrotron x-rays for research in material, biological, chemical, and environmental sciences. Using a 3.0GeV storage ring SSRL produces extremely bright x-rays as a resource for researchers to study matter and processes at the atomic and molecular level. Over 1600 scientist from all over the world utilize our research facility and resources each year.

The SSRL Vacuum Group seeks a technician with a strong background in the fabrication, assembly, installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of mechanical and Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) precision systems and associated controls for the execution of performance enhancement projects and operations of the SSRL injector/booster accelerator, the SPEAR 3.0 GeV electron storage ring, and x-ray beam lines and associated optics.

In this position, you will plan, coordinate, and execute routine and non-routine fabrication, assembly, installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance activities involving mechanical and UHV systems associated with the SSRL electron accelerators and x-ray beam lines. You will perform preventative maintenance and develop enhancements to scientific instrumentations. You will also support the design, development, testing, and calibration of experimental installations of electron and photon optics and related precision mechanisms. You will work closely with the Vacuum Group manager as well as engineering and scientific staff to carry out field activities and exercise discretion and judgment in the selection of designs, methods, materials, and equipment to accomplish the task. This position is responsible for performing assigned duties with minimal supervision, recognize, understand, and apply safe and authorized work practices to any assignments.

Note

This is a 12 months fixed term position with the possibility of extension or conversion to a regular- continuing position.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Assemble and debug prototype experimental installations, vacuum, and precision mechanisms such as electron and x-ray optical systems, beam transport vacuum systems, and experimental equipment. This responsibility includes setup, commissioning, and debug of associated controls at the system module level.
• Work with designers and engineers to enhance the performance of such prototype systems.
• Modify, repair, and troubleshoot complex equipment and experimental systems as well as associated controls at the system module level.
• Prepare and review drawings, material lists, requisitions, job orders, engineering change requests, and other documents associated with development, fabrication, assembly, installations, and testing.
• Assemble a mechanical system from prints or sketches as well as from conceptual engineering specifications.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute complex equipment installations, set up associated equipment controls, monitor equipment operations, and supervise and execute routine maintenance.
• Support existing and new accelerator and x-ray beam line mechanical and vacuum systems including optics and vacuum transport systems.
• Acquire and maintain tools, equipment, and chemicals associated with experimental or engineering projects.
• Maintain documentation related to vacuum system performance as well as assembly and maintenance protocols.
• Liaise between researchers, students, technical staff, scientists, vendors, and other university staff; serve as a resource, providing training and practical guidance.
• Oversee the work of technicians and other staff associated with the group/projects, and provide guidance to technicians, operators, and others working in particular scientific or engineering function area.
• - Other duties may also be assigned

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Associate degree or completion of vocational education in mechanical or vacuum technology or related technical discipline, or 8 years of equivalent work experience or combination of education and relevant experience including:
• Vacuum system assembly and maintenance
• Precision mechanical system fabrication, QC, and assembly practices and tooling.
• Experience with machine shop tools and practices including assembly and precision measuring equipment.
• Applying scientific and engineering principles and practices to perform technical services and support.
• Familiarity with welding procedures, brazing procedures, and vacuum cleaning methods.
• Practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of vacuum science and technology as relate to mechanical and vacuum system operation, design, and fabrication.
• Familiarity with materials, techniques and procedures used in vacuum system construction.
• Demonstrated ability in troubleshooting mechanical instrumentation, vacuum systems, and associated controls, as well as implementing corrective actions where applicable with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to detail accurately and record system performance, system conditions, and individual or team activities.
• Interpret and determine validity of data and check own work.
• Must be able to read and interpret engineering drawings. Must be proficient in the use and application of a vast array of precision measuring instruments, familiar with ANSI Y14.5 symbols.
• Software applications, systems, or programs relevant for the job (e.g., MS Word, MS Excel, general familiarity with CAD software).
• Communicate and interface with all levels of staff including scientific, technical and operation areas and serve as a technical liaison with vendors.

Experience in one or more of the following is strongly preferred.

• Familiarity with the use and application of ion gauges, roughing, ion, and turbomolecular pumps, cryopumps, residual gas analyzers, and helium mass spectrometer leak detectors.
• Experience in photon beam line systems and/or charged particle accelerator systems.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess and maintain a valid California non-commercial driver’s license and a good driving record.

SLAC Competencies:

• Effective Decisions:Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.
• Self-Development:Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.
• Dependability:Can be counted on to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.
• Initiative: Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward.
• Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
• Communication:Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages.
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.