Protection Systems Engineer – PLC & Interlocks

SLAC

Menlo Park (CA)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

18+ PTO days per year

Health benefits start when you start

Flexible work options

Tuition and training assistance

403k plan

Mental health programs

Commuter benefits

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, CA is seeking a Safety Systems Engineer in the Protection Systems Group to safeguard SSRL equipment and upgrade aging protection infrastructure. You will maintain interlocks, calibrate legacy hardware, and drive PLC-based modernization to ensure microsecond fault detection and beam protection.

You will design ladder logic, AOIs, and HMI diagnostics, while documenting changes and leading testing during maintenance shutdowns.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Minimum 2 years of experience with PLC-based interlock systems.
Experience documenting engineering changes and writing SOPs.
Effective communication across multidisciplinary teams.
Willingness to provide occasional 24/7 support for assigned systems.

Responsibilities

Infrastructure modernization: migrate legacy MPS hardware to modern PLC-based interlock systems and design bridge interfaces.
Legacy facility support: troubleshoot, repair, and calibrate legacy vacuum gauge controllers and relay-based logic.
PLC logic development: program safety-critical interlock logic using Studio 5000 and develop AOIs.
HMI and diagnostics: develop HMI screens and data logging for fault detection.
Commissioning and testing: develop test procedures and lead dry-run testing of interlock chains.