Safety Systems Engineer

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks a Laser Safety Systems Engineer to design, implement, and maintain Laser Safety Systems across the lab and LCLS. You will manage PLC-based interlocks, collaborate with safety groups, and ensure robust documentation and testing for 24/7 operations.

The role requires a BS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Computer Engineering and at least 5 years of experience with safety instrumentation, EPICS, Python, Git, and HMI/GUI interfaces.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in a technical field and 5 years of experience in safety systems.
• Experience with PLC-based interlock systems and deployment.
• Proficiency reading electrical schematics and troubleshooting.
• Ability to lead complex projects with cross-disciplinary teams.
• Familiarity with version control and collaborative workflows.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain PLC and wired interlock-based safety systems.
• Plan and implement upgrades to maximize user availability.
• Collaborate with related safety systems groups at SLAC.
• Ensure rigorous work planning, requirements, design reviews, and testing.
• Provide 24/7 support for system ownership as needed.
• Communicate with physicists, engineers, and technicians across disciplines.
• Lead safety system reviews and maintain documentation.
• Oversee end-to-end ownership including scheduling and stakeholders.

Skills

PLC interlock design

Hardware experience

Version control (Git)

Project management

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Computer Engineering

Tools

Git

HMI/GUI design

EPICS

Python

Linux

Job description

Job Description

Position Overview

Do you enjoy collaborating with a diverse group of people to solve complex challenges? Does contributing to breakthrough discoveries in science and working with unique experimental instrumentation in a world-leading scientific research environment excite you? The Experiment Control Systems (ECS) division within the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Directorate at SLAC is seeking a Laser Safety Systems Engineer to exercise responsibility for SLAC and LCLS Laser Safety Systems.

LCLS Laser Engineering Department is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of Laser Systems throughout the SLAC complex. The candidate will concentrate on the specification, hardware and software design and implementation of all Laser Safety Systems at the Lab. The successful candidate will establish performance criteria, evaluate system architecture, design, validate, document, implement, and exercise stewardship for the Laser Safety Systems. As the safety system engineer, you will perform project management and engineering work of considerable scope and complexity, often challenging and difficult with considerable technical independence as well as collaborate with LCLS and SLAC staff of diverse technical backgrounds to find solutions to the more challenging engineering problems.

You will work with other engineers, engineering associates, and technicians, to support safety systems implementations and best practices, while maintaining and upgrading subsystems assigned. This position reports to the Laser Engineering Department Head..

See https://lcls.slac.stanford.edu/ for more on LCLS and the unique capabilities of our instrument facilities.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Own and maintain PLC and wired interlock-based Safety Systems. Systems range from relay-based interlock to legacy PLC installations, to modern industry standard PLC implementations.
• Design, review, plan, and implement upgrades to systems owned by the Laser Safety Program to maintain a high level of user availability. The Laser Safety Engineer is responsible for all aspects of system deployment.
• Collaborate with other related SLAC safety systems groups
• Assure rigorous work planning and control are in place including: project planning, requirements gathering, design reviews, soft/firmware version control, test procedures, management reports.
• Stewardship of LSS (Laser Safety Systems).
• Plan and implement upgrades to be the least invasive to 24/7 operations, with consideration of limited resources.
• Communicate with people from all other disciplines: Physicists, scientists, duty operators, electrical and mechanical engineers, electronic and network technicians.
• Hold and participate in safety systems reviews.
• Respond for occasional 24/7 support for system owned by the Laser Engineering Group.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Computer Engineering and 5 years of experience.
• PLC based interlock system design, implementation, and support
• Hardware Experience using various PLC specific system designs.
• Hardware Experience using fault-tolerant, standard program PLC and HMI & GUI designs.
• Proficiency reading electrical schematics and troubleshooting systems.
• Proactivity in creating and maintaining documentation related to projects, software, user guides, how-tos, among others.
• Lead and direct multiple complex projects requiring high levels of functional integration.
• Experience with version control systems, particularly Git, and collaborative development workflows
• Experience performing end-to-end ownership of tasks, including project management, schedule, and stakeholder management.
• Experience working in cross-disciplinary teams or environments.
• Effective communication (written and verbal).

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• Experience designing, engineering, and implementing safety instrumented systems in alignment with functional safety standards
• Experience with relay logic implementation.
• Experience with Structured Text programming of PLCs
• Python, Linux, and EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System) experience
• PLC interface and control software for: Shutters, interlocks, and standalone HMI interface panels
• M.Sc. in Computer Engineering/Science, Physical Science, or a closely related field.

SLAC Employee 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.

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 essential functions of the job.

Work Standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with 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: https://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.

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory explores how the universe works at the biggest, smallest and fastest scales and invents powerful tools used by researchers around the globe. As world leaders in ultrafast science and bold explorers of the physics of the universe, we forge new ground in understanding our origins and building a healthier and more sustainable future. Our discovery and innovation (https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/research) help develop new materials and chemical processes and open unprecedented views of the cosmos and life’s most delicate machinery. Building on more than 60 years of visionary research, we help shape the future by advancing areas such as quantum technology, scientific computing and the development of next-generation accelerators.

SLAC is operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science (https://www.energy.gov/science/office-science) . The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

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 essential functions of their job.

All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. All staff at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States. SLAC is an E-Verify employer.

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 Identify 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.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is an Affir