Senior Accelerator Controls Engineer - EPICS & Automation

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University’s SSRL at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks an experienced Accelerator Controls Engineer to operate, develop and modernize EPICS-based control systems for the 3 GeV SPEAR3 storage ring. You will own assigned controls, interface with accelerator hardware, and contribute to machine studies and reliability enhancements.

The role requires hands-on development, real-time problem solving, and collaboration with physicists, technicians and operators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, physics or related technical discipline with 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience developing, integrating and troubleshooting complex control systems interacting with physical equipment.
• Experience with EPICS or similar distributed control systems in accelerator or industrial contexts.
• Ability to own systems/projects through design, implementation, testing and operational support.
• Strong safety, reliability and collaboration mindset in multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to learn and apply new technologies and engineering approaches.

Responsibilities

• Support safe and reliable accelerator operation, troubleshooting control-system issues and assisting startup and machine studies.
• Take technical ownership of assigned control systems, maintaining reliability and documentation.
• Design, develop and maintain EPICS-based control systems, IOC development, device interfaces and operator tools.
• Integrate accelerator equipment across hardware and software boundaries (diagnostics, RF, power, networking).
• Evolve SSRL controls by moving to modern, maintainable platforms and architectures.
• Contribute to projects from requirements through commissioning and support, including AI/ML explorations where relevant.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers, and engage with the accelerator-controls community.

Skills

EPICS

Control systems

Hardware integration

Software development

Team collaboration

Learning new tech

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or physics

Tools

EPICS IOC

Python

C/C++

Linux

VME/CAMAC legacy tech

PLC/Instrumentation

Job description

Stanford University’s SSRL at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks an experienced Accelerator Controls Engineer to operate, develop and modernize EPICS-based control systems for the 3 GeV SPEAR3 storage ring. You will own assigned controls, interface with accelerator hardware, and contribute to machine studies and reliability enhancements.

The role requires hands-on development, real-time problem solving, and collaboration with physicists, technicians and operators.