Staff Engineer 2 - Protection Systems

SLAC; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; 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

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.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Cross-disciplinary communication

Documentation

On-call support

Safety instrumented systems design

Linux

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering or related field

Tools

Studio 5000

Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMI development tools

EPICS

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Are you passionate about solving complex technical challenges in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment? Do you thrive in a world-class scientific research setting, contributing to breakthrough discoveries and working with cutting-edge experimental instrumentation? Join the Operations Division of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) as a safety systems engineer in the Protection Systems Group.

The Machine Protection System (MPS) Engineer is responsible for the safety and reliability of the equipment of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. This role is a balance of operational support and systems engineering: you will maintain the existing protection systems that keep this world-class particle accelerator facility running while leading the critical upgrade of our aging infrastructure to modern standards. You will ensure that vacuum failures, magnet faults, or beam instabilities are detected and mitigated in microseconds, protecting both the storage ring and the advanced scientific instrumentation that relies on it, critical in enabling the high-impact research performed by SSRL’s international research community.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Infrastructure Modernization: Drive the phased migration of legacy MPS hardware to modern PLC-based interlock systems. Design "bridge" interfaces that allow new PLC racks to communicate with existing legacy chassis during multi-year upgrade cycles.
• Legacy Facility Support: Act as the subject matter expert for the current protection interlocks. Troubleshoot, repair, and calibrate legacy vacuum gauge controllers and relay-based logic to minimize downtime for the SSRL scientific user program.
• PLC Logic Development: Architect and program safety-critical interlock logic using Studio 5000 (Ladder, Structured Text). Develop Add-On Instructions (AOIs) for standardized control of vacuum valves, pumps, and gauges.
• HMI & Diagnostics: Develop HMI screens and data-logging routines to provide "First-Out" fault detection, allowing operators to identify the exact sensor that initiated a machine trip.
• Commissioning & Testing: Develop test procedures and lead "Dry Run" testing of interlock chains during maintenance shutdowns to verify that logic correctly inhibits beam operation under fault conditions.
• Engineering Documentation: Own and maintain system documentation, including interlock logic descriptions, I/O lists, test procedures, configuration records, and operational notes. Ensure updates are captured as part of upgrade, commissioning, and troubleshooting activities. Apply configuration management, version control, and formal change control practices to safety-critical protection systems in accordance with SLAC Conduct of Engineering.
• Operational Support: Participate in a shared on-call responsibility to provide 24/7 support for critical Machine Protection Systems, primarily during beam operations. Work closely with accelerator physics, operations, vacuum, controls, and experimental systems groups to ensure protection systems meet the evolving needs of SSRL's scientific user program.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• 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
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex systems, particularly in "mixed-technology" environments where modern PLCs must interface with legacy hardware.
• Experience documenting engineering changes and writing standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Effective communication skills across multidisciplinary teams, including physics, engineering, and operations.
• Willingness to provide occasional 24/7 support for the assigned systems.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience with PLC-based interlock systems, preferably in the Allen-Bradley (Rockwell) suite.
• Hardware experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMIs, or equivalent PLC architectures.
• Experience working in an accelerator facility. Experience with PLC interface and control software for: Power Supplies, RF, Beam Position Monitors and other beam diagnostics, digitizers, Motion Control, Thermocouples, Radiation Monitors, and vacuum instrumentation.
• Experience designing, engineering, and implementing safety instrumented systems in alignment with functional safety standards.
• Knowledge of Linux, Python, MATLAB, EPICS.
• 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 delivering 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 and maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
• Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate 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 his or her job.
• Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work.

Work Standard:

• 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 1General Policy and Responsibilities: http://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/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications

• Fixed Term N
• SLAC Business Area Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource Directorate (SSRL)
• Locations Menlo Park, CA, United States
• Job Schedule Full time
• Regular or Temporary Regular
• Job Category Research - Engineering
• Posting Date 05/18/2026, 12:00 AM
• Grade K
• Job Identification 6762

Benefits that support you, and your future

18+ PTO days per year

Health benefits start when you start

Flexible work options

$6000+ annual tuition and training assistance

403k plan

Mental health and wellness programs

Free and discounted commuter transportation

Applies to regular full-time positions.

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. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. As a national laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is responsible for Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires 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.

For foreign national candidates

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for 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 credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

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