Staff Engineer 2 - SXR

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking an engineer in the Soft X-ray Group to support operation, maintenance, and upgrades of soft x-ray beamlines and endstations. The role emphasizes mechanical design, CAD, and hands-on assembly in a laboratory and beamline environment.

The successful candidate will work with scientists and technicians to translate scientific needs into reliable instrumentation, manage projects through full lifecycles, and help ensure safety and quality in all

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field, with relevant coursework.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Hands-on experience with assembling, testing, and troubleshooting mechanical equipment.

Responsibilities

• Manage engineering projects through full lifecycle: concept to documentation.
• Translate experimental needs into practical designs and technical specifications.
• Coordinate fabrication, assembly, and testing of components and systems.
• Develop, integrate, and commission complex scientific instruments and endstations.
• Perform hands-on assembly, alignment, testing and troubleshooting in lab and beamline environments.

Education

BS in mechanical engineering or related field

Tools

CAD

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a SLAC Directorate at Stanford University, is a national scientific user facility that provides synchrotron radiation capabilities for research in biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, materials science, medicine, and physics. SSRL operates and maintains the 3 GeV SPEAR3 electron storage ring, its associated injector facility, and the synchrotron radiation beamlines on SPEAR3.

Position Overview

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a SLAC Directorate at Stanford University, is a national scientific user facility that provides synchrotron radiation capabilities for research in biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, materials science, medicine, and physics. SSRL operates and maintains the 3 GeV SPEAR3 electron storage ring, its associated injector facility, and the synchrotron radiation beamlines on SPEAR3.

SSRL is seeking an outstanding engineer to join the Soft X-ray Group within the Materials Sciences Division. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic scientific research environment and provide engineering support for the operation, maintenance, development, and upgrade of soft x-ray beamlines and experimental endstations.

This position requires not only strong mechanical design and CAD capabilities, but also a hands‑on ability to assemble, integrate, test, troubleshoot, and commission complex scientific equipment in the laboratory and at the beamline.

The engineer will work closely with scientists, technicians, designers, and other engineers to translate scientific requirements into reliable and practical instrumentation.

The primary responsibilities include optimizing and upgrading existing soft x-ray beamlines, supporting the development of new experimental instruments and endstations, and helping ensure the safe and reliable operation of beamline and endstation systems.

The specific responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Manage engineering projects through the full lifecycle, including concept development, requirements definition, design, analysis, prototyping, procurement, fabrication, assembly, testing, installation, commissioning, and documentation.
• Work closely with scientists to translate experimental and operational needs into practical engineering requirements and technical designs.
• Coordinate with technicians, machinists, vendors, designers, and other engineers to ensure that components and systems are fabricated, assembled, installed, and tested correctly.
• Develop, construct, integrate, and commission complex scientific instruments and experimental endstations.
• Perform hands‑on assembly, alignment, integration, testing, and troubleshooting of mechanical, vacuum, motion‑control, and experimental systems in laboratory and beamline environments.
• Design, prototype, procure, assemble, and validate scientific equipment and components.
• Develop and integrate automated or semi‑automated systems for beamline operation, sample handling, instrument control, or experimental workflows.
• Support the integration of robotics, motion systems, sensors, cameras, actuators, and other mechatronic components into scientific instruments.
• Maintain, modify, repair, and troubleshoot beamline equipment, experimental endstations, and associated support systems.
• Prepare engineering drawings, assembly procedures, test plans, technical documentation, and safety‑related documentation.
• Participate in field installation activities and provide engineering support during equipment commissioning and user operations.
• Help ensure that all equipment and activities comply with applicable engineering, quality assurance, and safety requirements.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

To Be Successful In This Position, You Will Bring

• A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, mechatronics engineering, industrial design, or a related engineering discipline, and at least 2 years of relevant experience in mechanical design using CAD systems, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, develop, and evaluate mechanical designs.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, combined with creative and innovative thinking.
• Experience applying scientific and engineering principles to the design, construction, testing, operation, or support of technical systems.
• Experience with mechanical systems, including a practical understanding of machining, fabrication, assembly, tolerancing, fastening methods, and materials selection.
• Hands‑on experience assembling, testing, modifying, or troubleshooting mechanical equipment or scientific instrumentation.
• Experience using software applications, engineering tools, systems, or programs relevant to the position.
• Ability to review technical data, assess the validity of results, identify potential problems, and independently verify the quality of one’s own work.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and to perform assigned work independently within established procedures and safety guidelines.
• Ability and willingness to work directly with equipment in laboratories, experimental areas, and beamline environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

In addition, preferred requirements include experience in the following areas

• Scientific instrumentation, synchrotron beamlines, research equipment, or other complex mechanical systems.
• Ultrahigh‑vacuum and high‑vacuum systems, including component selection, assembly, leak checking, bakeout, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Parametric 3D CAD software and the preparation of detailed engineering drawings and assembly documentation.
• Mechanical design for precision positioning, optical alignment, motion systems, sample environments, or detector systems.
• Mechatronic systems involving motors, encoders, actuators, sensors, cameras, and motion‑control hardware.
• Automation, robotics, automated sample handling, or machine‑assisted experimental workflows.
• Integration of mechanical hardware with control systems, data‑acquisition systems, or laboratory software.
• Machine vision, camera‑based sensing, or automated inspection and alignment.
• Prototype development and iterative design based on laboratory or field‑testing results.
• Vendor coordination, procurement, fabrication oversight, and acceptance testing.
• Strong hands‑on fabrication, assembly, installation, and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience commissioning equipment in a research facility, laboratory, accelerator, or other technically complex operating environment.

Summary

RESPONSIBILITIES

An entry‑level position for a PhD graduate in a scientist position

or

A level for continuing career professional in an engineering position with fully functioning and independent skillset

Scope Of Impact

Executes well‑defined priorities or specific programmatic objectives.

Knowledge And Expertise

Demonstrated expertise in a specific scientific or technical area and ability to apply this expertise to complete program or project objectives.

Applies general principles, theories, and concepts, and contributes to the development of advancements.

Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to collaborate.

Program Development

Contributes to the completion of milestones associated with specific projects and technical products to accomplish the laboratory’s goals.

Minimum Education And Experience Required

BS in applicable engineering or scientific discipline and 2 years of relevant experience

About Us

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 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 . 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.