Staff Engineer - SSRL Materials Science Division

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's SSRL invites applications for a Staff Engineer in the hard x-ray group of the Materials Science Division. The role focuses on engineering support for instrument development on end stations and creating new sample environments, including rapid heating/cooling, high-pressure cells, and laser excitation setups.

You will design, prototype, and maintain beamline hardware, align optics, and provide technical support for operations while collaborating with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, chemistry or related field with at least 2 years of experience.
• Hands-on experience with x-ray scattering, diffraction, reflectivity, or microscopy using synchrotron instrumentation.
• Experience with in-situ/operando instrument design.
• Mechanical design and drawing with SolidWorks or Solid Edge.
• Fabrication techniques and precision mechanism design knowledge.
• Strong hands-on skills assembling complex mechanical systems.
• Scientific programming experience, e.g., Python.
• Experience interfacing instrumentation with Linux and Windows.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop in-situ/operando experimental hardware for synchrotron experiments.
• Identify and execute projects to expand capabilities and streamline beamline operations.
• Design, prototype, commission, and maintain beamline hardware and provide technical support.
• Contribute engineering input to beam time scheduling by aligning readiness and needs.
• Align x-ray optics, diagnose beam quality, and resolve performance issues.
• May serve as a beam line program manager with periodic on-call duties.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

Skills

X-ray instrumentation

SolidWorks

Python

Beamline operations

Mechanical design

Troubleshooting

Linux/Windows

Education

BS in engineering or science

Tools

EPICS

SPEC

ICS

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

SSRL is seeking an outstanding Staff Engineer to join a dynamic scientific research environment in the hard x-ray group of the Materials Science Division. The primary responsibility of this position is to provide engineering support to the hard x-ray group, including assisting scientists with instrument development on the end stations and working with scientists and users to develop new sample environments, such as rapid heating/cooling, strain or high-pressure cells, chemical and electrochemical environments, or laser excitation setups.

Position Overview

SSRL is seeking an outstanding Staff Engineer to join a dynamic scientific research environment in the hard x-ray group of the Materials Science Division. The primary responsibility of this position is to provide engineering support to the hard x-ray group, including assisting scientists with instrument development on the end stations and working with scientists and users to develop new sample environments, such as rapid heating/cooling, strain or high-pressure cells, chemical and electrochemical environments, or laser excitation setups.

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

Your Specific Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Design and develop in-situ/operando experimental hardware and technical capabilities for advanced synchrotron experiments.
• Identify, scope and execute projects that expand experimental capabilities, improve system reliability, and streamline beamline operations.
• Design, prototype, commission, and maintain beamline hardware, and provide high-quality technical support for scientific operations.
• Contribute engineering input to the beam time scheduling by aligning instrument readiness, maintenance needs, and experimental requirements.
• Align x-ray optics, diagnose beam quality issues, and resolve system-level performance problems.
• May serve as a beam line program manager (requires periodic on-call duties).
• Other duties may also be assigned.

To Be Successful In This Position You Will Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, chemistry or related field and at least 2 years of experience in a scientific, engineering, or technical environment, including:
  • Hands-on experience with small/wide angle x-ray scattering, diffraction, reflectivity, or microscopy with synchrotron radiation instrumentation.
  • Hands-on experience with in-situ/operando instrument design.
  • Mechanical design and drawing creation using parametric CAD software such as SolidWorks or Solid Edge.
  • Working knowledge of mechanical fabrication techniques, precision mechanism design, and kinematic design principles related to mechanical systems design.
  • Strong hands-on skills in assembling complex mechanical systems and handling delicate instruments.
  • Scientific programming experience, such as Python.
  • Experience interfacing scientific instrumentation or industrial controls with Linux and Windows operating systems.
• Demonstrated ability to translate concepts into practical designs, supported by strong analytical and problem-solving, and creative engineering judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse group of scientists, technical staff and user groups in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently.
• Ability to write clear technical documentation, engineering notes, and user manuals.
• Ability to evaluate and troubleshoot sophisticated electro-mechanical and logic control systems.

In Addition, Preferred Qualifications Include The Following Areas

• Knowledge of beamline control and data acquisition software such as EPICS, SPEC, or IC S.
• Experience tuning x-ray optics and opto-electro-mechanical systems.
• Experience with beamline optics simulation using ray-tracing software.

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