Staff Machine Protection Systems Engineer

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; California (MO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory’s SSRL invites a Staff Machine Protection System Engineer to lead protection systems, oversee modernization, and safeguard accelerator operations. You will guide safety-critical interlocks, coordinate with multiple technical groups, and ensure rapid fault detection and recovery.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in PLC-based interlock or protection systems, strong engineering judgment, and the ability to own complex system improvements in a research facility

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in EE/CE/Systems or related field
• Minimum 5 years of PLC-based interlock experience
• Experience with safety-critical control systems in operational environments
• Ability to independently analyze problems and lead implementations

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for Machine Protection System functions
• Lead modernization of legacy protection interlocks to PLC-based systems
• Troubleshoot and calibrate legacy vacuum gauge controllers and relays
• Develop and review safety-critical interlock logic using Studio 5000
• Develop HMI screens and data-logging for operational visibility
• Coordinate with accelerator physics, operations, vacuum, controls and electrical teams

Skills

PLC-based interlock

Protection systems

Engineering leadership

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional coordination

HMI & diagnostics

On-call support

Education

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

Tools

Studio 5000

Job description

Job Description

Position Overview

Are you an experienced engineer ready to lead advanced technical work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment? Do you thrive in a world-class scientific setting where reliable protection systems directly support accelerator operations, scientific user delivery, and breakthrough discoveries? Join the Operations Division of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) as a Staff Engineer 3 in the Protection Systems Group, where you will serve as a technical leader for safety-critical Machine Protection Systems and help guide the modernization of essential accelerator infrastructure.

The Staff Machine Protection System (MPS) Engineer provides advanced engineering leadership for the safety, reliability, and modernization of protection systems supporting the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. This role requires independent technical judgment, broad system ownership, and the ability to lead focused facility operations and engineering initiatives that are critical to mission delivery. The engineer will maintain and improve existing protection systems while leading the phased upgrade of aging infrastructure to modern PLC-based architectures. This includes ensuring that vacuum failures, magnet faults, beam instabilities, and other abnormal conditions are detected and mitigated in microseconds, protecting the accelerator, storage ring, and scientific instrumentation that enable SSRL's international user community.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership and System Ownership: Serve as the technical lead for assigned Machine Protection System functions, applying advanced engineering judgment to define system requirements, resolve complex technical issues, and ensure reliable protection of accelerator equipment and scientific instrumentation.
• Infrastructure Modernization: Lead the phased migration of legacy MPS hardware to modern PLC-based interlock systems. Develop upgrade strategies, design "bridge" interfaces that allow new PLC racks to communicate with existing legacy chassis, and coordinate implementation across multi-year upgrade cycles.
• Legacy Facility Support: Act as a subject matter expert for existing protection interlocks. Troubleshoot, repair, and calibrate legacy vacuum gauge controllers and relay-based logic; provide technical direction during fault recovery; and minimize downtime for the SSRL scientific user program.
• PLC Logic Development: Architect, program, and review safety-critical interlock logic using Studio 5000, including Ladder Logic and Structured Text. Develop and maintain Add-On Instructions (AOIs) for standardized control of vacuum valves, pumps, gauges, and related protection-system devices.
• HMI, Diagnostics, and Operational Visibility: Develop HMI screens, alarms, data-logging routines, and "First-Out" fault-detection tools that enable operators and engineers to quickly identify the originating cause of machine trips and improve operational recovery.
• Commissioning, Testing, and Readiness: Develop test plans and acceptance criteria, lead dry-run and commissioning activities during maintenance shutdowns, verify that interlock chains correctly inhibit beam operation under fault conditions, and document readiness for return to operations.
• Engineering Documentation and Configuration Control: Own and maintain system documentation, including interlock logic descriptions, I/O lists, test procedures, configuration records, and operational notes. Apply configuration management, version control, and formal change-control practices to safety-critical protection systems in accordance with SLAC Conduct of Engineering.
• Cross-Functional Coordination and Mentoring: Provide technical guidance to engineers, technicians, operators, and partner groups. Coordinate work with accelerator physics, operations, vacuum, controls, electrical engineering, and experimental systems teams to ensure protection systems meet evolving operational and scientific needs.
• Operational Support: Participate in shared on-call responsibility to provide 24/7 support for critical Machine Protection Systems, primarily during beam operations. Lead technical response to significant system issues and identify long-term corrective actions that improve reliability and maintainability.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, systems engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant engineering experience with PLC-based interlock, control, protection, or safety-critical systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying engineering principles to complex technical systems, including the ability to independently analyze problems, develop solutions, and lead implementation in operational environments.
• Experience designing, maint