Job Information
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Laser and Timing Systems Engineering Department Head in Menlo Park, California
Laser and Timing Systems Engineering Department Head
Job ID
5857
Location
SLAC - Menlo Park, CA
Full-Time
Regular
SLAC Job Postings
Position Overview
The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Engineering Division at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks a mechanical engineer to lead the Lasers and Timing Systems Engineering Department.
LCLS is an X-ray Free Electron (FEL) facility operated by Stanford University at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory on behalf of the Department of Energy / Office of Science. This facility provides world-leading scientific capabilities to a global user community, covering a broad research portfolio that includes developing advanced materials and chemical catalysts for clean energy systems, drug discovery for modern pharmaceuticals, and fundamental studies of astrophysical phenomena. Seven (7) independent instruments are specifically designed to utilize the unique beam characteristics of the LCLS to meet these scientific objectives.
The evolution of the facility and its experimental capabilities, including upgrading the X-ray FEL source and the experimental instruments and adding a Petawatt class laser to the Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) experimental endstation, will continue to present unique engineering challenges.
The Laser and Timing Systems Engineering Department supports LCLS, Accelerator Directorate, and Other SLAC R&D groups with mechanical engineers, optical engineers, RF electrical engineers, and laser engineers. The department supports the design, procurement, delivery, installation, maintenance, and transfer Operations of laser delivery to hutches and synchronizes those lasers to the LCLS XFEL. In addition to this project delivery aspect, the department supports daily operations to ensure the timing systems function correctly. From the R&D perspective, the department supplies engineering support to design and test proof of principal capabilities and works closely with the Science and Research Division early in the R&D phase to ensure that next-generation lasers are operable and maintainable.
As the head of the Lasers and Timing Systems Engineering Department, in addition to engineering responsibilities, you will manage a team of multidisciplinary engineers, provide supervision, guidance, and training, foster staff development, promote engineering rigor, and participate in hiring activities to support the LCLS mission. This position administratively reports to the LCLS Engineering Division Leader within the LCLS Directorate.
SLAC is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park, CA.
Your specific responsibilities include:
Leadership and Management: The Department Head would lead a team of scientists, engineers, and technicians. This includes managing personnel, defining team roles, setting goals, and ensuring the department aligns with the facility's objectives.
Laser Systems Oversight: Overseeing the development, maintenance, and operation of laser systems integral to the FEL's function. This includes ensuring that the laser systems are optimized for experiments, operate safely, and are maintained to prevent downtime.
Provide engineering leadership for integrating and testing systems and devices, working with staff scientists, fabrication facilities and personnel, and technicians.
Provide leadership in developing and sustaining timing and synchronization systems, ensuring the precise timing and synchronization of laser pulses by developing and maintaining highly precise timing systems, often down to the femtosecond range.
In conjunction with the LCLS Laser Science and Research Department, leading or contributing to research initiatives to improve laser performance, timing techniques, and synchronization technologies. This could involve experimental research, simulation, modeling, or the development of new technologies.
Working closely with other departments and external researchers who use the XFEL for experiments. This includes planning and supporting experimental campaigns, ensuring the laser and timing systems meet the specific needs of each experiment, and troubleshooting any issues that arise.
Responsible for ensuring all laser and timing operations comply with safety standards and regulatory requirements. This includes conducting safety audits, providing training, and implementing safety protocols.
Responsible for the execution and delivery of technical scope, within budget and on schedule, with a high degree of quality assurance using standardized engineering processes.
May function as a Cost Account Manager (CAM) in project management roles.
Promote adherence to the LCLS Conduct of Engineering, ensuring engineering rigor with accurate documentation and engineering review.
Provide the department with leadership in project engineering to support system development, integration, commissioning, and the effective transfer of new capabilities to operations.
Influence strategic technical decisions made by LCLS senior management.
Perform engineering duties requiring significant scheduling and budgeting responsibility.
To be successful in this position, you will bring:
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optics, or a related field. With a deep practical understanding of the principles behind laser technology, electron dynamics, and X-ray generation.
At least eight years of experience in the field of laser science and technology, specifically related to synchrotron radiation, X-ray lasers, or electron beam physics. This includes experience in designing, operating, and maintaining laser systems and timing synchronization mechanisms.
Demonstrated experience leading large 30+ multidisciplinary technical teams.
Leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and supervisory skills to lead personnel, write performance appraisals, and actively participate in ranking and hiring activities.
Experience with engineering tools such as Zemax, Ansys, and Matlab.
Ability to promote and maintain productive relationships across LCLS and SLAC.
Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to present, explain, and advise LCLS senior management and/or external sponsors.
Experience working independently and responsively to changing priorities and ability to meet deadlines.
Exercising sound engineering judgment.
Experience in systems engineering, specifically model-based systems engineering.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a diverse team environment.
A solid commitment to safety, understanding of regulatory requirements, and the ability to implement effective safety protocols in a dynamic laboratory environment.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
An advanced degree and leadership experience in XFEL facility
Project management experience, specifically DOE 413.3b.
Experience with user facilities and/or national laboratories.
Formal training/experience in systems engineering processes and methodologies.
SLAC Manager Competencies:
Results through Others: Achieves expected results by effectively delegating and managing the work of others.
Aligns Priorities: Ensures planning and prioritization of resources and work efforts; ensures alignment of direct and matrix reports to support organizational goals and business plans.
Applies Lab Acumen: Maintains an understanding of lab efforts and direction as well as current research and trends, considers technology and customer impacts, and contributes relevant, informed ideas to lab growth.
Navigates Complexity: Manages a multitude of information and complex circumstances to discern what is most important; demonstrates effective problem-solving, decision-making, and takes appropriate action, even in difficult situations or with conflicting data.
Builds Trust: Earns trust and credibility from team members, peers and stakeholders; demonstrates SLAC values of respect and integrity.
Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve team, department/directorate and lab goals.
Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences; delivers clear and appropriate written and verbal communications; makes clear and impactful presentations to a variety of internal and external audiences.
Self-Awareness: Seeks feedback from others and takes ownership of, and actions to address what is learned; recognizes impact on others and adjusts as needed; pursues continuous learning opportunities; implements a meaningful development plan.
Team Effectiveness: Effectively motivates team members and fosters a diverse and collaborative team environment; leverages team members' strengths for overall team effectiveness; incorporates insights to improve team operations.
Purpose & Vision: Articulates a clear vision of expected outcomes; inspires others to execute work plans and feel a sense of purpose and ownership for the mission.
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.
Work standards:
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 1—General 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/
Job Classification: Research Technical Manager 2
Grade: MJob Code: 4987
Duration: Regular Continuing
The expected pay range for this position is $176,000 - $210,000 per annum. 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.
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer and supports diversity in the workplace. 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.