Staff Engineer 1 - Mechanical

SLAC Job Postings

Position Overview:

Do you enjoy collaborating with diverse people to solve complex challenges? Does contributing to breakthrough discoveries in science and working with unique experimental instrumentation in a world-leading scientific research environment excite you? The LCLS Engineering Division within the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Directorate at SLAC is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to contribute to developing and maintaining new X-ray science instruments.

LCLS is the world's first hard x-ray free-electron laser (FEL) with unprecedented capabilities in photon energy range, peak power, and pulse lengths. There are eight independent instruments currently in operation, which are specifically designed to utilize the exceptional beam characteristics of the LCLS to probe the structure and dynamics of matter at atomic size and timescales. As a member of the engineering team, you will have the opportunity to work on state-of-the-art optomechanical/x-ray optics systems and engage with LCLS staff and users to deliver world-leading scientific results.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Perform technical engineering and research responsibilities by applying engineering or scientific expertise, principles, and knowledge in fundamental research to the design and construction of experimental facilities and devices and developing solutions that advance the overall laboratory mission.
• Apply engineering and technical knowledge to develop novel hardware or software from concept and requirements through the design, fabrication, assembly, test, validation, installation, and commissioning phases.
• Utilize engineering, scientific, technical knowledge and practices to progress and complete milestones of projects or programs priorities or specific programmatic objectives.
• Employ analytical and problem-solving skills combined with creative and innovative thinking to complete engineering tasks and projects.
• Contribute to design reviews, cost estimates, schedules, system, and test documentation.
• Work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Liaise between researchers, engineers, students, technical staff, scientists, vendors, and other SLAC staff; serve as a resource, providing training and practical guidance.
• May oversee the work of technicians, science and engineering associates, and other staff associated with the group/projects and guide technicians, operators, and others working in a particular scientific or engineering function area.
• May contribute to research publications, develop engineering specifications or requirements and documentation
• Perform component conceptualization, analysis, and development of 3D models, materials selection, determination/ application of appropriate standards, tolerancing, detailing, vendor interfacing, procurement, and documentation preparation in compliance with SLAC/Directorate standards.
• Contribute to the mechanical engineering development for integrating and testing systems and devices, working with staff scientists, fabrication facilities and personnel, and technicians.

To be successful in this position, you will bring the following:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electronic, electrical, software, engineering physics, and other engineering disciplines or a combination of education and relevant experience in a related technical field.
• Experience with software applications, systems, or programs relevant to the job
• Experience using parametric CAD software (Solid Edge a plus)
• Understanding the fundamentals of heat transfer, thermal stress, and structural analysis and the ability to apply these to solve engineering problems.
• Ability to interpret and apply fundamental concepts and practices within a field of specialty to define the paths for completing assignments with well-defined scope.
• Ability to interpret and determine the validity of data and check own work.
• Ability to communicate effectively and timely both orally and in writing, necessary to collaborate in a team environment, particularly with specialists in other fields.
• Ability to give presentations at discipline-specific or project meetings.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Ability to communicate, liaise, and work with staff, students, faculty, and outside vendors
• Demonstrated ability to develop innovative and creative design concepts using strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

In addition, preferred experience includes:

• Producing mechanical shop drawings per ANSI drafting standards
• Mechanical fabrication practices
• Developing systems for vacuum applications or cryogenic environments.
• Optical lasers, optomechanical systems, x-ray optics, and ray trace analysis.
• Familiarity with GD&T
• Familiarity with ANSYS structural FEA modeling
• Working with Matlab
• Developing precision mechanisms
• Developing controlled motion systems
• Kinematic design

SLAC Employee Competencies:

• 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 to deliver 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, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
• Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented 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 the job.
• Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work

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

• Classification Title: Staff Engineer 1
• Job code: 0131 Grade: I
• Duration: Regular Continuing

The expected pay range for this position is $90,000 - $144,000per 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.