Staff Engineer 2 - Control System Integrator

SLAC Job Postings

Position overview:

Do you enjoy collaborating with a diverse group of 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 Experiment Control Systems (ECS) division within the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Directorate at SLAC is seeking a Control System Integrator to spearhead control system development for major facility upgrades as well as operational improvement projects for the facility.

As a member of the ECS Project Management and Integration Team, you will join a multidisciplinary engineering group in the design, deployment, and commissioning of technology for controlling and operating scientific instrumentation at LCLS. You will work on developing and delivering highly functional control systems for LCLS projects at varying scales.

The LCLS control systems are responsible for enabling safe, reliable, and coordinated operation of beam delivery systems (laser and XFEL) and experimental instrumentation.

They support automated and interlocked control of complex mechatronic and instrumentation systems.

The delivery of these control systems requires a deep understanding of high-level stakeholder needs and state-of-the-art technical capabilities. Successful control system delivery depends on interfacing with nearly all groups in the project process, managing relationships and maintaining a sufficient understanding of the evolution of the overall system design.

A successful hire will engage with LCLS staff and project stakeholders to understand entire project visions as well as learn the essential features of the core control system architectures. With this knowledge the Control System Integrator will plan and execute control system projects in collaboration with other ECS staff acting as the focal point for communication and coordination.

See for more on LCLS and the unique capabilities of our instrument facilities.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Represent the needs and interests of the ECS group in the planning, design, and installation phases of LCLS projects by working as the primary interface to stakeholders and other groups.
• Specification and management of controls infrastructure requirements in the project design phase.
• Plan, coordinate and assist in control system installation.
• Drive test and checkout processes, ensure test procedures are prepared and ready, assist with quality assurance throughout the process.
• Manage materials and supplies acquisition for controls, working with the LCLS procurement team to ensure hardware is available when needed.
• Develop and improve internal processes for project execution.
• Research and deploy new engineering tools to improve design efficiency.
• Ownership of cable, rack and design component database systems.
• Manage subcontractor work through contract development and oversight.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, mathematics, physics, engineering or related discipline and minimum 2 years of experience in designing and implementing PLC-based controls solutions.
• Ability to learn and understand the workings of a broad range of hardware and software.
• Exceptional communications skills and ability to work well in a research and development team.
• Demonstrated project leadership, planning, and excellent organizational skills.
• Effective communication with external vendors of equipment and/or services, for purposes of purchasing, outsourcing, or support.
• Strong problem-solving skills in highly technical applications, and a demonstrated ability of independent decision making.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• Project management or coordination.
• Development of project schedules using Gantt charts.
• Estimating and development of project budgets.
• Management of project workflows, experience de-conflicting schedules and prioritizing efforts.
• Delivery of control system integration or automation engineering projects.
• System engineering requirements development, decomposition, and validation.

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 his or her job.
• Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work.

Work Standard:

• 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:
• 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,
• 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 Identity 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.

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• Classification Title: Staff Engineer
• Grade: K, Job Code: 0132
• Duration: Regular Continuing

The expected pay range for this position is $134,906 - $164,965 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.