Detector Engineer

SLAC Job Postings

Position Overview

The Detector Department within the Experimental Operations Division at SLAC¿s Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS-II) Directorate is seeking a Detector Technologist to develop, deploy, and support our cutting-edge x-ray detector systems. This role contributes to transformative physical and biological research at one of the world¿s premier research facilities, home to the first hard x-ray free-electron laser. X-ray detectors are integral to experiment success, requiring continued development to meet the demands of the LCLS-II-HE upgrade and future advancements.

As part of the LCLS Detector Operations Department, you will collaborate with LCLS users, scientific and engineering teams, and SLAC management to maintain, optimize, and advance state-of-the-art x-ray detector systems. Your responsibilities will bridge technical expertise, operational support, and user interaction to ensure seamless detector integration and optimization for groundbreaking experiments. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development and operation of state-of-the-art x-ray detector systems, supporting world-class scientific research and innovation.

SLAC is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park, CA.

Your specific responsibilities include :

• Build a performance knowledge base for the operational suite of high-performance detectors through lab and beamline testing.
• Maintain and enhance documentation for detector operations and processes.
• Facilitate communication between beamline scientists, detector teams, and technical groups to align detector capabilities with experimental needs.
• Deploy, calibrate, and troubleshoot detectors for user experiments.
• Collaborate with LCLS instrument and control teams to optimize detector performance, improving data quality and scientific outcomes.
• Identify and mitigate risks to detector assets, developing fail-safe measures in coordination with the Detector Operations Head, Controls Group, and Data Systems Group.
• Diagnose and repair detector system issues, working with vendors and scientific staff for advanced repairs.

Additional Responsibilities

• Develop and implement efficient characterization and calibration methods to ensure data integrity during experiments and maintain detector reliability.
• Perform acceptance testing on new detectors to verify compliance with specifications.
• Support the integration and commissioning of new detectors.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Bachelor¿s degree in physical sciences, engineering, or a related field with a focus on radiation detector characterization or a similar area, plus 4+ years of experience in x-ray detectors and scientific instrumentation.
• Experience conducting x-ray science experiments at synchrotron or XFEL user facilities.
• Proficiency in x-ray sensor and ASIC characterization, particularly for hybrid pixel detectors.
• Expertise in detector operation and calibration, especially for charge-integrating hybrid pixel detectors.
• Ability to write test and analysis scripts (e.g., Python) and familiarity with Linux.
• Strong communication skills to effectively explain complex technical concepts.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams and organizations.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• Ph.D. in radiation detector characterization or a related field and 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience with vacuum systems.
• Expertise in hardware testing and electronic property characterization at the device level.

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 and maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
• Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate 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 the 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 2
• Job code: 0132 Grade: K
• 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.