Beam Delivery Systems Engineering Department Head

Position Overview 

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Engineering Division at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a mechanical engineer to lead the Beam Delivery 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 the development of 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 Beam Delivery Systems Engineering Department supports LCLS with mechanical engineers and engineering physicists. The department supports the design, operations, and maintenance of the X-ray beam paths to ensure systems meet experimental requirements and reliably deliver X-ray photons on target. This includes developing mechatronic and optomechanical systems to precisely control X-ray beam alignment, wavefront, and timing. And the design, characterization, and procurement of high-performance X-ray mirrors. This department operates off-line laboratories for advanced metrology of X-ray mirrors and new techniques to clean mirror coatings in situ. 

As the head of the Beam Delivery Systems Engineering Department, in addition to engineering responsibilities, you will manage a team of 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.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Provide engineering leadership for new initiatives that advances advance X-ray experimental capabilities through delivery of complex scientific instrumentation, X-ray and laser system opto-mechanical systems, experiment and beamline diagnostics, and target delivery systems.

• Provide engineering leadership for the integration and testing of systems and devices, working with staff scientists, fabrication facilities and personnel, and technicians.
• 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.

• Prepare and conduct performance management activities for department personnel and contribute to the LCLS engineering ranking and salary management processes.

• Influence strategic technical decisions made by LCLS senior management.

• Contribute to the definition of complex engineering solutions for X-ray based experiments.

• Perform engineering duties requiring significant scheduling and budgeting responsibility.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field and at least eight years of experience with the design and operation of beam delivery systems.

• Leadership, interpersonal skills, organizational, and supervisory skills to lead personnel, write performance appraisals, and actively participate in ranking and hiring activities.
• Experience with engineering tools such as Solid Edge, ANSYS and/or 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
• Manufacturing, assembly, and installation coordination of complex systems.
• Exercising sound engineering judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a diverse team environment.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• An advanced degree and experience with scientific instrumentation, project management, and/or technical supervision.
• Experience in X-ray FEL, synchrotron, metrology, and/or laser system engineering.
• Experience with user facilities and/or national laboratories.
• Formal training/experience in systems engineering processes and methodologies

Summary:

Leader who has consistently demonstrated establishing or leading research programs, projects, groups, or mission critical systems that are essential to meeting the scientific and operational goals of the laboratory.

Scope of Impact:

Provides leadership identifying, promoting, and developing core laboratory capabilities, influencing future scientific or technicaldirection of the laboratory.
Delivers research or technology objectives with high distinction.
 

Knowledge and Expertise:

Generates and develops advanced scientific or technical capabilities in a broad field of knowledge for several applications and has fully demonstrated grasp of related disciplines.
Consistently leads focused research, technologies, design, or facility operations with creativity and innovation.
Demonstrated excellence in communicating research progress to both internal and external audiences.
 

Directing Others/Supervision:

Demonstrated ability to build and lead effective teams and to actively mentor staff.

Program Development:

Generates new applications, programs or proposals and leads their development.
Generates solutions to key technical or scientific challenges critical to program/project success.

Minimum Education and Experience Required:

BS in applicable engineering or scientific discipline and 8 years of relevant experience