Job Information
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Staff Optical Engineer - LCLS Engineering Division in Menlo Park, California
Staff Optical Engineer - LCLS Engineering Division
Job ID
5941
Location
SLAC - Menlo Park, CA
Full-Time
Regular
SLAC Job Postings
Position Overview:
The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is an internationally preeminent science 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.
We are seeking a candidate to fill the position of Staff Optical Engineer. The successful candidate will help drive a dynamic and exciting environment, collaborating with a diverse team of scientists and engineers developing state-of-the-art high-energy laser facilities, laser beam conditioning, diagnostics, and delivery systems for the LCLS free electron x-ray laser’s experimental end stations.
Major upgrades to LCLS are currently underway, representing well over a billion dollars of investment. Over the next five years, LCLS will design and deliver a new suite of science instruments to transform this field, taking advantage of the orders-of-magnitude increase in X-ray beam power as the pulse repetition rate is increased from 120 pulses/second to 1 million/second. This drives the need for entirely new capabilities in the optical pump sources. Additionally, a major multi-year project is underway to upgrade the LCLS facility with both kilojoule and petawatt lasers, enabling high peak power optical and X-ray photons to combine on target, providing world-leading capabilities in the field of fusion science.
The successful candidate will join the Laser Engineering and Timing group within the LCLS Mechanical Engineering Division and support new and existing programs through optical design and modeling, procurement, integration and alignment, and test/verification of a wide variety of optical systems across LCLS. A major component of this role is to develop a robust program for operations support of these systems.
Your specific responsibilities include:
Collaborate closely with the engineering and scientific staff at LCLS to develop optical designs for beam conditioning, beam transport, relay imaging, laser focusing, and associated laser diagnostic systems. This includes formulating concepts of operations using engineering principles to ensure the final product is dependable, available, and maintainable.
Oversee the execution and delivery of new optical and optomechanical systems for optical pump laser conditioning, delivery, and laser diagnostics throughout the LCLS facility.
Lead the detailed design, procurement, installation, alignment, integration, and validation of these systems, providing engineering support for ongoing operations, maintenance, and upgrades.
Collaborate with mechanical engineers, designers, and drafters to develop optomechanical support structures and mechanisms that support the optics of these designs, ensuring suitable degrees of freedom for proper alignment.
Document the optical designs and develop a training and operations support plan that ensures high uptime and ease of repair.
To be successful in this position you will bring:
Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field and minimum 2-year experience in the following areas:
Optical design and analysis.
Deep understanding of ray and Fourier optics.
Commercial lens design and optical analysis software.
Collaborating with mechanical engineers to develop optomechanical systems.
Optical metrology equipment and methods.
Installation, commissioning, and transfer to operations of complex systems.
Preparing detailed optics drawings for fabrication.
Experience with optical coatings, including high laser damage-resistant coatings.
Direct experience installing and aligning precision optical systems.
Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative work environment.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a diverse team environment.
Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary for effective collaboration in a team environment.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
Experience with high-energy nanosecond (ns), picosecond (ps), and femtosecond (fs) pulsed lasers is highly desirable, especially within a scientific research facility.
Knowledge of nonlinear wavelength conversion.
Proficiency in Zemax OpticStudio, MATLAB, FRED, and Python preferred.
Relevant project experience in managing requirements, costs, schedules, and the delivery of complex systems.
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 2
Job code: 0132 Grade: K
Duration: Regular Continuing
The expected pay range for this position is $108,000 to $163,000per 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.
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.