Job Information
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Staff Engineer 3, SSRL RF Systems in Menlo Park, California
Staff Engineer 3, SSRL RF Systems
Job ID
6660
Location
SLAC - Menlo Park, CA
Full-Time
Regular
SLAC Job Postings
Position Overview:
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's SPEAR3 is one of the four US third generation lightsources' electron storage rings dedicated to producing brilliant X-ray beams. SPEAR3 serves Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a national user facility with the longest history of utilizing synchrotron radiation for multi-disciplinary experiments studying many of the most pressing scientific issues facing humanity including those in medicine, biology, energy, and the environment. SSRL supports over 1500 research scientists annually. SPEAR3 operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week during each annual 5000-hour user run.
Members of our SSRL Accelerator Team are responsible for operating and improving electron accelerators that produce high brightness x-rays for SSRL. The accelerator complex consists of an RF electron gun, 120-MeV linear accelerator, a 10-Hz cycling booster synchrotron to accelerate electrons from 120 MeV to 3 GeV, and the main SPEAR3 storage ring that emits x-ray synchrotron radiation from bend magnets, wigglers and undulators. The accelerator team has expertise in instrumentation, fast feedback systems, real-time software applications, systems analysis, and accelerator beam dynamics. The group conducts regular testing of system components with live beam to demonstrate new concepts and collaborates with other groups at SLAC for development, prototype implementation, system deployment and systems analysis.
The SSRL Accelerator RF Group is responsible for maintaining, operating, and improving the RF systems that power the electron storage ring and its injector. These systems include high peak power klystrons, solid state amplifiers, low-level RF (LLRF) control systems, high-voltage power supplies, and precision feedback loops critical to the stability of these systems.
We are seeking an RF Engineer with a strong background in RF and microwave engineering, high-power RF systems, and accelerator technology to support and enhance SSRL's RF infrastructure. The successful candidate will work closely with scientists, engineers, and technical staff to maintain the current RF systems for SPEAR3's storage ring, booster synchrotron, and injector linac, recommend new improvements to the current systems, and design, build, and commission those improvements. The candidate will also support the construction, testing, and commissioning of the storage ring RF system upgrade project as well as a major project to migrate the SPEAR3 RF source from a klystron/high voltage power supply system to a solid-state amplifier system. In addition to a strong theoretical background, this role also requires hands-on experience with RF system diagnostics, troubleshooting, and improvements to ensure high reliability and performance.
SLAC is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park, CA.
Your specific responsibilities include:
Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize RF systems, including high-power klystron amplifiers, solid-state amplifiers, waveguide systems, and low-level RF control systems.This may include infrequent off-hour or call-in work to restore the systems to operation during the user run.
Develop and implement improvements to enhance RF system reliability, and operability.
Design, develop, and implement RF components and subsystems, including cavity tuning systems, RF feedback loops, and phase/amplitude stabilization.
Analyze and diagnose RF system performance using advanced measurement techniques, including signal generators, vector network analyzers (VNAs), spectrum analyzers, power meters, and time-domain reflectometry.
Lead and contribute to projects for RF system upgrades, including planning, design, procurement, documentation, test stand development, final system installation, and commissioning.
Ensure compliance with safety protocols for high-power RF systems, high-voltage equipment, and accelerator operation standards.
Support SSRL operations and beam studies, working closely with physicists and accelerator operators to ensure stable and reliable beam delivery.
To be successful in this position you will bring:
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, RF engineering, applied physics, or a related field.
Minimum of 4 years' experience in RF/microwave engineering, high-power RF systems, or accelerator technology.
Strong hands-on experience with RF components such as klystrons, solid-state amplifiers, waveguides, circulators, RF cavities, combiners, couplers, etc.
Proficiency in RF measurement techniques using signal generators, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, power meters, and oscilloscopes.
Experience with RF system modeling and simulation.
Understanding of feedback and control systems for RF stabilization.
Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose RF-related technical issues and implement corrective solutions.
Computer skills that enable one to use existing control systems to acquire and analyze data.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to properly document one work, and the ability to collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced research environment.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
Master's or Ph.D. in RF/microwave engineering, accelerator physics, or a related field.
Experience with low-level RF (LLRF) control systems for accelerator applications.
Knowledge of FPGA-based RF control implementations.
Experience with pulsed RF systems, modulators, and high-voltage power supplies.
Familiarity with vacuum tube RF amplifiers (e.g., klystrons) and their operation.
Programming experience (e.g., Python, C++, MATLAB, or EPICS).
Experience working in a national laboratory, university research setting, or large-scale RF system environment.
Strong project leadership skills with experience managing technical projects from concept to deployment.
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, appropriately 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. The normal workweek is day shift Monday through Friday.But may have to work off-shift hours to restore SPEAR3 to operation and may work extended hours during peak business cycles.
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
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.
Classification Title : Staff Engineer 3
Grade: L Job Code:
Duration : Regular Continuing
The expected pay range for this position is $168,965 - $200,792 per annum.
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. 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.
At SLAC/Stanford, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.
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.