Beamline Engineering Group Leader - SSRL Materials Science Division

Overview

Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a SLAC Directorate at Stanford University, is a national scientific user facility providing synchrotron radiation for research in biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, material science, medicine, and physics. SSRL operates and maintains the 3-GeV electron storage ring SPEAR3, the associated injector facility, and synchrotron radiation beamlines on SPEAR
3.

The Materials Science Division (MSD) seeks an accomplished Beamline Engineering Group Leader to manage and supervise a team of beamline engineers to provide engineering support to the hard X-ray group, including operation, optimization, maintenance and upgrade of existing hard X-ray beamlines as well as instrument development on the end stations. This leadership role combines technical depth, strategic planning, personnel management, and cross-division collaboration to ensure reliable operations and to drive the development of next-generation experimental capabilities.

• Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of beamline engineers supporting multiple hard X-ray beamlines within MSD.
• Set technical priorities, allocate engineering resources, and ensure timely execution of maintenance, upgrades, and user support activities.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance team culture aligned with SSRL and SLAC values.
• Manage training, professional development, and performance evaluations for engineering staff.
• Ensure safe, reliable, and high-quality operation of MSD hard X-ray beamlines and end stations, including readiness for user programs.
• Establish engineering best practices, operational procedures, and documentation standards across the group.
• Coordinate with beamline system, operations, accelerator, and facilities teams to ensure beamline operations remain compliant with SLAC and DOE requirements.
• Develop and execute long term engineering plans for beamline upgrades, new instrumentation, and capability expansion based on the MSD scientific priorities.
• Provide technical leadership for complex projects involving X-ray optics, precision motion systems, detectors, vacuum systems, and in situ/operando instrumentation.
• Guide conceptual design, engineering reviews, procurement, fabrication, installation, and commissioning of new systems.
• Identify opportunities for innovation that enhance experimental throughput, stability, automation, and scientific impact.
• Partner with beamline scientists to ensure beamlines meet evolving scientific needs.
• Oversee engineering support for user experiments, including troubleshooting, configuration, and optimization of beamline systems.
• Contribute to beamtime scheduling processes and operational planning.
• Work closely with other divisions at SSRL to align engineering activities with laboratory priorities.
• Represent the engineering group in division level planning and strategic initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 4 years of relevant experience in synchrotron radiation instrumentation, X-ray beamline engineering, or complex scientific facility operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams or managing engineering projects of significant scope.
• Deep technical expertise in several of the following areas: strong analytical, problem solving, and conceptual design skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community of scientists, engineers, technicians, and users in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to safety, documentation quality, and operational excellence.

• Experience managing engineering teams in a scientific user facility environment.
• Expertise in project management methodologies and tools.
• Hands on experience assembling complex mechanical systems and handling delicate instrumentation.
• Familiarity with DOE laboratory operations, safety systems, and project execution frameworks.

• 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.

• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide…