Staff Engineer - Protection Systems
Job in
Menlo Park, San Mateo County, California, 94025, USA
Listed on 2026-05-22
Listing for:
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Full Time
position Listed on 2026-05-22
Job specializations:
-
Engineering
Systems Engineer, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineer
Job Description & How to Apply Below
Job
6762
Location
SLAC - Menlo Park, CA
Full-Time
Regular
** SLAC Job Postings*
* *
* Position overview:
*
* Are you passionate about solving complex technical challenges in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment? Do you thrive in a world-class scientific research setting, contributing to breakthrough discoveries and working with cutting-edge experimental instrumentation? Join the Operations Division of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) as a safety systems engineer in the Protection Systems Group.
The Machine Protection System (MPS) Engineer is responsible for the safety and reliability of the equipment of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. This role is a balance of operational support and systems engineering: you will maintain the existing protection systems that keep this world-class particle accelerator facility running while leading the critical upgrade of our aging infrastructure to modern standards.
You will ensure that vacuum failures, magnet faults, or beam instabilities are detected and mitigated in microseconds, protecting both the storage ring and the advanced scientific instrumentation that relies on it, critical in enabling the high-impact research performed by SSRL's international research community.
** Your specific responsibilities include:*
* +
** Infrastructure Modernization:
** Drive the phased migration of legacy MPS hardware to modern PLC-based interlock systems. Design "bridge" interfaces that allow new PLC racks to communicate with existing legacy chassis during multi-year upgrade cycles.
+
** Legacy Facility Support:
** Act as the subject matter expert for the current protection interlocks. Troubleshoot, repair, and calibrate legacy vacuum gauge controllers and relay-based logic to minimize downtime for the SSRL scientific user program.
+
** PLC Logic Development:
** Architect and program safety-critical interlock logic using
** Studio 5000 (Ladder, Structured Text)** . Develop
** Add-On Instructions (AOIs)
** for standardized control of vacuum valves, pumps, and gauges.
+
** HMI & Diagnostics:
** Develop HMI screens and data-logging routines to provide "First-Out" fault detection, allowing operators to identify the exact sensor that initiated a machine trip.
+
** Commissioning & Testing:
** Develop test procedures and lead "Dry Run" testing of interlock chains during maintenance shutdowns to verify that logic correctly inhibits beam operation under fault conditions.
+
** Engineering Documentation** :
Own and maintain system documentation, including interlock logic descriptions, I/O lists, test procedures, configuration records, and operational notes. Ensure updates are captured as part of upgrade, commissioning, and troubleshooting activities. Apply configuration management, version control, and formal change control practices to safety-critical protection systems in accordance with SLAC Conduct of Engineering.
+
** Operational Support** :
Participate in a shared on-call responsibility to provide 24/7 support for critical Machine Protection Systems, primarily during beam operations. Work closely with accelerator physics, operations, vacuum, controls, and experimental systems groups to ensure protection systems meet the evolving needs of SSRL's scientific user program.
** To be successful in this position you will bring:*
* + Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
+ Minimum 2 years of experience with PLC-based interlock systems
+ Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex systems, particularly in "mixed-technology" environments where modern PLCs must interface with legacy hardware.
+ Experience documenting engineering changes and writing standard operating procedures (SOPs).
+ Effective communication skills across multidisciplinary teams, including physics, engineering, and operations.
+ Willingness to provide occasional 24/7 support for the assigned systems.
** In addition, preferred requirements include:*
* + Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field.
+ 5+ years of experience with PLC-based interlock systems, preferably in the Allen-Bradley (Rockwell) suite.
+ Hardware experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMIs, or equivalent PLC architectures.
+ Experience working in an accelerator facility.
Experience with PLC interface and control software for:
Power Supplies, RF, Beam Position Monitors and other beam diagnostics, digitizers, Motion Control, Thermocouples, Radiation Monitors, and vacuum instrumentation.
+ Experience designing, engineering, and implementing safety instrumented systems in alignment with functional safety standards.
+ Knowledge of Linux, Python, MATLAB, EPICS.
** 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…
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