Staff Engineer - Protection Systems at SSRL

Staff Engineer 2 - Protection Systems at SSRL

Job

Location:

SLAC – Menlo Park, CA

Employment Type:

Full-Time, Regular

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?

The Operations Division within the SSRL Directorate at SLAC is seeking a Staff Engineer Level2 to join the Protection Systems Group
. This group is responsible for the design, implementation, and stewardship of SSRL's beamline and accelerator safety systems, including Machine Protection Systems (MPS), Personnel Protection Systems (PPS), and Beam Containment Systems (BCS).

In this role, you will engineer safety systems of considerable scope and complexity, collaborating with engineers, technicians, and scientists to ensure the safe and reliable operation of SSRL's facilities.

• Contribute technical expertise to the implementation of PLC‑based systems and the modification of legacy, relay‑based safety systems.
• Operate within established configuration control processes and utilize version control software effectively.
• Participate in system design reviews, planning activities, and documentation efforts to support SSRL's high availability standards.
• Develop subject matter expertise in Personal Protection Systems (PPS) and Hutch Protection Systems (HPS).
• Demonstrate safe and effective use of a voltmeter for troubleshooting electrical circuits.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, interface documentation, and logic diagrams; execute validation tests accordingly.
• Execute responsibilities in the framework of the SLAC Conduct of Engineering.

• Execute programmatic objectives and priorities with technical independence.
• Attend weekly planning and daily meetings.
• Seek guidance from SLAC‑wide safety systems groups to ensure consistency and best practices.
• Plan and execute system maintenance with minimal disruption to 24/7 operations.
• Communicate effectively across disciplines including physics, engineering, and operations.
• Using SharePoint, CDMS, Team Center and other databases pertaining to protection systems.
• Provide occasional 24/7 support for owned systems.
• Perform annual certification checkout procedures.
• Respond to operations requests.

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics, computer engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Demonstrated literacy in reading and interpreting engineering schematics, specifications, and logic diagrams.
• Strong troubleshooting skills, including safe use of diagnostic tools such as voltmeters.
• Effective communication skills across multidisciplinary teams, including physics, engineering, and operations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, operational environment.
• Willingness to provide occasional 24/7 support for the assigned systems.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and contribute to a culture of safety and reliability.

• Minimum 2 years of experience with relay logic and PLC‑based interlock systems.
• Hardware experience with Siemens Distributed Safety PLCs and HMIs, or equivalent PLC architectures.
• Ability to contribute to PLC system design, implementation, licensing, and ongoing support.
• Experience documenting engineering changes and writing standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Proficiency with configuration control and version control processes.
• Knowledge of Linux, Python, EPICS.

• 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 and maintains an…