Software Developer - GPU Data Acquisition

SLAC Job Postings

Position Overview

Do you enjoy collaborating with a diverse group of people to solve complex challenges? Does contributing to breakthrough discoveries in science and working with unique experimental instrumentation in a world-leading scientific research environment excite you? SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is one of 17 Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories. Operated by Stanford University on behalf of the DOE, SLAC develops and operates some of the world¿s premier science facilities, including the first hard X-ray free-electron laser. Researchers from SLAC and other premier institutions around the world use our facilities to investigate some of the most exciting and important problems facing our society. A suite of x-ray instruments for exploiting the unique LCLS-II scientific capabilities are being deployed and will soon be capable of producing petabytes of data per instrument per day. We are seeking a Software Developer to participate in the design and develop of a high-performance GPU-based data acquisition (DAQ) pipeline for SLAC-built custom detectors, integrating real-time data reduction and processing. This role will involve optimizing GPU-accelerated workflows, ensuring low-latency data handling, and collaborating with scientists and engineers to deploy scalable solutions for next-generation X-ray experiments at LCLS.

As a Software Developer, you will be a member of the Data Platforms Department of the Experimental Data Systems (EDS) Division, a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and software developers focused on supporting scientific instrumentation, data acquisition, data management, and data analysis systems. New employees will pair with experienced mentors to advance learning opportunities.

SLAC is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park, CA.

Your Specific Responsibilities Will Include

• Design and implement a GPU-accelerated DAQ pipeline for high-throughput detector systems.
• Develop online data reduction algorithms (e.g., compression, feature extraction, filtering) to enable real-time processing.
• Optimize kernels and parallel computing strategies for maximum throughput.
• Integrate with SLAC¿s detector control systems and EPICS-based infrastructure.
• Collaborate with beamline scientists, engineers, and HPC teams to ensure seamless data flow.
• Benchmark and profile performance to minimize latency and maximize efficiency.
• Document software architectures, APIs, and deployment procedures.
• Contribute to all phases of a project, including ideation, program design, development, implementation, and data analysis.
• Supervise professional staff, as necessary, working on all phases of application development projects.
• Work with a variety of users to gain information, and develop intra-system tradeoffs between different users, as necessary; interact with a diverse client base and outside vendor contacts.
• Engage in long-term strategic planning.
• Oversee the support, maintenance, operation, and upgrades of applications.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical problems.
• Lead projects, as necessary, for special systems and application development in areas of complex problems.
• Work with other technical professionals to develop standards and implement best practices.
• - Other duties may also be assigned
  
  

To Be Successful In This Position You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, physics, or a related scientific computing field and ten years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience with GPU programming and parallel computing.
• Strong expertise in C and Python for high-performance computing.
• Familiarity with real-time data processing and high-throughput DAQ systems.
• Expertise in designing, developing, testing, and deploying applications.
• Proficiency with application design and data modeling.
• Ability to define and solve logical problems for highly technical applications.
• Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical clients.
• Expertise in algorithm development for X-ray experiments is a big plus.
  
  

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 his or her job.
  
  

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: Software Developer 3
• Grade: L, Job code: 4823
• Employment Duration: Regular, Continuing
  
  

The expected pay range for this position is $169,728 - $194,585 per 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.