What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Mechanical Engineer 2 position at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory?
SLAC Job Postings
Position Overview
The Edge Data Systems Department within the Technology Innovation Directorate at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks a skilled Mechanical Engineer to work with our team in the design and construction of bleeding- edge physics detectors. This is a 1-year fixed-term position designed for candidates with strong mechanical engineering expertise who are eager to expand their experience in a national laboratory setting.
In this role, you will engage in concept development, system design, and hands-on work with detector and control systems. This position requires flexibility ranging from initial concept development to laboratory testing, electronics/software development in testbed environments, and on-site commissioning with domain experts. The primary focus is on streaming data acquisition and real-time control solutions.
This work focuses on solving problems that have never been solved before. You will have ample opportunities for technical collaboration, but ultimately you will carry responsibility for identifying and implementing solutions. Team members are encouraged to engage across diverse projects and designs in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that values both innovation and work-life balance along with the comprehensive benefits of being part of Stanford University.
Primary Responsibilities
Opportunities And Benefits
Classification Title: Staff Engineer 2
Grade: K
Job code: 0132
Duration : Fixed Term (one year)
The expected pay range for this position is $116,000 to $170,000 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.
Position Overview
The Edge Data Systems Department within the Technology Innovation Directorate at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks a skilled Mechanical Engineer to work with our team in the design and construction of bleeding- edge physics detectors. This is a 1-year fixed-term position designed for candidates with strong mechanical engineering expertise who are eager to expand their experience in a national laboratory setting.
In this role, you will engage in concept development, system design, and hands-on work with detector and control systems. This position requires flexibility ranging from initial concept development to laboratory testing, electronics/software development in testbed environments, and on-site commissioning with domain experts. The primary focus is on streaming data acquisition and real-time control solutions.
This work focuses on solving problems that have never been solved before. You will have ample opportunities for technical collaboration, but ultimately you will carry responsibility for identifying and implementing solutions. Team members are encouraged to engage across diverse projects and designs in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that values both innovation and work-life balance along with the comprehensive benefits of being part of Stanford University.
Primary Responsibilities
- Perform complex assembly tasks, including the integration and packaging of precision mechanical devices with advanced electronics such as ASICs, sensors, and PCBs.
- Develop and implement thermal management solutions for scientific instruments, including both single-phase and two-phase evaporative cooling systems.
- Conduct detailed thermal, structural, and hydraulic analyses using advanced computational tools (experience with Matlab or Python is highly desirable).
- Lead and support mechanical and thermal quality control efforts, rigorously following established testing protocols.
- Prepare clear, comprehensive technical reports documenting QC results, using tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Collaborate with projects leads to refining and optimizing 3D CAD models, contributing innovative design improvements and solutions.
- Take on additional tasks and responsibilities as assigned by project leads or supervisors.
Opportunities And Benefits
- Valuable resume-enhancing experience within a prestigious scientific and research environment.
- Networking opportunities within the Stanford/SLAC scientific community, fostering collaboration across diverse disciplines.
- Exposure to cutting-edge experimental research methodologies and the vibrant atmosphere of a research and user facility.
- Master's degree in mechanical engineering or in a similar discipline and at least 2 years of relevant experience.
- Expertise in Finite Element thermal and structural analysis, particularly with ANSYS and Icepack.
- Experience with data acquisition systems for experimental test stands (e.g., Dataforth).
- Solid background in CAD design and project development, from requirements definition to testing plans.
- Demonstrated proficiency in 3D CAD modeling, with preferred experience in Solid Edge and Teamcenter.
- Proven ability in experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for prototype validation.
- Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively, with project lead experience preferred.
- Strong time management skills, able to deliver high-quality results under minimal supervision.
- Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and problem-solving ability.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- 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 reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
- Given the nature of this position, SLAC is open to on-site and hybrid work options.
- 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: Staff Engineer 2
Grade: K
Job code: 0132
Duration : Fixed Term (one year)
The expected pay range for this position is $116,000 to $170,000 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.
Salary : $116,000 - $170,000