Laser Systems Group Leader

SLAC Job Postings Position Overview: The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Engineering Division at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a laser optical engineer to lead the Laser Engineering Department’s Laser Systems Group LCLS is the world’s first X-ray Free Electron (FEL) facility, operated by Stanford University at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, on behalf of the Department of Energy / Office of Science.
This facility provides world-leading scientific capabilities to a global user community, covering a broad research portfolio that includes the development of advanced materials and chemical catalysts for clean energy systems; drug discovery for modern pharmaceuticals; and fundamental studies of astrophysical phenomena.
LCLS operates as a user facility for a global community of scientists, providing ultrashort, ultra-bright pulses of X-rays to seven experimental instruments focused on specific areas of science, probing the structure and dynamics of matter at the atomic spatial scale and femtosecond timescale.
Femtosecond optical lasers are an integral part of many of these experiments, and the LCLS Laser Engineering Department is responsible for deploying and supporting cutting-edge laser systems for groundbreaking scientific research at LCLS.
The Laser Engineering Department also supports other laser-based programs at SLAC including the photo injector lasers for the LCLS accelerator, accelerator test facilities such as Ultrafast Electron Diffraction (UED), the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET), and the Next Linear Collider Test Accelerator (NLCTA), and other research programs such as High Energy Density (HED) science, and the PULSE and SIMES Stanford independent laboratories at SLAC.
The evolution of the facility and its experimental capabilities, including the upgrade to the X-ray FEL source, the experimental instruments, and adding a Petawatt class laser to the Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) experimental endstation, will continue to present unique engineering and operational challenges.
The Laser Systems Group has responsibility site-wide for supporting experimental operations, performing regularly scheduled maintenance of laser systems, bringing new labs and laser systems online and supporting the delivery of new and advanced capabilities.
As the head of Laser Systems, you will manage a team of engineers and scientists, provide supervision, mentorship, guidance, and training.
In addition, as the group leader you will foster staff development, promote engineering rigor, and participate in hiring activities to support the LCLS mission.
This position administratively reports to the LCLS Laser Engineering Department Head within the LCLS Directorate.
SLAC is a U.
S.
Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park, CA.
Your specific responsibilities include: Direct and assign work to personnel and remain cognizant of the technical challenges, workload balances, and progress of LCLS/SLAC projects.
Monitor system performance and repairs required to meet programmatic and operational milestones and lead corrective actions where necessary.
Promote adherence to the LCLS Conduct of Engineering, ensuring engineering rigor with accurate documentation and engineering review.
Identify, propose and manage system performance improvements through an annual upgrade portfolio.
Identify and implement process improvements to enable more efficient operational effectiveness.
Provide the group with leadership in continuous operational improvement through root cause corrective action.
Prepare and conduct performance management activities for personnel and contribute to the LCLS engineering ranking and salary management processes.
Influence strategic technical decisions made by LCLS management.
Contribute to the definition of complex engineering solutions for X-ray based experiments.
Perform engineering duties requiring significant scheduling and budgeting responsibility.
To be successful in this position you will bring: Bachelor's degree in Laser, Optical, or Mechanical Engineering or related field and at least eight years of experience with the design and operation of complex scientific instrumentation, or combination of education and relevant experience.
Advanced degree may be required.
Extensive experience in demonstrating leadership, interpersonal skills, organizational, and supervisory skills to lead personnel, write performance appraisals, and actively participate in ranking and hiring activities.
Ability to promote and maintain productive relationships across LCLS and SLAC.
Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills, necessary to present, explain, and advise LCLS senior management and/or external sponsors.
Experience working independently and responsively to changing priorities and ability to meet deadlines Design and integration of precision laser and optical systems Manufacturing, assembly, and installation coordination of complex systems.
Exercising sound engineering judgment.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a diverse team environment.
In addition, preferred requirements include: Experience with scientific instrumentation, project management, and/or technical supervision.
Experience with user facilities and/or national laboratories.
SLAC manager competencies: Results Through Others (drives results & directs work): Achieves expected results by effectively delegating and managing the work of others.
Aligns Priorities (plans & aligns): Ensures planning and prioritization of resources and work efforts; ensures alignment of direct and matrix reports to support organizational goals and business plans.
Applies Lab Acumen (business insight): Maintains understanding of lab efforts and direction as well as current research and trends, considers technology and customer impacts, and contributes relevant, informed ideas to lab growth.
Navigates Complexity (managing complexity): Manages a multitude of information and complex circumstances to discern what is most important; demonstrates effective problem-solving, decision-making, and takes appropriate action, even in difficult situations or with conflicting data.
Builds Trust (instills trust): Earns trust and credibility from team members, peers and stakeholders; demonstrates SLAC values of respect and integrity.
Relationships (interpersonal savvy, collaborates, manages conflict, builds networks): Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve team, department/directorate and lab goals.
Communication (communicates effectively): Ensures effective information flow to various audiences; delivers clear and appropriate written and verbal communications; makes clear and impactful presentations to a variety of internal and external audiences.
Self-Awareness (demonstrates self-awareness): Seeks feedback from others and takes ownership of, and actions to address what is learned; recognizes impact on others and adjusts as needed; pursues continuous learning opportunities; implements a meaningful development plan.
Team Effectiveness (builds effective teams): Effectively motivates team members and fosters a diverse and collaborative team environment; leverages team members’ strengths for overall team effectiveness; incorporates insights to improve team operations.
Purpose & Vision (drives vision & purpose): Articulates a clear vision of expected outcomes; inspires others to execute work plans and feel a sense of purpose and ownership for the mission.
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 the job.
Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work.
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: 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, - Job Classification: Research Technical Manager 2 Grade: M Job Code: 4987 Duration: Regular Continuing The expected pay range for this position is $172,000 - $210,000 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.