Electro-mechanical Engineer [Alonzo W Ashley Fellowship]
Job ID
6763
Location
SLAC - Menlo Park, CA
Full-Time
Temporary
SLAC Job Postings
Alonzo W Ashley Fellowship
The Alonzo W. Ashley Fellowship Program was named in honor of Al Ashley, who retired from SLAC in 1999 after 31 years of dedicated and exemplary service, particularly in the area of championing new college graduates in the sciences and engineering. During his tenure at SLAC, Al pioneered programs that promoted and encouraged career development for employees, and career exploration for talented students. He was a recipient of a 2005 NSF Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in recognition of his outstanding mentoring efforts and programs that enhanced the participation of new college graduates in science, mathematics, and engineering. Al served as a mentor to hundreds of emerging scientists and engineers during their journey to their chosen field.
This program is designed to provide a year-long research/employment experience in each of our six major directorates. The program is intended for post-graduate candidates with the longer-term objective of potentially moving them into regular employment with the lab.
Position Overview:
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a motivated and talented associate electro¿mechanical (or mechatronics) engineer to support the development of next¿generation automation and robotics systems. In this role, you will apply foundational skills in electrical engineering, mechanical design, and control systems to help integrate hardware, software, and physical components.
You will contribute to a collaborative, multidisciplinary team focused on creating advanced scientific instruments, laboratory automation tools, and innovative technologies that enable cutting¿edge structural biology research and structure¿based drug discovery. These instruments support SLAC users working on high¿impact biological targets¿often in limited supply¿such as membrane proteins and complex macromolecular assemblies. Projects may involve assisting with the design and automation of precision positioning systems, sample¿handling microscopes and imaging tools, fluid¿handling robotics, cryogenic systems, synchronized motion and triggering for time¿resolved measurements, and other instrumentation used at macromolecular crystallography (MC) beamlines or in cryo¿electron microscopy (cryoEM) experiments. The successful candidate will join an integrated team of engineers, scientists, software developers, and technical staff, contributing to hands¿on development while gaining experience in a highly innovative research environment.
See https://www-ssrl.slac.stanford.edu/smb/ for more on SSRL and the unique capabilities of our SSRL instrument and SMB beamline facilities.
Note : This is a 1-year term fixed term position with the possibility of extension or conversion to a regular- continuing position.
SLAC is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park, CA.
Your specific responsibilities include:
Assist in the design, development, testing, and installation of components for new experiments, including integrating new assemblies into existing beamline hutches.
Work collaboratively with scientists and technical staff to develop motion control systems and specialized experimental tools.
Assist with project execution Participate in project activities from concept through design reviews, supporting senior engineers and technicians during fabrication and installation.
Support technicians and engineering teams Provide technical assistance to electronics and mechanical technicians and collaborate with engineering staff, including electrical engineers and controls programmers, on system integration tasks.
Troubleshoot equipment Help diagnose issues with motion control equipment, data¿acquisition electronics, and specialized synchrotron radiation instrumentation.
Research and procurement support Research equipment options, suppliers, and assist with acquiring hardware for motion control and data¿acquisition systems.
Create engineering models and drawings Produce solid models, schematics, assembly diagrams, and parts lists using SolidEdge under the guidance of senior engineers.
Assist in identifying and procuring components such as positioning stages, encoders, pneumatics, actuators, optics, and materials for manufactured parts.
Support installation and testing, and troubleshooting of commercial experimental equipment for MC and cryoEM sample/grid preparation.
Assist with biological sample testing Support testing of new devices and methods with biological samples, including equipment used for vitrifying cryoEM grids or flash¿cooling macromolecular crystals.
Maintain parts and inventory tracking Help maintain parts lists and support receipt and quality checks of fabricated or purchased components to keep projects on schedule.
Support documentation and QA/QC Contribute to project documentation, including wiring diagrams, drawings, parts lists, assembly instructions, QA/QC procedures, and updates to equipment documentation.
Produce 3D renderings and graphicsCreate 3D renderings and visual materials to support assembly instructions and documentation.
To be successful in this position you will bring:
BS in electro-mechanical or biomedical design orrelated engineering scientific discipline, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
Foundational familiarity with analog and digital circuits and basic troubleshooting. Exposure to schematic capture or PCB layout tools is a plus.
Some exposure to motion control systems is beneficial. Experience with stepper motors, servo motors, or digital motion controllers is a plus but not required.
Basic understanding of electrical conditioning circuits (e.g., sensors, encoders, optical switches) and willingness to learn more advanced instrumentation.
Coursework or introductory experience with embedded systems or FPGA concepts is advantageous but not required.
Experience or coursework in solid modeling and preparing mechanical drawings.
Familiarity with tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks or SolidEdge, and basic proficiency with PowerPoint or Adobe tools.
Ability to assist with vendor communication, gathering specifications, and supporting parts procurement.
Ability to work under deadlines with general direction from senior engineers.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in completing technical tasks.
Ability to work effectively in a fast¿paced, collaborative environment.
Clear communication skills for working with administrative, scientific, mechanical, and electronics staff.
Strong conceptual thinking and willingness to learn how to identify and recommend solutions.
Experience or interest in quality control, documentation, and preparing engineering reports..
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.
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
As a national laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
Classification Title: Staff Engineer 1
Grade: I Job code: 0131
Duration: 1- year fixed term
The expected pay range for this position is $106,177 - $137,877 per annum
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. 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.
At SLAC/Stanford, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer and supports diversity in the workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. All staff at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States. SLAC is an E-Verify employer.
