Automation Engineer - Menlo Park, United States - SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Description

Automation Engineer

Job ID

5882

Location

SLAC - Menlo Park, CA

Full-Time

Regular

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? The Experiment Control Systems division within the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Directorate at SLAC is seeking an Automation Engineer to plan, implement, and operate customized experimental installations, and develop enhancements to our scientific instrumentation controls.

As a member of the LCLS Experiment Controls Systems Division, the Automation Engineer will join a multidisciplinary engineering team tasked with developing mechatronic solutions to support scientific instrumentation, laser systems, controls, and data acquisition systems. This position will also work with scientific and operations support staff to provide expert-level troubleshooting assistance.

LCLS is the world's first hard x-ray free electron laser (FEL) with unprecedented capabilities in photon energy range, peak power, and pulse lengths. There are 7 independent instruments currently in operation, which are specifically designed to utilize the exceptional beam characteristics of the LCLS to probe the structure and dynamics of matter at atomic size and timescales. The evolution of science and experimental techniques on these instruments, along with upgrades in the x-ray FEL source and optical lasers (LCLS-II), require regular improvements to the supporting software and hardware platforms. Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) form the backbone of some of the most vital experiment support systems at LCLS, ranging from robust vacuum control to monitoring & protection of sensitive machine components, to motion control in steering x-ray optics.

See for more on LCLS and the unique capabilities of our instrument facilities.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Manage hardware and software for the PLC controls & automation systems and related infrastructure such as computers and local networks, power supplies, motion systems, vacuum systems, and the like.
• Participate in upgrades to, and new designs involving, PLC controls & automation systems for vacuum systems, DC power systems, facility monitoring, pneumatics, cooling, fieldbus networks, mechatronic systems, and similar.
• Develop and support effort for the LCLS PLC programming and development environment, and ensure that collaborative capabilities and a robust development process are maintained and extended as necessary.
• Develop system specifications, designs and tests to meet stakeholder requirements.
• Produce BoMs and schematic outlines, and be responsible for ensuring successful and on-schedule delivery of a fully commissioned instrument control system from actuator to user interface.
• Define, implement, and execute reliability and qualification tests. Design electronic test benches; perform safety and reliability analysis and tests, and develop documentation.
• Diagnose issues identified in control systems in operation, with subsequent follow-up solutions and recommendations for improvement.
• Investigate new PLC and automation technologies.
• Provide expert level support for LCLS experiment control systems.
• Stage, configure & test system design as per functionality (bench testing)
• Develop FAT and SAT plans and be responsible for leading FAT and SAT with vendors / internal stakeholders
• Collaborate with engineers, teams and Control Account Manager to effectively deliver projects in time

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, mathematics, physics, engineering or related discipline and minimum 2 years of experience in designing and implementing PLC-based controls solutions.
• Demonstrated programming skills with IEC standard PLC programming with a focus on structured text (ST).
• Solid understanding of, and capability in, industrial electrical engineering and signal circuit design.
• Ability to comprehend, design, specify, and draft electrical and wiring schematics.
• Experience designing and commissioning industrial fieldbus networks such as: EtherCAT, Profibus, ControlNet, ModbusTCP, etc.
• Experience in integration of PLC systems into broader SCADA contexts, ADS, OPC UA, Modbus, EthernetIP.
• Experience using a code version control system, git preferred.
• Ability to learn and understand the workings of a broad range of hardware and software.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills.
• Effective communication with external vendors of equipment and/or services, for purposes of purchasing, outsourcing, or support.
• Strong problem-solving skills in highly technical applications, and a demonstrated ability of independent decision making for continuous improvement.

In addition, preferred experience include :

• Familiarity with Beckhoff systems, and TwinCAT 3.1.
• Linux
• EPLAN
• Industrial safety & engineering standards: UL 508, ANSI, OSHA.
• Computer networking with TCP/IP and UDP.
• Programming experience in C/C++ and/or Python.
• Simulation of partial or whole control systems.
• Development of scientific instrumentation control systems.
• Experience with software unit testing.
• Experience with git and git collaboration workflows.
• Experience with EPICS ( ).

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 the 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: https://www-
• 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,
• Classification Title: Staff Engineer 2
• Job code: 0132, Grade:
• Duration: Regular Continuing

The expected pay range for this position is $108,000 - $163,000 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.

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.