Department Head for Lasers and Timing Systems Engineering

Job Title: Department Head for Lasers and Timing Systems Engineering

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a highly skilled Department Head for Lasers and Timing Systems Engineering to lead our team of multidisciplinary engineers. As the head of this department, you will be responsible for overseeing the development, maintenance, and operation of laser systems integral to the FEL's function.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of scientists, engineers, and technicians in the design, operation, and maintenance of laser systems and timing synchronization mechanisms.
• Ensure that laser systems are optimized for experiments, operate safely, and are maintained to prevent downtime.
• Provide engineering leadership for integrating and testing systems and devices, working with staff scientists, fabrication facilities, and personnel.
• Develop and sustain timing and synchronization systems, ensuring the precise timing and synchronization of laser pulses by developing and maintaining highly precise timing systems, often down to the femtosecond range.
• Collaborate with the LCLS Laser Science and Research Department to improve laser performance, timing techniques, and synchronization technologies.
• Work closely with other departments and external researchers who use the XFEL for experiments, planning and supporting experimental campaigns, ensuring the laser and timing systems meet the specific needs of each experiment, and troubleshooting any issues that arise.
• Ensure all laser and timing operations comply with safety standards and regulatory requirements, conducting safety audits, providing training, and implementing safety protocols.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, optics, or a related field with eight years of practical experience in the principles behind laser technology, and X-ray generation or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary technical teams, with a proven track record of success in managing personnel, defining team roles, setting goals, and ensuring the department aligns with the facility's objectives.
• Experience in systems engineering, specifically model-based systems engineering, and leading complex scientific, engineering, or technical research projects or programs.
• Leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and supervisory skills to lead personnel, write performance appraisals, and actively participate in ranking and hiring activities.
• Ability to influence and establish effective and productive working relationships across LCLS and SLAC.
• Ability to synthesize and articulate technical and scientific methodologies, specifications, and information.
• 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.
• Ability exercising sound engineering judgment and be able to make decisions that meet objectives in a collaborative culture.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a diverse team environment.
• A solid commitment to safety, understanding of regulatory requirements, and the ability to implement effective safety protocols in a dynamic laboratory environment.
• Detailed understanding of relevant business and technical knowledge and problem resolution.
• Exceptional customer relationship and consensus building skills.

Preferred Requirements:

• An advanced degree and leadership experience working in XFEL facility.
• Project management experience, specifically DOE 413.3b.
• Experience with user facilities and/or national laboratories.
• Formal training/experience in systems engineering processes and methodologies.

SLAC Manager Competencies:

• Results through Others: Achieves expected results by effectively delegating and managing the work of others.
• Aligns Priorities: 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: Maintains an 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: 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: Earns trust and credibility from team members, peers, and stakeholders; demonstrates SLAC values of respect and integrity.
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve team, department/directorate, and lab goals.
• Communication: 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: 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: 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: 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 his or her 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.

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 containing

The expected pay range for this position is $176,000 - $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.

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.

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