Controls and Data Systems Integration Engineer

Job Description

Position overview:

The Experiment Control Systems (ECS) division within the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Directorate at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a Controls and Data Systems Integration Engineer to design, implement, and sustain advanced hardware and software solutions for both commercial and highly customized scientific instrumentation in one of several experimental halls.

In this role, you will design, integrate, and operate distributed control and data acquisition systems spanning motion control, vacuum, timing, detectors, laser diagnostics, and scientific instrumentation. These systems support reliable experimental operations and high-performance data collection at kHz–MHz event rates, enabling reproducible measurements and efficient operation for a diverse international user community.

You will report to a Group Lead within the ECS Controls and Data Systems Owners Department and be part of a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for delivering integrated solutions spanning scientific instruments, laser systems, controls, and data acquisition. As the Controls and Data System Owner (CDSO) for one of LCLS’s scientific instruments, you will be responsible for its technical roadmap, operational reliability, controls architecture, and data systems, supporting a world-leading X-ray science program. You will provide technical leadership for the instrument’s controls and data systems architecture, ensuring maintainability, scalability, and alignment with evolving scientific requirements. This includes evolving controls infrastructure to support next-generation experiments that push the limits of spatiotemporal resolution, stability, and data throughput at the world’s first hard X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL).

LCLS offers unparalleled capability in photon energy range, peak power, and pulse duration, enabling researchers to probe the structure and dynamics of matter at the atomic scale and on ultrafast timescales. The successful candidate will contribute directly to experiments at the forefront of ultrafast science, enabling discoveries in quantum materials, chemistry, biology, and energy sciences. This position plays a critical role in maintaining and advancing these capabilities through disciplined engineering practices, rigorous commissioning, and a strong culture of safety and operational excellence.

See https://lcls.slac.stanford.edu/ for more on LCLS and the unique capabilities of our instrument facilities.

Your specific responsibilities include the following:

• Plan, execute, and validate experimental system installations, including requirements development, ICDs, commissioning plans, and acceptance testing.

• Manage the full lifecycle of controls and data systems, including design, commissioning, operation, maintenance, upgrades, and sustainment.

• Design and maintain controls architectures spanning PLCs, fieldbus I/O, embedded controllers, timing systems, and Linux-based IOCs, ensuring deterministic and fail-safe operation.

• Develop EPICS-based control and data acquisition software, including device support, alarm/archiver integration, and operator interfaces; maintain documentation.

• Integrate and support controls and data systems hardware/software, including detectors, motion systems, vacuum, lasers, and facility infrastructure.

• Collaborate with scientists and data systems engineers to optimize data acquisition, metadata handling, and data flow workflows.

• Lead system reconfiguration and upgrades, including configuration management, version control, and change control.

• Support operations and commissioning, including troubleshooting during maintenance and user operations.

• Participate in subsystem upgrades (e.g., laser and timing systems), including evaluation, selection, and integration of solutions.

• Diagnose and resolve complex cross-domain issues across controls, software, instrumentation, networking, and timing systems using structured troubleshooting and root-cause analysis.

• Translate experimental needs into controls and DAQ specifications, test plans, and operational procedures in collaboration with stakeholders.

• Serve as the primary interface between instrument scientists, engineers, and operations teams for controls and data systems.

Work with unique instrumentation and electronics systems, such as the following:

• Sample delivery systems

• Femtosecond timing systems

• X-ray detectors (e.g., CCDs and related instrumentation)

• Machine protection and personnel safety systems

To be successful in this position, you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in physics, computer science, engineering, or a related field, and at least three years of relevant experience in scientific instrumentation, control systems, software development, or systems engineering. An advanced degree may be considered in lieu of some experience.

• Ability to quickly learn and apply a broad range of hardware and software systems.

• Strong programming skills in C/C++ and scripting languages (preferably Python) in Linux/Unix environments.

• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to work effectively in a research and development environment.

• Proven skills in project management, planning, prioritization, and organization.

• Ability to understand the scientific function of complex X-ray instrumentation systems.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience with EPICS-based control systems, including IOC development, device integration, and operator interfaces.

• Experience with scientific instrumentation, laser systems, or laser diagnostics.

• Background in X-ray science, physics, or materials science.

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 his or her job.

• Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work.

• Work schedule: This role may require periodic/occasional work outside normal business hours (evenings/weekends) based on operational needs (e.g., commissioning, maintenance windows, or experimental schedules). This is not a 24/7 on-call position.

Work Standard:

• 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 an organization that receives federal funding, SLAC and Stanford University have a COVID-19 vaccination requirement that will apply to all university employees, including those working remotely in the United States and applicable subcontractors. To learn more about COVID policies and guidelines for Stanford University Staff, please visit: https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/working-stanford/covid-19/interim-policies/covid-19-surveillance-testing-policy

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory explores how the universe works at the biggest, smallest and fastest scales and invents powerful tools used by researchers around the globe. As world leaders in ultrafast science and bold explorers of the physics of the universe, we forge new ground in understanding our origins and building a healthier and more sustainable future. Our discovery and innovation (https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/research) help develop new materials and chemical processes and open unprecedented views of the cosmos and life’s most delicate machinery. Building on more than 60 years of visionary research, we help shape the future by advancing areas such as quantum technology, scientific computing and the development of next-generation accelerators.

SLAC is operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science (https://www.energy.gov/science/office-science) . The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

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 their job.

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.

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 Identify 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.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

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.