Description

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a passionate and talented electro-mechanical (or mechatronics) engineer to support the development of next-generation automation and robotics systems. In this role, you will integrate electrical engineering, mechanical design, and control systems to bridge hardware, software, and physical components. You will contribute to a dynamic, collaborative environment focused on creating advanced scientific instruments, laboratory automation tools, and innovative methods that enable cutting-edge structural biology research and structure-based drug discovery. The development of such instruments will facilitate the research goals of users at SLAC through structural investigations of important biological targets in limited supply, such as membrane proteins and multi-component macromolecular machines. These projects may include the design and automation of precision positioning systems, sample microscopes and imaging systems, fluid-handling robotics, cryogenics systems, synchronized motion and triggers for time-resolved measurements, and other instrumentation for use at macromolecular crystallography (MC) beam lines or for cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) experiments.  The successful candidate will join an integrated team of engineers, scientists, software developers and other staff members.

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: 

• Participate in the design, development and testing, and installation for new experiments. Integrate novel assemblies with current beamline hutches, expanding experimental capabilities.
•  Development of motion control systems and specialized experimental instrumentation, collaboratively with a group of scientists and technical staff.
• Lead projects from initial concept through design review sessions, culminating with directing electronics and mechanical technicians in the fabrication and installation of novel devices. 
• Advising electronics and mechanical technicians in the fabrication and installation of novel devices and working with other engineering staff, such as electrical engineering and controls programmers on the integration of complicated robotic systems. 
• Troubleshoot motion control equipment, data acquisition electronics, specialized synchrotron radiation instrumentation, and other devices.
• Research equipment and suppliers and oversee the acquisition of new hardware for motion controls and data acquisition systems.
  The design of new equipment through the production of solid models and detailed schematics, assembly diagrams and parts lists using SolidEdge.
• The specification and procurement of components such as positioning stages, encoders, pneumatics, actuators, optics and materials selection for manufactured parts. 
• Installation, testing and troubleshooting of commercial experimental equipment for MC and for cryoEM grid/sample preparation. 
• Testing new devices and methods with biological samples and helping with structural biology research goals as required.  This could include testing newly developed equipment used to vitrify samples on cryoEM grids or to flash-cool macromolecular crystals, and to work with scientists to characterize the resulting samples.
• Maintaining parts lists and overseeing the receipt and QC of ordered and in-house fabricated electronics and mechanical parts to implement equipment completion and installation adhering to tight project schedules.
• Project documentation and organization including wiring diagrams, drawings, parts lists, and assembly instruction, writing QA/QC testing procedures, and the production of web-based manufacturing directions. This includes on-going updates to equipment documentation as fixes, improvements and upgrades occur.   
• Producing 3D rendering and graphics for instructions, presentations and grant applications.
• Other duties may also be assigned.  

Requirements

To be successful in this position you will bring:  

A B.S. degree in electrical engineering or equivalent with electro-mechanical or biomedical design experience and 2-year experience in the following areas:  

• Knowledge of analog/digital circuit design and troubleshooting is required.  Use of Protel schematic capture and PCB payout software for SMT and through-hole components is advantageous. 
• Demonstrated ability to design motion control systems is highly advantageous, and in particular experience in the use of Galil digital motion controllers for classical stepper motors, IMS stepper motors, and brushless servo-motors. 
• Experience in the design of electrical conditioning-circuits is required, such as for optical switches, transducers including LVDT's, incremental and absolute encoders, x-ray ionization chambers, and PIN diode detectors.
• Knowledge of embedded systems development and FPGA programming of Xilinx Spartan chips with VHDL and/or modelsim is highly advantageous.
• Experience in solid modeling and preparing detailed mechanical schematics
• Experience using AutoCAD, SolidWorks or Solidedge, Microsoft Power Point, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop 
• Demonstrated experience interfacing with vendors, developing parts specifications, obtaining competitive bids and complete parts procurement 
• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to accurately complete detailed work
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative work environment
• Good communication skills, including interfacing with administrative, scientific, mechanical and electronics staff
• Strong conceptual and problem-solving skills as well as the ability to identify and recommend solution
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to synthesize complex technical and scientific information
• Experience in quality control and generating design reports and documentation
• Experience in the application of X-ray diffraction techniques skills, including interfacing with administrative, scientific, mechanical and electronics staff.

In addition, preferred requirements include: 

• Knowledge of precision mechanism design, mechanical fabrication practices, and kinematic design principles is highly desirable. 
• Experience with MATLAB and Labview software a plus. 
• Work experience in a hands-on R&D environment with from design, procurement, parts QC, assembly to testing.
• Experience designing, drilling and tapping layouts for electronics chassis.
• Skill in application programming in C++ and tcl/tk and Labview is advantageous. 
• Experience with CAD or Solid Edge mechanical design software, mechanical fabrication practices, reliability testing, and quality control processes is desirable.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing machines (including 3D printers, lathes, mills, laser cutters, etc).
• Experience designing complex instrumentation for protein crystallography experimentation in a synchrotron beam line facility environment.
• Experience in sample preparation for macromolecular crystallography and/or cryoEM research is a plus.