SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory · 8 hours ago
Project Engineer - Electro-mechanical
Menlo Park, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Entry, Mid Level
$135K/yr - $165K/yr
2+ years expSLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a passionate and talented electro-mechanical 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, contributing to advanced scientific instruments and laboratory automation tools.
BiotechnologyGovernmentChemical & MaterialsLife ScienceAdvanced Materials
Responsibilities
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
Qualification
Required
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 solutions
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
Preferred
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
Company
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is the U.S. Department of Energy's national lab at Stanford University. It is a sub-organization of Stanford University.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2024 (3)
2023 (59)
2022 (69)
2021 (68)
2020 (41)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
unknownKey Investors
US Department of EnergyU.S. Department of Homeland Security
2023-09-27Grant
2023-08-16Grant
2023-01-20Grant
Leadership Team
Adile Safa
Office of the CFO
Bobbi Woody-Mistriel
Executive Assistant To Chief Information Officer
Recent News
2026-01-25
2025-12-27
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