Detector Engineer

About the role

The Detector Department within the Experimental Operations Division at SLAC’s Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS-II) Directorate is seeking a Detector Technologist to develop, deploy, and support our cutting-edge x-ray detector systems. This role contributes to transformative physical and biological research at one of the world’s premier research facilities, home to the first hard x-ray free-electron laser.

Responsibilities

• Build a performance knowledge base for the operational suite of high-performance detectors through lab and beamline testing.
• Maintain and enhance documentation for detector operations and processes.
• Facilitate communication between beamline scientists, detector teams, and technical groups to align detector capabilities with experimental needs.
• Deploy, calibrate, and troubleshoot detectors for user experiments.
• Collaborate with LCLS instrument and control teams to optimize detector performance, improving data quality and scientific outcomes.
• Identify and mitigate risks to detector assets, developing fail-safe measures in coordination with the Detector Operations Head, Controls Group, and Data Systems Group.
• Diagnose and repair detector system issues, working with vendors and scientific staff for advanced repairs.
• Develop and implement efficient characterization and calibration methods to ensure data integrity during experiments and maintain detector reliability.
• Perform acceptance testing on new detectors to verify compliance with specifications.
• Support the integration and commissioning of new detectors.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in physical sciences, engineering, or a related field with a focus on radiation detector characterization or a similar area, plus 4+ years of experience in x-ray detectors and scientific instrumentation.
• Experience conducting x-ray science experiments at synchrotron or XFEL user facilities.
• Proficiency in x-ray sensor and ASIC characterization, particularly for hybrid pixel detectors.
• Expertise in detector operation and calibration, especially for charge-integrating hybrid pixel detectors.
• Ability to write test and analysis scripts (e.g., Python) and familiarity with Linux.
• Strong communication skills to effectively explain complex technical concepts.
• Prominent ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams and organizations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physical sciences, engineering, or a related field with a focus on radiation detector characterization or a similar area, plus 4+ years of experience in x-ray detectors and scientific instrumentation.
• Ph.D. in radiation detector characterization or a related field and 5+ years of relevant experience preferred.
• Experience with vacuum systems.
• Expertise in hardware testing and electronic property characterization at the device level.

Skills

• Effective decision-making skills.
• Self-development and continuous learning.
• Dependability and reliability.
• Initiative and adaptability.
• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Physical requirements and working conditions consistent with the job.

Benefits

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Pay

The expected pay range for this position is $134,906 - $164,965 per annum.

Schedule

This is a regular continuing position with a duration of full-time.