Principal Instrumentation Electronics Engineer

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's (LBNL) Engineering Division has an immediate opening for a Principal Instrumentation Electronics Engineer at the Advanced Light Source (ALS).

The ALS is a world-class accelerator-based user facility that provides high-intensity, high-energy photon beams for science.  A 200-meter circumference electron accelerator generates photon packets that feed the more than 40 independent beamlines, where more than 2000 scientists per year perform their experiments.  The ALS is in the process of a major accelerator upgrade project to rejuvenate the facility for many years to come. 

As a member of the ALS Instrumentation Group, you will perform a variety of interesting and challenging engineering tasks related to state-of-the-art electronic instrumentation and data acquisition systems for particle accelerators and other scientific applications. The primary responsibility will be to support the Advanced Light Source programs.  This work may range in complexity and scope, and can cover all phases of a system's life cycle: conceptualization, design, planning, implementation, and commissioning. Assignments will be chosen to maximize the team's effectiveness in developing analog and digital board designs for digital signal processing systems (typically using FPGAs) for real-time monitoring and control applications, including simulation and software support. 

What You Will Do:

• Perform a variety of engineering activities, including:
  • Develop high-speed data acquisition systems based on the latest FPGA technologies.
  • Design hardware and firmware for digital and mixed signal interfaces to >500MHz analog RF front-ends for accelerator diagnostic systems.
  • Design printed circuit boards, including schematic entry, simulation, and layout.
  • Perform advanced test & measurement tasks using commercial network analyzers, data acquisition systems, frequency synthesizers, oscilloscopes, etc.
  • Develop software, scripts, and applications for evaluation, control, and measurement of commercial and custom electronics.
  • Write and contribute to technical documentation and reviews.
• Apply electronic system design principles and practices, develop standards, and research techniques toward the solution of complex technical problems in accelerator instrumentation.
• Perform work for various project phases, which may include design, implementation, review, integration, test, and commissioning.
• Lead and contribute to project planning activities and the maintenance of large projects.
  • Define scope and provide cost and schedule estimates.
  • Participate in design reviews and documentation. 
  • Contribute to generating test/QA documentation, baseline data, and operating and maintenance procedures.
• The ALS division employs a large number of people with diverse skills. 
  • Interact with a broad range of engineers, scientists, graduate students, postdocs, technicians, operators, and administrative staff. 
  • Work collaboratively with scientists and engineers to provide recommendations, requirements, and specifications, and implement engineering solutions in your area of expertise. 
  • Provide guidance and direction for less senior technical staff.
• Participate in the global community of accelerator instrumentation engineers.
  • Track the field of accelerator instrumentation and related technologies and introduce new technologies, methods, and tools to accelerator instrumentation.
  • Actively participate in conferences, collaboration meetings, design reviews, and workshops.
  • Document ongoing and completed work and present it at conferences and workshops. Publish in relevant journals. 
• Since the ALS is a 24/7 operational user facility, providing occasional off-hours support when needed to install, troubleshoot, repair, and commission systems is required.
• Prioritize working safely.  Adhere to the Berkeley Lab’s safety policies and stay current on all required training. 
• Apply Berkeley Lab’s Core Values (https://stewardship.lbl.gov/values/) to day-to-day and ongoing responsibilities and decision-making. 

Additional Responsibilities as Needed:

• Contribute to accelerator physics and/or control systems areas of projects.
• Contribute to or lead external collaborations.

What is Required:

• BS or equivalent in Electrical Engineering or a related field. Advanced degree is desirable.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in design, construction, implementation, and maintenance of electronic instrumentation systems and/or devices.
• Experience with printed-circuit board design software (schematic capture, layout, etc.).
• Experience with mixed signal and digital circuit simulation software.
• Experience with FPGA-based electronic designs.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of instrumentation.
• Knowledge and/or experience with accelerator physics.
• Knowledge of project engineering, requirements, specifications, and design.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with experts in multiple disciplines, including instrumentation, electronics engineering and technical support, mechanical engineering, physics, and operations.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with Mentor xPedition/PADS or Cadence Allegro.
• Experience with Embedded processors or System-On-Chip FPGA systems.
• Experience with Python or Matlab.
• Experience with commercial test & measurement equipment, including network analyzers, data acquisition systems, frequency synthesizers, and oscilloscopes. Knowledge and/or experience with control systems.

Notes:

• This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• The expected salary for this position is $162,000 - $198,000, which fits into the full salary of $143,772 - $242,628 annually, depending upon the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities, including education, certifications, and years of experience.
• This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.