Technical Engineering Lead

Berkeley Lab seeks one or more Technical Engineering Lead(s) to oversee large-scale Department of Energy (DOE) projects. The primary focus of these roles is on upgrade projects for the Advanced Light Source (ALS), a prominent National User Facility. LBNL also leads or supports a variety of other significant scientific projects through the Engineering Division's matrixed structure. This is a unique chance to work with advanced technologies and to contribute to enabling world-class research.  Come join us and be part of this groundbreaking journey!

The ideal candidate will have a track record of leading engineering development, fabrication, or project teams and interfacing with multiple stakeholders and contributors. The role will require the ability to manage scientific and technical requirements and sound engineering judgment.

The immediate need for this position is focused on the Removal and Installation (R&I) effort for the $590M Advanced Light Source Upgrade (ALS-U) project but alternative assignments are available depending on the background and experience of the candidates. Removal and Installation is one of the major systems within the ALS-U project.  The successful candidate is expected to have a high-level understanding of the various subsystems and their requirements to interface effectively with the technical leads and engineers from the various subsystems groups. The R&I team needs to integrate individual subassemblies into the facility and develop detailed plans for technical integration and testing without beam. We are seeking to augment our team with a strong engineer. Therefore, your responsibilities will take into account your background, specific technical expertise and your interest. Example responsibilities include planning for shutdown activities with the technical team, translating scientific requirements into engineering solutions for the installation, developing and executing integrated testing of the equipment, and technical management functions.

This position provides a unique opportunity for a technical manager to work with cutting edge technology and to contribute to enabling world-class research. The role demands a seasoned leader with experience in accelerators and scientific equipment, adept at managing project phases and risks, and capable of leading engineering teams to ensure successful project outcomes.

What You Will Do:

Leadership and organization

• Lead the R&I team to successfully complete all of its scope for the ALS-U project. This includes line management for a small to medium engineering team, collaborating with mechanical and electrical system leads and integrating with all project stakeholders through the planning and execution of all R&I activities. 
• Recruit, organize, and manage staff, as well as manage construction space, equipment, and facilities.
• Facilitate communication between engineering, scientists, manufacturing, and quality teams as well as external contractors. Interface with technical teams and subject matter experts.

Engineering Leadership

• Ensure the project execution delivers a premier facility by implementing best in class technologies and designs following robust engineering practices.
• Contribute to the growth of the engineering staff by attracting and training the next generation experts in support of the ALS and ALS-U.

Project management, planning and execution

• Develop and manage detailed project schedules for the Removal and Installation project for the Removal and Installation system, ensuring alignment with project objectives and critical path.
• Integrate scope, schedule, and cost into a performance baseline, utilizing Earned Value Management (EVM) to assess cost and schedule performance. Provide the necessary reports to comply with the requirements for DOE 413.3b construction projects.
• Manage daily project operations and serve as the primary internal contact for R&I.

System Integration

• Oversee integrated hardware testing (without beam) before commissioning hand-off.
• Coordinate presentations and technical reviews.
• Leverage extensive experience to resolve complex issues creatively, aligning with professional engineering concepts and laboratory requirements and goals.

QA and Compliance

• Ensure adherence to safety practices in collaboration with EHS and management.
• Maintain high standards for all systems installation and configuration, including accelerator beamline hardware, racks, cables and AC distribution and all supporting electronics by implementing and overseeing manufacturing and quality procedures, including non-conformance reporting and engineering change orders.
• Establish rigorous CAD and configuration management for ALS-U models and drawings, ensure adherence to lab CAD wide standards.
• Ensure QA, test data and lifecycle changes are accurately uploaded and reflected in the Windchill database / PLM system.

What is Required:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Physics, Engineering, or equivalent experience in a related field with 5+ years of technical project management experience and a strong background in R&D environments. 
• Deep knowledge of particle accelerators, beamlines, detectors, or similar large-scale scientific equipment.
• Expertise in analyzing complex issues and selecting appropriate methods and evaluation criteria.
• Proven ability to lead large teams and engage with multiple stakeholders, with the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering and scientific teams, external partners, and senior management. This includes supervising technical staff and/or students.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of advanced problem-solving and decision-making.
• Familiarity with project management tools and methods, with experience in estimating costs, scheduling, and progress tracking.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Engineering or Physics with 10+ years in large scientific construction projects.
• Extensive experience in R&D and technical environments.
• Expertise in systems engineering, QA, and Project Life Cycle Management.
• Familiarity with EVMS and the DOE 413.3b project management environment.
• Proficient in CAD and experienced in designing and fabricating complex scientific equipment (e.g., Creo Parametric, SolidWorks).
• PMP Certification.

Notes:

• For full consideration, please apply by November 15th, 2024.
• This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• This position is expected to pay $157,000.00 - $192,000.00 annually, which fits within the full salary range of $139,752.00 - $235,848.00 for the Engineer 4 classification. Salary for this position will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, and will be aligned with the internal peer group.
• This position may be 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. This is not a remote position.

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

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