Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Engineering Division has an opening for a Motion Controls Engineer to join the team.

In this role, you will assist in the development, maintenance, and upgrades of the motion control systems for the Advanced Light Source (ALS) and ALS-U upgrade project, a world-class national user facility which uses an electron accelerator to produce high intensity photon beams for science. The employee will apply complex principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematics to optimize the performance of this complex and expensive machine.

What You Will Do:

• Take a lead role in designing, implementing and/or administering the motion control systems at the Advanced Light Source. Called upon to solve highly technical and complex problems.
• Participate in the elaboration of the motion control solutions for the ALS-U upgrade project.
• Provide input and direction to project-related decisions, including cost and schedule.
• Determine methods and procedures on projects and may provide guidance to personnel.
• Design, develop, maintain and upgrade motion control systems including software and occasionally hardware, with a specific focus on motion control systems.
• Support motion controls at the Advanced Light Source for continued highly reliable performance.
• Troubleshoot and maintain the Delta Tau controllers, including PMAC and Power PMAC models. Design and develop improvements to the PMAC code to meet ongoing institutional needs.
• Regularly interface with a variety of personnel to determine needs and performance of the system, including accelerator physicists, beam line scientists, mechanical engineers, and software engineers.
• Conduct occasional training sessions on the operation, troubleshooting and maintenance of the control systems software and associated equipment.
• Provide complete and professional documentation of all aspects of the system including software, system configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Contribute to the integration of motion controls into the ALS control system.
• Participate in the specification and design of new devices in close cooperation with mechanical engineers and scientists to ensure the proper system implementation.
• Support the activities of the controls group in ensuring the reliable operation of and improvements to the entire accelerator control system.
• Provide occasional off-hours support when needed to install, troubleshoot and repair control systems.

In Addition at Level 4:

• May supervise the activities of others.

What is Required:

• Minimum of 8 years related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience with sophisticated motion control algorithms.
• Extensive experience with motion controllers including Delta Tau, including programming the PMAC and/or Power PMAC API.
• Act as a leader on technical projects, including mentoring and instructing coworkers, creating cost estimates, schedules and proposal presentations.
• Represent the Lab to the community by giving presentations at conferences, collaborating remotely with colleagues at other institutions, and contributing to open-source software projects.
• Motion controls experience including PID tuning and encoder feedback.
• Experience with motion controllers such as Delta Tau, Galil, etc.
• Software development experience in both Linux and Windows environments.
• Experience in software and hardware development of controls and data acquisition systems; programming in Python, C/C++, shell scripting; designing, writing and maintaining software that interfaces with controls hardware.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing modern coding standards, including well-documented code, source code control, debugging and testing tools.
• Work with minimal supervision on complex projects, and willingness to actively seek support from appropriate experts.
• Effective interpersonal skills; clear, proactive communication. Ability to communicate and collaborate with colleagues with varying skills and backgrounds including accelerator operators, physicists, and mechanical, electronic and software engineers.

In Addition at Level 4:

• Minimum of 12 years related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or equivalent experience.
• Experience with hardware and protocols such as VME, Compact PCI, Modbus, Serial, embedded microprocessors, electronics hardware design.
• Experience with the Experimental Physics and Industrial System (EPICS).

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with real-time programming.
• Experience designing and implementing systems and software in a scientific or technical environment.

Salary:

If hired at level 3:

The full salary range of this position is between $10,307 to $17,393 per month and is expected to pay between a targeted range of $11,595 to $14,172 per month depending upon the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities, including education, certifications, and years of experience.

If hired at level 4:

The full salary range of this position is between $11,738 to $19,808 per month and is expected to pay between a targeted range of $13,205 to $16,140 per month depending upon the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities, including education, certifications, and years of experience.

Notes:

• This is a full-time 2 year, term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.
• 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.

Based on University of California Policy - SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program and U.S Federal Government requirements, Berkeley Lab requires that all members of our community obtain the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible. As a condition of employment at Berkeley Lab, all Covered Individuals must Participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program by providing proof that vaccination requirements have been met or submitting a request for Exception or Deferral. Visit covid.lbl.gov for more information.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse 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, or protected veteran status.

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