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Job Summary

LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilled Senior Systems Engineer to join its team.  

As a Senior Systems Engineer with the LIGO project, this individual will provide technical and programmatic leadership across multiple engineering disciplines and development activities. The position requires directing interdisciplinary instrument projects from concept through implementation, overseeing engineering staff, and interfacing with dispersed teams across all LIGO Laboratory locations.

This position will ideally be located at Caltech campus in Pasadena, CA, but the other LIGO laboratory locations will also be considered: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, LIGO Hanford Observatory in the Tri-Cities, WA, LIGO Livingston Observatory, Livingston, LA.

LIGO Laboratory is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to observing the newly discovered gravitational-wave universe. Jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the LIGO Laboratory operates world-leading observatories near Richland, WA and Baton Rouge, LA as well as R&D centers on the Caltech and MIT campuses. The LIGO Laboratory’s mission spans a broad and vibrant array of activities related to gravitational-wave physics and astronomy, including detector operations, R&D toward detector improvements, gravitational-wave astrophysics, observatory operations, and education and public outreach.

For more information, please visit the Laboratory website: www.ligo.caltech.edu

Essential Job Duties

• Direct detector and instrument development activities, utilizing advanced technical expertise combined with project management skills to oversee budgets, schedules, and engineering staff responsible for managing specific development tasks and subprojects.
• Provide line supervisory responsibility for LIGO Laboratory engineering staff, including conducting performance appraisals, professional development plans, and other human resource requirements.
• Lead within a diverse team environment, collaborating and effectively communicating with groups from around the world who have a broad spectrum of backgrounds, skills, and educational preparation.
• Lead the design and engineering of highly sophisticated scientific instruments while demonstrating originality, initiative, and awareness of emerging engineering practices.
• Oversee and define complex computer models and simulations to evaluate engineering concepts, verify designs meet performance and interface requirements, and propose approaches and alternatives to meet research objectives.
• Guide the development of new and enhanced measurement techniques and establish improved measurement systems.
• Manage simulations and testing on prototype hardware, including data collection, post-processing, analysis, and documentation.
• Perform design trade studies and document the resultant design requirements, intent, and concepts.
• Create 3D CAD models, applying appropriate design rules for clearance, tolerances, stiffness, ultra-high vacuum compatibility, and other requirements.
• Produce engineering documents such as assembly drawings, installation drawings, service documents, and engineering test specifications, coordinating with team members and working within LIGO Laboratory configuration control and documentation systems.
• Collaborate with researchers to define new strategies, approaches, methods, and techniques to enhance research efforts.
• Lead and serve as a consulting member on Design Reviews, Technical Reviews, and other Laboratory committees and panels as required.
• Take some responsibility for reporting to funding bodies or external review committees
• Initiate or collaborate in writing research papers and technical presentations.
• Manage and support procurements, including preparing bid packages with drawings, bill of materials, specifications, and statements of work; liaise with the LIGO business office and suppliers.
• Oversee and interface with machine shops and vendors to answer questions, evaluate alternative approaches, and assist in assuring quality.
• Coordinate QA inspections, audits, testing, and defect investigations alongside other members of the team.
• Travel to other LIGO installations and collaborating institutions will be required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Master's degree in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree and 15+ years of equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience leading interdisciplinary instrument projects from concept through implementation, including significant time as a Project Lead Engineer.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, including staff development and performance management.
• Thorough experience and engineering expertise in precision mechanics and opto-mechanics design and construction.
• Experience with industry practices and standards used in drafting, modeling, and design development/revision.
• Proficiency in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, including drawing standard ASME Y14.5.
• Extensive experience with SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD software.
• Proficiency in Finite Element Analysis using ANSYS, COMSOL, or equivalent software.
• Expert-level knowledge of MATLAB and Python (or equivalent) for data analysis and simulation.
• Ability to work a non-standard work week as required to support project deliverables and schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience in systems engineering for observatory-class or large-scale scientific facility systems.
• Familiarity with materials and fabrication techniques used in vacuum system construction, particularly UHV compatible materials, processes, and welding.
• A strong record of gravitational-wave instrument design and development expertise.
• Detailed knowledge of LIGO interferometer systems.
• Experience as a principal contributor to feedback control systems design.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) training and certification.
• Experience with quality control and assurance of machined parts, including on-site inspections, audits, and material discrepancy review.
• Experience with class 100/ISO 5 cleanroom protocols.
• Experience with high-precision opto-mechanical systems design, including optical design software.
• Hands-on work experience in a laboratory setting, with proficiency in the use of common hand tools and inspection equipment.
• Ability to work in a cleanroom environment for extended periods.

Required Documents

• Resume