LIGO Lab Electronics Group Lead

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LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilledElectronics Group Leadto join its team. This person will lead the activities of the Caltech LIGO laboratory electronics engineering team, coordinate R&D and detector improvements across the four locations of the LIGO laboratory, lead a team of electronics engineers and technicians, and participate in planning future upgrades and activities of the LIGO laboratory.

This position is located in Pasadena, California.

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

Job Summary

This is an opportunity for a seasoned electronics engineer to take on a leadership role at the heart of gravitational-wave research, based on the Caltech campus in Pasadena, California. The position combines deep technical work - designing precision analog and digital systems and building hands-on prototypes - with the management of the LIGO Laboratory's Electronics Workshop and a team of talented engineers. The role spans a broad range of responsibilities, from cross-disciplinary collaboration with physicists and mechanical engineers to budget oversight and vendor coordination, offering both technical depth and meaningful professional growth for the right candidate.

Essential Job Duties

Technical Duties:

• Design low noise, high dynamic range, analog and digital electronics at the conceptual, preliminary and final design level
• Design and/or utilize opto-electronic devices including: Piezo transducers, photodiodes, solid state lasers, acousto-optic modulators, etc.
• Engage in hands-on creation of precise prototypes in a laboratory setting

Leadership and Staff Management:

• Manage the LIGO laboratory Caltech Electronics Workshop
• Manage tasks and activities for the Caltech Electronics group
• Lead a team of talented electrical engineers
• Coach more junior engineers and provide them with professional development opportunities
• Conduct regular team meetings to ensure open and clear communication with team members

Financial Management:

• Conduct annual reviews and other managerial tasks related to staff feedback, timekeeping and development
• Manage the LIGO Laboratory Caltech Electronics Hardware budgets

Technical Operations Oversight:

• Coordinate the procurement of necessary supplies, parts and materials required for the setup, operation and maintenance of electronics prototypes and detector improvements.
• Liaise with vendors, workshops and other research institutes and facilities for procurement, design and to expand the LIGO's electronics team capabilities
• Support observatories, either remotely or on-site. Participate in upgrades, troubleshooting, problem solving, failure analysis, root cause and corrective action processes as required

Strategic Planning and Innovation:

• Coordinate the research and development for new electronics and new electronics technologies across the LIGO laboratory
• Perform cross-discipline work involving mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and physics
• Coordinate the development of test procedures and evaluation methodologies, as well as the corresponding planning and execution of these experiments
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. in Electronics Engineering or a related degree.
• 10+ years of relevant experience. Experience can be from industry or academia, in a production or a research environment, or a combination of these
• Excellent working knowledge of advanced electronics theory and practice, from design to production and testing
• Electronics CAD experience from concept to finished product
• Precision electronics construction skills including: soldering, repair, and prototyping
• Work effectively with cross-disciplinary teams
• Work non-standard work week as required to support project deliverables/schedule
• Work in a cleanroom and laser environment for extended periods of time
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license
• Must be able to lift and/or carry 20 or more pounds of lab and/or prototype equipment
• Must be able to travel to the LIGO observatories in Washington, Louisiana, and Massachusetts, up to 25% of the time on average

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks, 5+ years or certification
• Experience with Altium, 5+ years or certification
• IPC electronics design and assembly certifications or equivalent
• Machine shop skills as applies to electronics fabrication
• Possess a high level of initiative, flexibility, and creativity. Possess the ability to multitask, strong problem solving skills, and a desire to learn
• The ideal candidate adapts quickly and resourcefully to shifting priorities and requirements, acquiring whatever knowledge and/or skills are required to effectively address problems that arise

Required Documents

• Cover Letter summarizing your relevant experience and why you want to work at LIGO.
• Resume