Senior Manufacturing Engineer

The Engineering Division at Berkeley Lab is seeking a dedicated and experienced Manufacturing Engineer to join the ALS-U (Advanced Light Source Upgrade) Project, a high-impact initiative to upgrade one of the most advanced National User Facilities in the world. This role will focus on managing large-scale Department of Energy (DOE) projects, ensuring that $10M-$15M worth of components and assemblies are designed, fabricated, procured, installed, and tested to the highest standards and within the project timeline. As a key member of the project team, you will oversee complex manufacturing processes, from technical problem-solving and procurement to quality assurance and vendor management. We're looking for a proactive engineer with a strong foundation in manufacturing and assembly, who excels in coordinating diverse technical teams and driving high-stakes, mission-critical projects to success. This is an exciting opportunity to apply your expertise to groundbreaking research and technology development.

What You Will Do:

• Oversee fabrication of unique or highly customized, high precision mechanical assemblies and equipment, for national research programs.
• Serve as the technical point of contact for vendors on technically complex or challenging procurement contracts, from contract award to contract closeout.
• Lead technical staff performing testing and inspection activities for your assigned product scope, from delivery to system integration and/or installation.
• Contribute to project scope development, choice of manufacturing methods, component sourcing, time/cost estimates, and logistics planning.
• Write specifications for manufacturing, assembly, and testing.
• Write specifications for technically complex or challenging procurements, including the gathering and organization of technical details and requirements.
• Own and manage manufacturing design and documentation packages for vendors.
• Develop Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and First Article Inspection (FAI) plans for procurement contracts, and coordinate mutually agreed upon test and inspection methodologies with vendors.
• Travel to vendors as needed, including for Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRRs), Quality Audits, and First Article FATs.
• Review and approve vendor documentation for completeness and integrity.
• Track material status from fabrication to final acceptance using inventory management software.
• Write and implement manufacturing and quality procedures, including non-conformance reporting and change orders.
• Create, review, and approve work instructions, quality assurance documents, and test plans for component validation.
• Design test support equipment (adapters, fixtures, installations, reconfigurations).
• Plan and coordinate day-to-day activities with technical staff.
• Work hands-on with technical staff to resolve QC issues and technical challenges with hardware.
• Network with senior internal and external personnel in their own area of expertise.

What is Required:

• B.S. in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering (or similar) and 5+ years of related experience as a technical liaison with vendors/coordinator with procurement staff, or equivalent experience.
• Intrinsic motivation, robust independent problem-solving skills, and a strong willingness to collaborate effectively in a team environment where clear communication is essential.
• Experience with fabrication techniques (for example, Welding, Conventional Machining, EDM, etc.)
• Expertise in inspection, dimensional metrology and GD&T.
• Proficient in reading and interpreting component, assembly, detail, and weldment drawings.
• Experience handling mechanical/manufacturing considerations for project procurement.
• Experience providing engineering oversight and management of projects involving technical components.
• Experience with 3D CAD modeling software.
• Experience with Product Data Management (PDM) software.
• Experience with inventory management in production environments.
• Experience writing specifications for complex procurements, gathering and organizing technical requirements.
• Experience in writing and establishing QA/QC documents and plans.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in a research and development environment.
• Experience with Windchill PLM software.
• Experience with CREO parametric 3D CAD software.
• Technical knowledge of manufacturing and assembly practices and processes for particle accelerators and x-ray (synchrotron/FEL) beamlines.
• Advanced degree (Master's or similar) in related field.

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.
• The expected salary for this position is $130,000.00 - $158,000.00, which fits into the full salary of $115,176.00 - $194,340.00 depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities, including education, certifications, and years of experience.
• 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.

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

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.