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Details
Posted: 16-Apr-26
Location: Richland, Washington
Categories:
Academic/Faculty
Engineering
Internal Number: 7084823
Caltech
Exempt Overtime Eligible: Exempt
Benefits Eligible: Benefit Based
Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.
Job Summary
The Caltech/MIT Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) seeks a highly motivated, skilled, and experienced vacuum engineer with a strong background in both chemistry and solid state physics as they apply to UHV systems.
This is a LIGO staff position that will be assigned to the Cosmic Explorer Beamtube Experiment (CEBEX) for an initial three-year term. Current gravitational wave observatories encompass ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) 4km long beamtubes. Next generation detectors like Cosmic Explorer (CE) will be ten times bigger. CEBEX will result in the design, construction, and evaluation of a 120m demonstration tube at the LIGO Hanford Observatory (LHO) site to address the associated engineering challenges of building the next generation systems. This position is based at the LIGO Hanford Observatory (LHO) in Washington State.
As a LIGO employee, the candidate will be assigned to CEBEX for a three-year term and will primarily work on the CEBEX demonstrator. This is a chance to get in at the ground level on a world-leading, cutting-edge experiment. The successful candidate will have significant influence over the direction and future of this key aspect of gravitational wave detectors. At the end of the CEBEX assignment this successful candidate will be integrated into the LIGO team at Hanford.
The candidate will report directly to the LIGO Hanford Observatory Operations Manager. Their matrix manager will be the Director of Cosmic Explorer and Head of the LIGO Hanford Observatory. Like LIGO, CEBEX is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation.
This is an Organizational Critical position. In the event of an emergency on campus, an employee designated as organizational critical is expected to report to Campus as soon as possible to assist in division/department response and recovery efforts.
Essential Job Duties
- Designing & Modelling the planned 120m demonstration tube
- Design in CAD key aspects of the design and integrate them into the overall assembly using SolidWorks and the associated PDM Vault.
- Be responsible for modelling aspects of the design using both finite element packages and mathematical tools.
- Oversee modelling work of others on the team in particular mentoring junior members of the team.
- The design and modelling work will include material, structural, safety, installation, commissioning and vacuum performance factors.
- Systems Engineering
- Working with both internal technical staff and external partners to deliver integrated solutions that meet all requirements.
- Resolving technical issues, ensuring that the demonstration systems are operational and reliable.
- Leading/defining trade studies
- Developing systems requirements & specifications
- Leading/defining design reviews
- Work with the team on fabrication oversight, installation, commissioning and operation of the CEBEX experimental system.
- Writing statements of work for procurement of necessary materials.
- Managing projects to value engineering on a tight budget and schedule.
- Coordinating with Project Manager to provide input to schedule updates and reporting as necessary.
- Engaging with vendors, contractors, supply chains.
- Support installation and acceptance of the demonstration system.
- Manage experiments on the demonstration system.
- Write daily logs and reports on the state of the demonstration system.
- Process measurements, ensure reliable data acquisition and interpretation, including but not limited to:
- Characterizing material samples with defined surface finishes and/or functional coatings.
- Operating ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems e.g. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Secondary Electron Yield (SEY).
- Preparing written reports, and presenting results in technical meetings and associated reviews.
- Monitoring and maintaining the performance of measurement equipment including required calibrations.
- Other duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in vacuum science or vacuum engineering,
- BS in Physics, Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical or Systems Engineering; Material Science; or a related scientific or engineering field.
- 3-5 years workplace experience in developing system requirements and performance objectives for bids, quotes, etc.
- Basic understanding of surface science methods and instruments (SEM-EDS, XPS, Auger, SIMS, FTIR, etc.) and their utility.
- 3-5 years post-education workplace experience with high-level workbench software such as ANSYS or COMSOL.
- Demonstrated 3-d modeling skills are a plus. SolidWorks is preferred.
- 3-5 years post-education workplace proficiency in MATLAB, Mathematica, or Python, Office 365.
Preferred Qualifications
- Masters in Physics, Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical or Systems Engineering; Material Science; or a related scientific or engineering field
- Knowledge of ultra-high vacuum (UHV) production, measurement, and analysis.
- Experience with large vacuum systems such as space simulation, beamlines, colliders or thermal-vacuum chambers.
- Ability to specify UHV equipment (chambers, pumps, valves, windows, gauges, flanges, seals, etc.) to achieve system requirements.
- Experience in defining materials and fabrication techniques to be used in vacuum construction, particularly UHV compatible materials, processes, and welding.
- Experience with Instrument control such as LabView.
Required Documents
- Cover letter summarizing your relevant vacuum experience and your interest in working at LIGO.
- Resume.
To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://hr.caltech.edu/work/job_openings
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a world-renowned science and engineering research and education institution, where extraordinary faculty and students seek answers to complex questions, discover new knowledge, lead innovation, and transform our future.
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