Senior Engineer

Payroll Title: Research and Development Engineer 3

Job Code: 007120

Job Open Date: 04/17/2025

Application Review Begins: 05/02/2025; open until filled

Department Code (Name): PHYS (PHYSICS DEPT)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): 99 (Non-Represented)

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff (Career)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: Grade 23

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $100,000 to $135,000/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $85,400 to $156,800/year.

Work Location: Broida Hall - 5239

Working Days and Hours: Mon-Fri; 8am-5pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The Physics Department is widely regarded as one of the premier physics departments in the world. UCSB's Physics faculty include two Nobel Laureates, 16 memberships of the National Academies, and a host of award-winning faculty. UCSB's relatively small Physics Department is now ranked among the top 10 graduate programs in the Nation. The complexity of the Department is represented by the provision of a broad set of support services: administrative, student affairs, extramural grant administration, staff support for instructional lecture and laboratory courses, outreach activities, computing services, a machine shop that supports student and faculty research, and a storeroom and purchasing staff that serve many campus departments.

Benefits of Belonging:

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

Serves as senior engineer to the High Energy Physics (HEP) research group consisting of eight faculty and associated researchers engaged in complex, high stakes, multi-million dollar national and international collaborative research projects. Holds major responsibilities associated with the execution of research objectives of the HEP group. Prepares engineering specifications for specialized tooling and components for particle detectors used at national and international accelerator labs such as Fermilab, SLAC and CERN. Responsible for the development, design, setup and testing of precision tooling for the construction of particle detector systems, using computer aided design and finite element analysis. Participates in the coordination of these design and construction efforts with researchers and engineering staff of the international collaborations and with independent contractors and suppliers to establish and maintain complex budgets and schedules. Develops standard operating procedures and quality assurance protocols for the detector assembly. Supervises technical support personnel engaged in the construction and installation of particle detectors. Presents the status of projects at national and international collaboration meetings and funding agency reviews. National and international travel for meetings, site visits and detector installation. #LI-KA1

Required Qualifications:

• 4+ years' experience designing, constructing, and installing high precision research equipment.
• 4+ years of project management experience coordinating efforts with the researchers and engineering staff of international collaborations and independent contractors and suppliers.
• 4+ years of experience leading, supervising, and training researchers and engineering staff.
• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Physics, or equivalent experience / training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge associated with the planning, development, design and fabrication of complex detector systems used in high energy physics research.
• Expertise in the design, construction and installation of high precision particle detectors.
• Strong creativity and problem-solving abilities to apply principles, practices and procedures within discipline to complete difficult assignments.
• Strong project management skills to coordinate efforts with the researchers and engineering staffs of international collaborations and independent contractors and suppliers to establish and maintain complex budgets and schedules.
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative manner, readily assess challenges and recommend effective resolutions.
• Advanced communication skills, both written and verbal, to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Thorough knowledge and experience with engineering principles and methods to independently perform the full range of engineering professional design work.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• National and international travel required.
• Satisfactory conviction history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegation or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 65% Engineering/Research & Development - Executes engineering activities for multiple projects in the High Energy Physics Research group. Develops engineering concepts and designs for a variety of high precision detector components and tooling. Develops fabrication and manufacturing methods. Responsible for detailed fabrication schedules and material procurement. Designs special tooling, handling fixtures and testing fixtures for use during assembly operations. Develops and trains technical staff on standard operating procedures and quality assurance protocols for detector assembly. Provides engineering information and advice to PIs and other faculty and research personnel with administrative responsibility for the High Energy Physics research program.
• 20% Supervision of Technical HEP Staff - Supervises High Energy Physics technical staff consisting of development technicians, various graduate student researchers and undergraduate workers engaged in the 0design, development, fabrication, assembly, testing and use of research equipment. Responsible for recruitment, training, and performance evaluation of technical staff.
• 10% Project Schedule Administration & Presentation - Assists the faculty in maintaining project schedules and budgets for the High Energy Physics group. Presents the status of projects and represents the High Energy Physics group at national and international collaboration meetings.
• 5% Professional Development - Responsible for remaining up-to-date on state-of-the-art technology and providing current information and professional development opportunities to the High Energy Physics engineering group in the following areas: high energy physics detector systems; CAD/CAM techniques; material sciences; microelectronic technology and fabrication techniques.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs. As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit:

* UC Sant Barbara COVID-19 Information - https://www.ucsb.edu/COVID-19-information
* University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Opportunity:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Reasonable Accommodations:

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