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Details
Posted: 10-Apr-26
Location: Richland, Washington
Type: Full-time
Internal Number: 7070613
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.
LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilled LHO Electrical Engineering Lead to join its team.
This position is an in-person role located at the LIGO Hanford Observatory in Hanford, Washington.
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
At LIGO Hanford you'll coordinate a skilled team of engineers and technicians in the design, testing, and maintenance of precision analog and digital electronics, playing a key role in the day-to-day operations of a one-of-a-kind scientific facility. You'll collaborate with a diverse, international community of scientists and engineers, and have the opportunity to contribute to research that pushes the boundaries of what's possible. This is a leadership role where your technical skills and team-building abilities both matter.
Essential Job Duties
The Electrical Engineering (EE) Lead is responsible for coordinating a small team of engineers and technicians in the design, testing, installation and maintenance of low noise analog/digital electronics. The EE Lead must ensure the group delivers the desired electronics performance, operations, and data integrity. The working schedule is typically 5 days a week M-F, but in support of 24/7 operations, after-hours work may be required to restore systems.
- Coordinate and prioritize and lead electrical/electronics teams' work
- Program, install, and troubleshoot PLC hardware. Tune control loops and improve performance of system.
- Oversee electrical contractors ensuring proper installation following NFPA 70.
- 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.
- Assist with testing of electronics hardware.
- Work with other leads to layout scope and schedule for installations.
- Participate in design reviews with emphasis on electronics and electrical safety.
- Participate in the characterization of instrumental signatures in interferometer data and assist with the development of operational techniques and analysis methods to discriminate these signatures.
- Assist in the collaborative development of new technologies, methods, and protocols, in support of the LIGO Laboratory's ongoing mission. These efforts may require occasional travel to other LIGO installations and collaborating institutions in Livingston, Louisiana, Pasadena, California, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and possibly internationally.
- Participate in general safety and laser safety training. Report any safety issues to the LHO Site Safety Manager and/or LHO Laser Safety Officer.
- Conduct performance appraisals and other human resource requirements for the electrical engineering team.
- Occasionally participate in educational activities for the public, including detector engineering and science, astrophysical investigations, and basic science concepts.
- Other duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications
- BS in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience.
- 7+ years of direct experience in electrical engineering, with at least 1 year in a leadership role.
- Demonstrated proficiency in designing PLC hardware and programming.
- Working knowledge of NFPA 70
- Working knowledge of standard office computing applications (e.g. Word, Excel and web Applications).
- Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbal.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in electrical engineering.
- Working knowledge designing systems with Beckhoff PLCs TwinCat3.
- Experience working in a research and development environment.
Required Documents
- A cover letter summarizing your relevant experience and describing your interest in working at LIGO Lab.
- 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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