Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is the site for the new Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a one-of-a-kind nuclear physics research facility. The EIC will be a discovery machine for unlocking the secrets of the “glue” that binds the building blocks of visible matter in the universe. The machine design is based on the existing and highly optimized RHIC Ion-Ion collider. It will consist of two intersecting accelerators, one producing an intense beam of electrons, the other a beam of protons or heavier atomic nuclei which are steered into collisions. Beyond sparking scientific discoveries in a new frontier of fundamental physics, the Electron-Ion Collider will trigger technological breakthroughs that have broad-ranging impact on human health and national challenges.
Position Description:
The major systems in the EIC include the following particle accelerators and storage rings systems:
An electron fast cycling 18 GeV synchrotron with an electron source, LINAC, transfer lines, and beam injection/extraction systems.
An 18 GeV electron storage ring.
A 275 GeV Hadron storage ring created through the modification and upgrade of one of the RHIC accelerator/storage ring to increase its top energy, beam quality, and beam intensity.
The interaction region electron and hadron beam lines with supporting equipment that align the beams for collisions within the EIC detector.
These particle accelerator rings will be located within the existing 2.4-mile circumference RHIC tunnel and the equipment that supports them will also share space in the EIC support buildings.
The Chief Systems Engineer (CSE) provides the highest level of technical systems engineering leadership for a DOE capital project, ensuring that all subsystems are coherently integrated into a unified, functional facility that meets the project's scientific and operational requirements. This role sits at the intersection of science, engineering, and project management. The primary focus of this position is on the technical integrity & integration of EIC design through three key steps: requirements → design → verification. The CSE reports to the EIC Technical Director (or deputy Director) and focusses on answering the following question: “Does the system do what it's supposed to do?”
The Chief Systems Engineer will collaborate and coordinate EIC Systems Engineering responsibilities across all technical teams, ensuring effective and timely communication and continuity in systems integration and verification processes. The Chief Systems Engineer will also manage and supervise the EIC System Engineering Team.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Own and maintain the top-level technical requirements, ensuring allocation and traceability to all subsystems.
Lead cross-system integration efforts to ensure all subsystems function together as a cohesive system.
Define, manage, and resolve interfaces between subsystems including technical, functional, and organizational interfaces.
Establish and oversee the system verification and validation program to ensure compliance with technical requirements.
Serves as the system engineering technical authority during all DOE Critical Decision reviews and external advisory committees
- Provide system engineering leadership throughout the full system lifecycle, from concept through commissioning and operations transition.
Develop and maintain the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) in accordance with DOE Order 413.3B
Own the technical requirements baseline and ensure all changes are managed through a formal configuration control process
Ensure that verification and validation plans, methos and acceptance criteria are defined and maintained for all subsystems.
Provide leadership and oversight for the systems engineering interface with the RF, Controls, Instrumentation, Mechanical, Magnet, Electrical, Vacuum, and Design Groups for both electron and hadron beam accelerator and storage systems.
Develop and maintain the System Engineering Group organization and infrastructure to provide support services for the EIC project.
Guide and develop staff with high standards for quality of work and to meet the anticipated workload requirements.
Support the development and definition of detailed requirement documents, machine parameter tables, physics, engineering, technical, and functional specifications, interface control documentation, and all other project documentation.
Ensure that the support documentation for each accelerator system and component has well defined provisions for support systems: electrical power, water cooling, HVAC, compressed air, cryogenics, controls, etc.
Support project interface management with other accelerator systems and their associated system engineers to ensure that the overall system integration effort and project scope defines and establishes clear boundaries and interfaces and avoids duplication of effort while ensuring full coverage of scope.
Track, support, and review performance data and reports, any corrective action items, perform cost and schedule evaluations.
Assist in design review preparation and execution, ensuring that design packages meet system-level criteria and requirements traceability.
Maintain an environment conducive to openness, collaboration, and respect for all.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Bachelor's degree in System Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or other related discipline.
Minimum 15 years of relevant technical experience (including at least 5 years in a senior engineering role), with experience collaborating on large projects, and a demonstrated record of successes with progressively increasing responsibilities.
Experience with the management, supervision, and coordination of a variety of scientific, engineering, and technical staff working on complex systems and equipment.
Experience in specification, design, procurement, fabrication, construction, test, installation, commissioning, and operation of complex systems.
Experience in an accelerator environment working with scientists, engineers and technicians to overcome complex and diverse technical challenges and deliver systems which perform as specified.
Excellent written and oral communication skills and proficiency with standard MS Office tools.
Demonstrated experience organizing and presenting at engineering design and safety reviews, and at cost and schedule reviews.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Project management experience, formal project management training, and/or PMP certification.
Familiarity with DOE project management requirements, including DOE Order 413.3B and the Critical Decision process
Systems engineering, project engineering, and systems interface experience.
Experience with particle accelerator operations, accelerator and scientific equipment installation and maintenance
Professional Engineers license.
Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements:
Will be required to climb ladders for equipment installation and inspection
Will be required to become a qualified Radiation Worker
May be required to occasionally work off-hours, nights and/or weekends to support mission critical projects
Other Information:
Valid drivers’ license is required
Some travel may be required
Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $146550 - $249200/ year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program
Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id. This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act. Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews.
As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM- Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program- Physical Protection Program.
About Us
Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor
BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline
- At least 15 years of relevant technical experience, including at least 5 years in a senior engineering role
- Experience collaborating on large projects with progressively increasing responsibilities
- Experience managing, supervising, and coordinating scientific, engineering, and technical staff working on complex systems and equipment
- Experience with specification, design, procurement, fabrication, construction, testing, installation, commissioning, and operation of complex systems
- Experience in an accelerator environment working with scientists, engineers, and technicians
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Proficiency with standard Microsoft Office tools
- Experience organizing and presenting at engineering design, safety, cost, and schedule reviews
- Project management experience, formal project management training, and/or PMP certification
- Familiarity with DOE project management requirements, DOE Order 413.3B, and the Critical Decision process
- Systems engineering, project engineering, and systems interface experience
- Experience with particle accelerator operations and accelerator or scientific equipment installation and maintenance
- Professional Engineer license
- Ability to climb ladders for equipment installation and inspection
- Ability to become a qualified Radiation Worker
- Valid driver's license
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification credential
What We Do
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory conducting fundamental and applied research in nuclear and particle physics, photon sciences, energy security, quantum and information science, and artificial intelligence. BNL operates large user facilities and partners with academia and industry to translate scientific discoveries into technologies and programs supporting energy, national security, and public-benefit applications.
