Vacuum Microwave Devices Department Head

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks a Department Head for the Vacuum Microwave Devices Department (VMDD). The VMDD operates and maintains facilities used in fabrication, high power testing, and RF and high voltage conditioning a wide range of accelerator vacuum microwave devices from 300 MHz to 100 GHz including high power RF sources (e.g. klystrons), RF accelerator structures, RF photoinjector guns, pulse compressors, and high power waveguide components. The department head collaborates with research and engineering staff primarily within the RF Accelerator Research and Engineering (RFARED) and Accelerator Research Divisions, and interacts with other SLAC departments, other DOE labs,  and the international accelerator community to fabricate and test devices to fill operational needs and support R&D for next generation systems. The successful candidate will manage a staff of approximately 30 (Engineers, Mechanical Technicians, Electronics Technicians, etc.). This position reports to the RF Accelerator Research and Engineering Division Director in the Accelerator Directorate of SLAC.  The department head responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: • Lead and manage the VMDD staff and function as a member of the RFARE Division leadership team. • Plan and control the flow of work through the VMDD to assure the timely delivery of contracted products and services. • Develop customer service contracts and deliver the agreed upon service on time and on budget. • Lead development and execution of a strategic vision and business plan that is in alignment with the Laboratory vision and scientific mission. • Formulate and implement a strategy for engineering development to push device performance and reliability. • Define the long and short term goals for the department based on the business plan. • Develop long and short term budgets to execute the business plan and manage to the budget. • Manage VMDD operations which include materials procurement and machine shop, inspection, tube fabrication shop, coating lab, bake facility, design and test, and improving the quality and quantity of service. • Direct and oversee the maintenance and improvement of all RFARED fabrication and RF test facilities and equipment. • Responsible for the planning, development and establishment of policies and practices related to all the activities of the organization, which align with SLAC’s internal policies and lab and industry best practices including work planning, safety, management and operation improvement initiatives. • Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and interface with technical experts, project leads, and managers.
Qualifications:	• Bachelors of Science degree or higher in electrical or mechanical engineering, physics, or related field. • Minimum of 10 years successfully managing the production of vacuum microwave devices. • Knowledge of materials, design, manufacturing, and processing needed for the successful creation of high power, vacuum microwave devices. • Experience with a range of high-power microwave devices. • Mastery of work planning and control; including developing resource and cost loaded project schedules, identifying work hazards and effective mitigations, and enforcing compliance with schedule and budget controls. • Demonstrated leadership, management, administrative experience of an engineering organization or complex project, including supervision of staff. • Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences ranging from lay people to technicians, engineers, or scientists. • Demonstrated ability to select personnel with the knowledge, qualifications, and skills needed to perform work in support of high power vacuum microwave devices or similar products. • Must be capable of and committed to achieving the department’s mission in a safe and respectful manner, in compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
Desired Skills:	Experience with the microwave tube R&D, industrial, and user communities across the government, labs, and private sector. Successful experience with business development.
Please Note:  The SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory values diversity and is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. SLAC confirms employment authorization for all new hires through the E-Verify Program.

Vacuum Microwave Devices Department Hea