Engineering Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Engineering Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is seeking an Electronics Engineering Associate to provide vital technical support for electrical and electronic systems at the 88-Inch Cyclotron and its experimental program. Under general supervision and in consultation with scientists and engineers, this role provides moderately complex technical support across electronic design, engineering documentation, procurement, fabrication/installation instructions, testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning support for accelerator, beamline, and facility electronic systems.

Applying standard engineering principles and practical technical knowledge, this position will support the design, implementation, maintenance, and evaluation of electronic and control systems-including RF systems, high-voltage/high-current power supplies, PLC and relay-based controls and interlocks, instrumentation, vacuum controls, cooling-water monitoring, magnets, and supporting electrical infrastructure. This role collaborates closely with Cyclotron scientists, engineers, operators, technicians, Facilities personnel, and vendors to ensure seamless operation, upgrades, and integration of cutting-edge scientific systems.

We're here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
• Opportunities to grow in your career - check out our Tuition Assistance Program
• A culture where you'll belong - we are invested in our teams! 
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)
• Pet insurance

You will:

• Apply technical expertise and knowledge of standard engineering and scientific concepts and practices to design and coordinate electronic systems for 88-Inch Cyclotron accelerator, beamline, experimental, and facility equipment. Determine design approaches, analyze system performance, conduct tests, evaluate results, and select components based on specifications, reliability, maintainability, and operational requirements.
• Apply electrical and electronic engineering principles and industry practices in the development, modernization, maintenance, and integration of Cyclotron systems, including RF systems, high-voltage and high-current power supplies, instrumentation, PLC-based controls, relay-based interlocks, vacuum controls, and cooling-water monitoring.
• Develop and implement technical designs and coordinate engineering and operational assignments from concept through installation, testing, commissioning, and turnover, following established engineering and project management practices.
• Provide resolutions to technical problems of moderately complex scope by analyzing operating data and reviewing identifiable factors. Perform troubleshooting, diagnostics, testing, and reverse engineering as required, and provide technical input to operators, technicians, and other project personnel.
• Contribute as a technical resource for assigned Cyclotron electrical, electronic, and control subsystems, supporting integration planning, installation readiness, commissioning, configuration control, maintenance, and long-term operational support.
• Collaborate in specifying electrical infrastructure, including AC loads, power delivery to racks and components, control cabling, wireways, grounding, and interfaces with facility systems, in conformance with the National Electrical Code (NEC), LBNL requirements, and applicable standards.
• Specify and coordinate equipment racks, enclosures, cabling, and supporting infrastructure, considering equipment requirements, maintainability, environmental constraints, cable routing, and compliance with NEC, NRTL, and seismic requirements.
• Coordinate the specification and procurement of hardware and materials for 88-Inch Cyclotron systems. Review design drawings, establish inspection and acceptance criteria, evaluate vendor information, and verify that equipment and materials comply with LBNL requirements.
• Maintain engineering documentation for Cyclotron electrical and electronic systems, including design proposals, specifications, schematics, cable information, installation instructions, test procedures, and as-built updates. Use approved CAD tools and maintain documentation in shared repositories.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, operators, technicians, Facilities personnel, vendors, and other project personnel to coordinate system design, installation, troubleshooting, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Promote and support a strong culture of safety by maintaining required training and QEW2 status, following LBNL electrical safety practices, and adhering to Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), work planning and control, and proper PPE requirements.

Requirements:

• Knowledge equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, physics, nuclear engineering, a related technical field, or equivalent industrial experience.
• Demonstrated ability to execute designs and coordinate implementation of technical projects or operational assignments from beginning to end under general supervision, using established project management principles.
• Solid foundation in electronic circuit and system design, testing, troubleshooting, equipment integration, and operational support.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and mechanical drawings and coordinate electronic designs with equipment layouts, racks, cable routing, and facility interfaces.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, record-keeping, and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively with scientists, engineers, operators, technicians, trades personnel, vendors, and external partners.
• Knowledge and experience with RF systems, high-voltage and high-current DC power supplies, magnets, vacuum systems, low-conductivity cooling-water systems, and personnel or equipment protection systems.
• Working proficiency in CAD design techniques, including chassis design, schematic capture, and documentation using AutoCAD, OrCAD, KiCAD, or equivalent tools.
• Basic knowledge of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), basic ladder logic, relay-based control and safety systems, instrumentation, and equipment interlocks.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Experience with accelerator, beamline, RF, power supply, instrumentation, or industrial control systems, or equivalent industrial experience, is preferred.
• Knowledge of electrical codes and electrical safety requirements, including NEC, LOTO, NFPA 70E, QEW practices, and laboratory safety standards.
• May supervise the activities of nonexempt personnel.
• Support non-88-Inch Cyclotron projects at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as required.
• May provide technical guidance and support to technicians, student employees, and other personnel within assigned work.
• Contribute to project cost and schedule management, coordinate assigned technical tasks, and communicate technical risks, dependencies, equipment status, and schedule impacts through logbooks, engineering records, document repositories, and technical meetings.
• Knowledge of networking hardware and protocols, database or document management tools, and configuration control practices.

Additional information:

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by August 25, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• Salary range: The expected salary for this position is $95,000 - $117,000 annually, which fits into the full salary of $84,552 - $142,716 depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
• Work authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here.