LIGO Lab Electronics Group Lead

Position Description

LIGO Lab Electronics Group Lead

Job Category
Fulltime Regular

ExemptOvertimeEligible
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 Electronics Group Lead to join its team. This person will lead the activities of the Caltech LIGO laboratory electronics engineering team, coordinate R&D and detector improvements across the four locations of the LIGO laboratory, lead a team of electronics engineers and technicians, and participate in planning future upgrades and activities of the LIGO laboratory.

This position is located in Pasadena, California.

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

This is an opportunity for a seasoned electronics engineer to take on a leadership role at the heart of gravitational-wave research, based on the Caltech campus in Pasadena, California. The position combines deep technical work — designing precision analog and digital systems and building hands-on prototypes — with the management of the LIGO Laboratory's Electronics Workshop and a team of talented engineers. The role spans a broad range of responsibilities, from cross-disciplinary collaboration with physicists and mechanical engineers to budget oversight and vendor coordination, offering both technical depth and meaningful professional growth for the right candidate.

This is an Organizational Critical position. In the event of an emergency on campus, an employee designated as organizational critical is expected to report to Campus as soon as possible to assist in division/department response and recovery efforts.

Essential Job Duties

Technical Duties:

• Design low noise, high dynamic range, analog and digital electronics at the conceptual, preliminary and final design level
• Design and/or utilize opto-electronic devices including: Piezo transducers, photodiodes, solid state lasers, acousto-optic modulators, etc.
• Engage in hands-on creation of precise prototypes in a laboratory setting

Leadership and Staff Management:

• Manage the LIGO laboratory Caltech Electronics Workshop
• Manage tasks and activities for the Caltech Electronics group
• Lead a team of talented electrical engineers
• Coach more junior engineers and provide them with professional development opportunities
• Conduct regular team meetings to ensure open and clear communication with team members

Financial Management:

• Conduct annual reviews and other managerial tasks related to staff feedback, timekeeping and development
• Manage the LIGO Laboratory Caltech Electronics Hardware budgets

Technical Operations Oversight:

• Coordinate the procurement of necessary supplies, parts and materials required for the setup, operation and maintenance of electronics prototypes and detector improvements.
• Liaise with vendors, workshops and other research institutes and facilities for procurement, design and to expand the LIGO’s electronics team capabilities
• Support observatories, either remotely or on-site. Participate in upgrades, troubleshooting, problem solving, failure analysis, root cause and corrective action processes as required

Strategic Planning and Innovation:

• Coordinate the research and development for new electronics and new electronics technologies across the LIGO laboratory
• Perform cross-discipline work involving mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and physics
• Coordinate the development of test procedures and evaluation methodologies, as well as the corresponding planning and execution of these experiments
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. in Electronics Engineering or a related degree.
• 10+ years of relevant experience. Experience can be from industry or academia, in a production or a research environment, or a combination of these
• Excellent working knowledge of advanced electronics theory and practice, from design to production and testing
• Electronics CAD experience from concept to finished product
• Precision electronics construction skills including: soldering, repair, and prototyping
• Work effectively with cross-disciplinary teams
• Work non-standard work week as required to support project deliverables/schedule
• Work in a cleanroom and laser environment for extended periods of time
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
• Must be able to lift and/or carry 20 or more pounds of lab and/or prototype equipment
• Must be able to travel to the LIGO observatories in Washington, Louisiana, and Massachusetts, up to 25% of the time on average

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks, 5+ years or certification
• Experience with Altium, 5+ years or certification
• IPC electronics design and assembly certifications or equivalent
• Machine shop skills as applies to electronics fabrication
• Possess a high level of initiative, flexibility, and creativity. Possess the ability to multitask, strong problem solving skills, and a desire to learn
• The ideal candidate adapts quickly and resourcefully to shifting priorities and requirements, acquiring whatever knowledge and/or skills are required to effectively address problems that arise

Required Documents

• Cover Letter summarizing your relevant experience and why you want to work at LIGO.
• Resume

Hiring Range

$134,000 - $145,000 Per Year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.