Computer Systems Engineer

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL ) Advanced Light Source (ALS ) Division has an opening for a Computer Systems Engineer to develop cutting-edge data management platforms that facilitate storage, analysis, and visualization for scientific discovery. You will collaborate with the ALS Photon Science Development (PSD) and ALS Photon Science Operations (PSO) groups to create data orchestration tools, manage data and metadata, apply data analysis algorithms, and develop user-facing applications adhering to FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles. This role involves working closely with staff, scientists, and external collaborators to devise solutions suitable for diverse instruments and computational environments. 

 

The Advanced Light Source is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national scientific user facility whose excellent scientific reputation, expert staff, and capabilities in the soft x-ray, hard X-ray, and infrared regimes attract nearly 1,700 academic and industrial users each year in disciplines spanning physical, chemical, materials, biological, energy, and Earth sciences. It is one of five Berkeley Lab user facilities that serve a combined 11,000 users annually. The co-location of these user facilities – including the Molecular Foundry Nanoscale Science Research Center and the NERSC scientific computing center, as well as Berkeley Lab's outstanding programs in materials and chemical sciences, among others – offers a prime environment for collaborative science. The ALS has been a global leader in soft X-ray science for more than two decades and is currently undergoing a large-scale upgrade (ALS-U) that will endow the facility with state-of-the-art X-ray capabilities. It's an exciting time to join our growing team!

 

What You Will Do:

Computer Systems Engineer 2

• Develop data management services for thousands of visiting researchers.
• Create browser-based user interfaces for scientific analysis and workflows.
• Design, deploy, and maintain SQL/NoSQL databases for ALS data management.
• Implement modern unit testing and deployment techniques for software.
• Develop comprehensive user documentation, including guidelines and tutorials.
• Manage and publish (meta) data standards, ensuring compliance with standards.
• Implement Continuous Integration and deployment workflows.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues with data management systems.
• Collaborate with other Scientific User Facilities on shared open-source projects, including code development and peer review.
• Present your work at various forums.
• Develop solutions directly with ALS beamline scientists.

 

Additional Duties for Computer Systems Engineer 3:

• Provide technical leadership in implementing web-based solutions.
• Independently lead complex projects and analyze technology choices for new initiatives.

 

What is Required:

• 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 3 years with a Master’s degree, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with web frameworks (SPA frameworks like React, Vue, Angular, or server-side frameworks like Django, Ruby on Rails, ASP.NET, Spring).
• Minimum 3 years of experience developing database applications using SQL and/or NoSQL databases.
• Experience building applications with authenticated access.
• Minimum 3 years professional experience developing software in a language such as Python, C, C++, C#, Java.
• Proficiency in front-end and back-end software development.
• Experience with software project management techniques (revision control, build tools, issue tracking, CI tools).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work on complex issues and to exercise judgment in selecting tools and approaches.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work as part of a team, including the ability to interact well with external collaborators and scientists
• Experience developing authorization and authentication systems using standard protocols (e.g., OIDC, SAML, etc.)
• Experience developing and maintaining databases (e.g., SQL)

Additional Requirements for CSE 3

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and a minimum of 8 years of related experience, or a Master’s degree with 6 years of related experience, or equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the development of complex software systems.
• Ability to lead projects from design through deployment, providing technical leadership and coordinate work across multiple developers.

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience creating data analysis methods and procedures.
• Experience with workflow/orchestration systems like Prefect, Airflow.
• Experience with configuring and maintaining GitHub Actions.
• Experience with one or more container deployment systems such as Podman, Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience with HPC systems.

 

 

Required Application Materials:

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume

 

Notes:

• This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• If hired at a level 2:
• This position is expected to pay $106,596.00- $133,236.00, which fits within the full salary range of $106,596.00-$179,880.00 for the C70.2 job code. Salary for this position will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, and certifications, and aligned with the internal peer group.
• If hired at a level 3:
• This position is expected to pay $126,900.00- $158,628.00, which fits within the full salary range of $126,900.00-$214,140.00 for the C70.3 job code. Salary for this position will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, and aligned with the internal peer group.
• This position may be 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 will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

 

 

Learn About Us:

Berkeley Lab (LBNL) addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 16 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

 

The core values of the ALS reflect a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek candidates who will support a culture in which each member of the community feels welcomed and valued. An ongoing commitment to recruiting and retaining a vibrant, diverse, and talented workforce is paramount to promoting a strong and successful lab community. For more information refer to the LBNL core values and the ALS mission statement and core values.

 

 

Working at Berkeley Lab has many rewards including a competitive compensation program, excellent health and welfare programs, a retirement program that is second to none, and outstanding development opportunities. To view information about the many rewards that are offered at Berkeley Lab- Click Here .

 

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments.

 

Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab’s mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse 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, or protected veteran status. 

 

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:

Know your rights, click here for the supplement: "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law" and the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4.