Position Overview:
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is one of 17 US Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories. Operated by Stanford University on behalf of DOE, SLAC develops and operates some of the world’s premier science facilities, including the first hard X-ray free-electron laser. Researchers from SLAC and other premier institutions around the world use our facilities to investigate some of the most exciting and important problems facing our society in areas such as clean energy, environmental science, biomedicine, and advanced materials.
The Applied Energy Division at SLAC is currently seeking an UI/UX Designer to support impactful applied research as part of the Grid Integration, Systems and Mobility (GISMo) group. The engineer will work on developing solutions for the urgent challenges of de-carbonization, electricity generation, and energy delivery.
The UI/UX Designer will assist research staff in the GISMo group in developing user interfaces for applications related to renewable integration, end-use load electrification, demand response, and other scientific and energy software products. Additionally, the incumbent will be expected to conduct author technical reports, provide UI designs to software engineers, and present findings to managers, scientists, engineers, and researchers in the GISMo group, utility partners, and industry collaborators.
Given the nature of this position, SLAC is open to on-site and hybrid work options.
Specific responsibilities (include but are not limited to):
- Identify target user groups, develop user surveys, carry out interviews, and other types of inquiry to help understand user needs
- Ensure the creation and implementation of customized experiences for users of digital systems such as web pages and mobile apps.
- Produce high-quality solutions through flow diagrams, graphic designs, storyboards and site maps
- Provide guidance on the implementation of UX research techniques and testing activities to assess user behavior
- Maintain a competitive edge against competitor products and industry trends
- Perform tests on user interface elements such as CTAs, layouts, target links, landing pages and banners
- Understand product specifications and user psychology and predict what might work for both
- Verify, validate, compare, evaluate, and present results.
- Write a technical report summarizing the findings.
- Support open-source software development of GISMO’s load modeling toolkit.
- Serve as a technical resource for scientists, engineers, and post-doctoral researchers.
Opportunities and Benefits
- Growth and mentorship from exceptionally talented engineers and scientists from SLAC and Stanford University.
- A mission-driven, stable, collaborative, highly interdisciplinary, and supportive work environment.
- Opportunity to experience a multidisciplinary research environment, integrating knowledge from many subject areas spanning the physical sciences, applied mathematics, and software engineering.
Note: This is a fixed-term appointment for 1 year, with the option to renew annually depending on funding availability.
To be successful in this position, candidates should:
- Bachelor's degree or combination of education and relevant experience.
- Demonstrated ability in designing and developing user interfaces for utility and/or energy applications.
- Have a working knowledge of software tools and design paradigms.
- Have education in and/or experience writing technical reports.
- Working knowledge of software engineering, electrical systems, power systems, and/or energy systems.
- Understanding of common electricity and/or energy system demand response and distributed energy resource paradigms.
- Have the ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
- Exceptional technical writing skills.
- Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical groups.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Strong understanding of control engineering and direct and indirect load control methods.
- Familiarity with residential energy profiles and end-uses.
- Experience writing open-source Python software.
SLAC Employee Competencies:
- Effective Decisions: Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.
- Self-Development: Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.
- Dependability: Can be counted on to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.
- Initiative: Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward.
- Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
- Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages.
- Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.
Physical requirements and working conditions:
- Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
WORK STANDARDS:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1—General Policy and Responsibilities:
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide,
As an organization that receives federal funding, SLAC and Stanford University have a COVID-19 vaccination requirement that will apply to all university employees, including those working remotely in the United States and applicable subcontractors.
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Classification Title: User Experience Designer 1
Job code: 4815
Job Grade: H
Duration: Fixed Term
The expected pay range for this position is $90,000 to $110,000 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
