Project Engineer (Magnets Engineer)

Institution

ALBA is the Spanish synchrotron light source, a large research infrastructure operating ten beamlines, complementary facilities, and an electron microscopy centre. Currently constructing additional beamlines and expanding the electron microscopy centre, it integrates advanced data analytics and supports scientific research across many fields.

Located in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain), it is funded by the Spanish Government and the Catalan Government.

Our highly motivated staff work in a multidisciplinary environment that values diversity, inclusion, and respect. We have a gender‑equity plan aimed at parity within the consortium and encourage applications from women for scientific, engineering and technical roles.

ALBA is upgrading to ALBA II, a 4th‑generation facility; joining the team offers career growth and opportunities to explore new territories.

Position Overview

The position is within the Projects Office Group of the Transversal Section of the Engineering Division.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of synchrotron equipment and instrumentation devices and systems from concept through detailed design.
• Manage multidisciplinary scientific instrumentation projects, overseeing all phases including technical specification, design review, manufacturing, assembly, quality control, and commissioning.
• Create 3‑D conceptual and detailed designs, manufacturing drawings, and installation layouts using advanced CAD tools.
• Develop and monitor project plans, estimating timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Draft and review technical specifications for public tenders and equipment procurement in collaboration with scientific and engineering teams.
• Define calculation and simulation requirements, performing or supervising FEA and other analyses.
• Oversee procurement processes and manage relationships with external suppliers.
• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate technical risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Define and document technical specifications for auxiliary installations such as gas lines and power supplies.
• Maintain and update comprehensive project technical documentation.
• Prepare and present technical papers, presentations, and posters for specialized seminars and international conferences.
• Provide technical support for operations, troubleshooting, upgrades, and continuous improvement of developed systems.

In this particular case, the selected engineer will be primarily devoted to the mechanical design of the new magnets for the ALBA II accelerator.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering (mechanics specialty), Physics Engineering, or equivalent.
• Minimum of one year of experience as a mechanical engineer in relevant development projects on optomechanics, mechatronics, scientific instrumentation, vacuum components, or particle accelerator components (e.g., magnets, girders, RF systems).
• Strong knowledge of mechanical design, CAD modelling, and project management.
• Proficiency in finite‑element analysis and related simulation tools.
• English language proficiency at least at B2 level.

Benefits

The role is a permanent scientific and technical contract linked to the ALBA II project, with a duration extending until at least 2032.