Careers at LIGO Laboratory
Current Vacancies
At this time, LIGO has a number of exciting open positions in support of current LIGO operations and R&D, developing the next generation of gravitational wave detectors, and public outreach. Included in the listings below are two vacuum positions and an electrical engineering lead (@LHO), a mechanical designer/drafter, electronics engineer, property and logistics expert, and a senior optical scientist (@Caltech), and a rare opportunity to lead one of LIGO’s outreach teams (@LLO). The vacuum positions at LIGO Hanford, in particular, present a great opportunity for two individuals to join the LIGO family at an important crossroads between current and future gravitational-wave observatories.
A brief description of each job is provided below. Clicking on a link for any job will redirect you to its posting with full description and instructions for applying. All jobs are located on-site, unless otherwise indicated.
For more information about Postdoctoral opportunities at LIGO Laboratory, visit the Postdoctoral Positions page.
LIGO Hanford Observatory
Creating and maintaining pristine vacuum systems is essential to not only current gravitational wave observatories like LIGO but also as we look to future GW observatories like Cosmic Explorer. In support of this effort, LIGO Laboratory has two open positions for individuals with vacuum experience and related skills. Both of these positions are in-person roles located in Hanford, Washington.
Note: Candidates who believe themselves eligible are encouraged to apply for both positions.
Vacuum Lead: LIGO Laboratory seeks a highly motivated and skilled LHO Vacuum Equipment Group Leader to join its team. In this role, you will:
- Maintain the Observatory vacuum system and support facilities; initiate, plan and execute changes to this system; monitor system performance.
- Collaborate with research scientists and engineers to optimize UHV performance of in-vacuo scientific apparatus and to minimize risks of contamination.
LIGO Vacuum Engineer - CEBEX: LIGO Laboratory seeks a highly motivated, skilled and experienced vacuum engineer with a strong background in both chemistry and solid state physics as they apply to UHV systems. In this role you will:
- Be a key member of the team who designs the planned 120m demonstration tube.
- Develop systems requirements / specifications and statements of work for procurement of necessary materials.
Also at LIGO Hanford Observatory:
Electrical Engineering Lead: The Electrical Engineering (EE) Lead is responsible for coordinating a small team of engineers and technicians in the design, testing, installation, and maintenance of low noise analog/digital electronics.
LIGO Livingston Observatory
No positions available at this time.
LIGO Caltech
Research Engineer: As a Research Engineer in the LIGO Laboratory, you will have the opportunity to apply your skills to designing and implementing technologies that increase LIGO detector sensitivity and astrophysical reach, and to developing future interferometric detectors of the next decades. This position focuses on the development and characterization of the extremely high performance systems used within LIGO interferometers.
Senior Scientist: LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilled Senior Scientist to join its team with experience in research, design and problem solving in a collaborative environment. Given how important core optics and optical coatings are for LIGO today and LIGO tomorrow this is an important position and offers the individual an important role within LIGO Lab.
Electronics Engineer: This engineer will work hands-on to develop, design, procure, build, and test electronics and electronic systems hardware, from prototype to production for many systems in the LIGO detectors. This position is ideal for an electronics engineer with a broad curiosity of engineering disciplines, enabling them to expand their skillset beyond pure electronics and gain a working knowledge of optical and mechanical systems.
Senior Property and Logistics Administrator: The work of the Property and Logistics Administrator directly enables LIGO's research mission, and the person in this seat will see the connection between their daily efforts and discoveries that have reshaped our understanding of the universe.
LIGO MIT
No open LIGO Laboratory positions at this time
Caltech Notices of Intent can be found here.
If you are interested in working for LIGO at other collaborating universities, check your preferred partner-institution's job postings. For a list of collaborating institutions, see LSC Member Institutions.
