Engineering the Future: Career Opportunities at the Department of Energy

The Department of Energy (DOE) is currently accepting applications for an Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Physical Scientist position at the SLAC Site Office in Menlo Park, California. This high-level role is ideal for experienced professionals looking to make a significant impact on national scientific infrastructure. As a Federal Project Director, you will manage complex capital asset projects that support world-class research.

Job Responsibilities

As a core member of the SSO team, your duties will include:

Leading the full project lifecycle, from initial design to final close-out.
Managing budgets, technical specifications, and project execution plans.
Collaborating with contractors and multidisciplinary teams to resolve technical disputes.
Presenting project progress reports to senior leadership and regulatory bodies.

Comparison: GS-13 vs GS-14 Responsibilities

Feature	GS-13 Level	GS-14 Level
Project Oversight	Coordinating projects	Leading major project initiatives
Technical Authority	Collaborative contributor	Primary technical advisor
Communication	Reporting to managers	Briefing senior leadership & regulators

Requirements

Candidates must possess a degree in engineering or a physical science with at least 24 semester hours in relevant subjects. You must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 (for GS-13) or GS-13 (for GS-14) level in project management or engineering.

Salary Overview

This position offers a highly competitive federal salary ranging from $133,060 to $197,200 annually, depending on experience and grade level.

Benefits

Employees of the Department of Energy enjoy a robust suite of benefits, including:

Health and dental insurance programs.
Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
Paid annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays.
Professional growth opportunities.

Application Tips

Ensure your resume clearly articulates your project management experience. Because this is a competitive federal role, use precise language that aligns with the specialized experience requirements mentioned in the announcement.

If you are a driven engineering or science professional ready to oversee capital projects that advance American innovation, this position at the SLAC Site Office is the perfect next step in your career.

Why This Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Physical Scientist Job Matters

Join the Department of Energy as a Federal Project Director and drive the future of world-class research at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Physical Scientist Job Overview

The SLAC Site Office (SSO) within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking a skilled Interdisciplinary General Engineer or Physical Scientist to provide federal oversight for high-impact capital asset and infrastructure projects. Based in Menlo Park, California, you will oversee the complete project lifecycle—from design and construction to final close-out—ensuring compliance with DOE standards and supporting groundbreaking research in photon science and high-energy physics.

Requirements for Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Physical Scientist

U.S. Citizenship
Bachelor's degree in engineering or a physical science field with at least 24 semester hours in relevant science/engineering disciplines.
One year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (GS-12 for GS-13; GS-13 for GS-14).
Ability to obtain and maintain a Moderate Risk security clearance.
Submission of official college transcripts.
Completion of online self-assessment and application via USAJOBS.

Preferred Qualifications for Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Physical Scientist

Proven experience in Federal Project Management (FPD) or similar leadership roles.
Expertise in managing facility construction, utility upgrades, or major technical equipment installations.
Strong technical writing skills for Statements of Work (SOWs) and project execution plans.
Experience in negotiating with multidisciplinary teams and external contractors.
Proficiency in developing and managing technical budgets and cost-benefit analyses.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive Federal Salary
✓Comprehensive Health Insurance options
✓Federal Retirement Programs (FERS)
✓Paid vacation and sick leave
✓Opportunities for professional development and training
✓Work-life balance initiatives

💡 How to Apply Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Physical Scientist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Physical Scientist Job

Review the full job announcement carefully.
Prepare a resume documenting relevant experience, including dates, hours worked, and salary.
Gather your educational transcripts.
Create or update your USAJOBS profile.
Submit your application and required documents online before the deadline.
Monitor your email for status updates.

💡 General Tips

Use clear, professional fonts like Arial or Calibri.
Keep your resume to a maximum of 2 pages.
Save your documents in PDF format to preserve formatting.
Clearly label your experience and ensure all duties are detailed.
Submit well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Double-check that all required documentation is attached before submitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary role of this position?

You will serve as a Federal Project Director overseeing the design, construction, and close-out of infrastructure projects at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

Is a security clearance required?

This position is classified as Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk, so while a full security clearance may not be 'required' initially, you must be able to pass suitability and fitness assessments.

Can I substitute education for experience?

No, at the GS-13 and GS-14 levels, there is no substitution of education for the required specialized professional experience.

Can I apply if I do not have a degree in Engineering?

*A: You may qualify if your degree is in a related physical science and you meet the credit hour requirements listed in the announcement.*

Is telework available?

*A: Please refer to the specific policy information on telework.gov, as availability is subject to agency guidelines.*

Job from Department Of Energy - Agency Wide

The Office of Science-SLAC Site Office (SSO) is responsible for managing the Department of Energy's performance-based contract with Stanford University. The SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is a global leader in high-energy physics and photon science. Joining the DOE means becoming part of an organization consistently ranked as a top employer for veterans and professionals alike.