Mechanical Design Engineer

Located on the Paris-Saclay plateau, about 20 kilometers from the French capital, the SOLEIL synchrotron is one of France’s leading research infrastructures. Since entering operation in 2008, it has served both national and international scientific communities. Research conducted at SOLEIL spans a wide range of scientific and industrial fields (physics, biology, chemistry, materials science, environmental science, Earth sciences, and cultural and natural heritage), addressing major societal challenges. Experiments carried out on the beamlines rely on the use of synchrotron light produced by electrons accelerated to speeds close to that of light within a storage ring. SOLEIL operates under the joint supervision of the CNRS and the CEA, and offers its staff a dynamic, innovative, multidisciplinary, and international working environment.

Based on a 2.75 GeV source, SOLEIL operates 29 beamlines covering a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum, from infrared to hard X-rays. SOLEIL’s multidisciplinary scientific program encompasses life sciences, chemistry, physics, materials science, Earth and environmental sciences, as well as heritage science. It is supported by state-of-the-art developments in instrumentation. International users account for approximately 25% of the SOLEIL user community.

At the forefront of technology, SOLEIL II is an ambitious project designed to provide new opportunities for scientific and industrial research. SOLEIL II consists of a major upgrade of the existing infrastructure and aims to significantly improve the performance of the electron accelerators and beamlines. It is designed to address current and future societal challenges, particularly in areas such as advanced materials research, energy and sustainable development, health and well-being, and the environment. Construction work for the SOLEIL II project began in 2024, marking the start of a new phase of development and technological innovation. At the same time, operation of the existing facility is expected to continue until may 2029. The commissioning of SOLEIL II is scheduled for 2030, followed by a gradual ramp-up phase extending through 2035.

I.Context and mission

This job description is not exhaustive. It covers the main responsibilities of the position and may evolve over time.

This position is part of the Mechanical Engineering group, within the Accelerators and Engineering division.

Group description:

The Mechanical Engineering group currently comprises 9 engineers, 6 design draughtspersons, 4 workshop technicians, one workshop supervisor and one group leader. The group is responsible for all mechanical aspects related to the definition, design and production of equipment dedicated to synchrotron radiation production and operation, as well as the management of the drawings associated with these components.

Your mission:

Manage projects from definition and design through to manufacturing and commissioning of complex, specialized experimental devices for the SOLEIL synchrotron's beamlines and accelerators.

II.Responsibilities and tasks

Project design development:

  • Lead and monitor the mechanical aspects of scientific instrumentation projects, from the study phase through to commissioning;
  • Develop the project in line with the specifications defined by the requester;
  • Define the resources required (human, technical, financial, scheduling) for the successful execution of the project and adjust resources as needed;
  • Lead meetings with the project team to make decisions and allocate resources according to the various constraints;
  • Advise the project team on mechanical technical aspects;
  • Assess risks that may arise during project execution.

Project coordinating:

  • Supervise and coordinate the work of internal and/or external contributors (service providers, subcontractors) as part of the mechanical study;
  • Provide functional and technical support throughout the project to the teams responsible for implementation;
  • Monitor and control project progress, schedule execution and budget compliance through regular reviews with all partners: progress presentations, milestone validation, etc.

Contribution to the development of commercial proposals and contract follow-up:

  • Analyze the requester's needs and expectations in order to propose suitable technical and financial solutions;
  • Contribute to the project's feasibility studies, by drafting specifications and maintenance contracts;
  • Present and justify the technical choices made for the project to the requester.

Identifying new opportunities:

  • Carry out technical and financial analysis;
  • Take part in conferences or trade shows related to the company's field of activity.

III.Candidate profile

  • You hold an engineering degree in mechanics, with a specialization in design;
  • You have at least 7 years of professional experience in similar fields, ideally in precision mechanics;
  • You have a solid command of industrial drawing principles, manufacturing processes and materials;
  • You are proficient in an advanced 3D CAD software package;
  • You are able to perform structural and thermal sizing calculations using finite element analysis software;
  • You have a good command of technical English/French;
  • You are recognized for your autonomy and organizational skills;
  • You enjoy teamwork and contribute to a good working atmosphere.