The UK’s national synchrotron science facility, Diamond Light Source, conducts world-class research in virtually all fields of science. Located 20 minutes from Oxford, it sits in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers rewarding career opportunities.

The role is split 50:50 between Software Systems and Motion Systems.

The Motion Systems responsibilities will include the design, development, commissioning and operational support of motion systems. The Software Systems Engineer responsibilities will include the design, development, commissioning and operational support of controls systems. Both roles support the design, development and operation of the accelerators and/or beamlines on the Diamond Synchrotron Light source.

Software Systems

• Design and develop the Control Systems;
• Commission and diagnose faults in installed Control Systems;
• Provide operational support and analysis of installed Control Systems;
• Interface with internal customers, including Engineers and Scientists, at all stages of the development life cycle to, for example, develop requirements, track project progress, and verify operation of Control Systems;
• Contribute to the processes and associated software development to support the design of Control Systems throughout Diamond;
• Support of contractors and suppliers of turn-key Control Systems;

Motion Systems

• Provide operational support to the installed base of motion systems, in responding to operational faults and requests for development; 
• Provide advice and support to electrical and mechanical designers and project engineers on the specification of new motion systems;
• Undertake the commission of new motion control systems include; verification of signals, tuning of control loops, and validation of logic for sequencing and hardware protection;
• Undertake the characterisation and measurement of motion control systems, to establish the specified performance;
• Design and implementing logic in motion controllers or PLCs to ensure the correct operation of motion systems;
• Development of kinematic transforms (Mathematical mappings from one coordinate system into another) for motion systems;  
• Provide support of contractors and suppliers of equipment with motion systems as technical advice and in the undertaking acceptance tests;
• Contribute to the processes and associated development to support the design of motion systems throughout Diamond;

Common

• Work closely with beamline project teams and beamline staff on defining the requirements and the specification;
• Provide documentation on work undertaken and reports on progress on a periodic basis;
• Maintain and develop technical expertise in these areas;
• Interfacing to internal customers including Engineers and Scientists in Diamond;

• Degree level qualification in Mechatronics, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Computer Science or related discipline;
• Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively, both orally and written;
• Ability to solve technical problems, evaluating alternative courses of action and innovating where necessary;
• Demonstrate self-motivation and a willingness to take responsibility;
• Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team;
• Demonstrate ability to work effectively alone and without direct supervision;
• Experience in relevant role with industrial or scientific control systems;
• Relevant experience in the software design and/or programming of industrial or scientific systems; 
• Experience in developing software in a real time environment;
• Knowledge and experience of developing in a Unix environment;
• Experience with Stepper, Servo drives and encoders;
• Experience of commissioning and fault finding electronic systems;
• Knowledge of communication protocols, such as RS232/422/485 and experience in fault finding;
• Experience in managing outside contracts;
• Be willing to work overtime at unsociable hours as required;
• Be willing to travel in the UK and abroad, including occasional periods away from home;
• Be prepared to undertake further training;
• Ability to work in restricted or confined spaces.

• Demonstrate an understanding of staff supervision;
• Demonstrate an understanding of project planning and management;
• Knowledge and experience in programming in C;
• Experience of using software testing and debugging tools effectively and developing automated test harnesses;
• Knowledge and experience of developing with a source code control and structured release environment;
• Knowledge and experience of Linux on PC’s;
• Knowledge and experience with Scripting Languages;
• Knowledge of networking;
• An understanding of logic, PLC operation and programming;
• Understanding of the function and configuration of PID control loops;
• An appreciation of the parameters affecting choice and operation of different drives;
• An understanding of basis kinematic transforms.