Job Title Senior Software Systems Engineer Photon Beamlines
Job Reference DIA0811/SB
Post Type
Division Technical
Salary information Competitive Salary
Application deadline Open Vacancy


Job Description


The Diamond synchrotron light source is the largest scientific facility to be built in the UK for over thirty years. The facility consists of three accelerators which provide high brightness photon beams through beamlines to experimental stations.  Diamond is now operational with an initial complement of 22 experimental stations and a further phase  in design and construction. 

Photon beamlines are required to deliver ultra stable x-ray beams from the Diamond storage ring to the experimental samples.  They require extensive control of x-ray optical components and other instrumentation to control the photon beam profile and position.

Control systems for the photon beamlines are realised as a distributed, heterogeneous computing environment, using embedded systems running the VxWorks operating system for direct control of the x-ray optical components and other instrumentation, together with Linux workstations for the operator interfaces. Most of the VxWorks applications are coded in C or built using the EPICS control system toolkit, and the Linux applications use a combination of C, Java and scripting languages.

As a Software Systems Engineer working on the photon beamlines your task will be to work closely with a team of scientists and engineers to specify and develop software to deliver ultra stable x-ray beams from the Diamond storage ring to the experimental sample. 

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Work with scientists and engineers on the overall design and specification for the beamline control systems.
  • Work as part of a small team to design, implement, test and document control software for the photon beamlines.
  • Provide support for the commissioning of photon beamline control systems.
  • Provides operational support and maintenance of software for existing systems, including attention and response to fault reports when appropriate.
  • Personal training and development.

Qualification & Experience - Essential

  • Honours degree in physics, electronic engineering, computer science or equivalent other degree, BTEC HNC/HND and experience.
  • Significant experience in the software design and/or programming of industrial or scientific systems.
  • Knowledge and experience in programming in C.
  • Experience in developing software in a real time distributed control environment.
  • Knowledge and experience of developing in a Unix environment.
  • Knowledge and experience of developing with a source code control and structured release environment.
  • Experience of using software testing and debugging tools effectively and developing automated test harnesses.
  • 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.
  • 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 of EPICS. 
     

Qualification & Experience - Desirable

  • Knowledge and experience of VME or embedded systems.
  • Knowledge and experience of Linux on PC’s.
  • Knowledge and experience with Scripting Languages.
  • Knowledge of Motion control.
  • Knowledge of networking.
  • Knowledge of VxWorks.
  • Knowledge and experience in programming in Java.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of staff supervision. 
  • Demonstrate an understanding of project planning and management.

Further Information

Applying for employment

For further details on applying for employment at Diamond, please visit our 'Application Form' page.

Appointments will be made depending on the skills and experience of the candidate. Electronic Diamond application forms in MS-Word are preferred. These should be emailed to recruitment@diamond.ac.uk



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