Controls System Engineer

Forschungszentrum Jülich; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 45.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A German research center is seeking a candidate for a role involving system design and implementation for X-ray beamlines, aimed at chemical hydrogen storage research. The ideal applicant holds a degree in a relevant field and possesses hands-on SPS/PLC experience and programming skills. Collaboration with global research facilities and a commitment to innovative experiments is essential. This position offers a competitive salary, annual leave, and opportunities for personal development.

Leistungen

Attractive salary based on qualifications

Company pension scheme

30 days annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifikationen

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in physics, electrical engineering, control systems engineering, mechatronics, or a related discipline.
• Solid knowledge and hands-on experience with SPS/PLC systems and automation.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols.

Aufgaben

• System design for in-house X-ray beamline investigation.
• Development of algorithms for automation of experiments.
• Collaboration with synchrotron groups for experiment design.

Kenntnisse

Hands-on experience with SPS/PLC systems

Control engineering

Programming (Python, C/C++)

Fluent in English

Independent and self-motivated

Ausbildung

Bachelor or Master’s degree in relevant field

Tools

EPICS

Tango

Jobbeschreibung

Overview

Organisation/Company: Forschungszentrum Jülich

Country: Germany

Application Deadline: 11 Oct 2025 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract: To be defined

Job Status: Other

Research Field: Recognised Researcher (R2); Established Researcher (R3)

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Overview

Area of research: Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Responsibilities

• System design and implementation for an in-house X-ray beamline for long-term operando investigation of chemical hydrogen storage reactors
• Modeling and simulation of the beamline to analyze and optimize system behavior before physical implementation
• Development of algorithms and control software for full automation of long-term and high-throughput operando experiments
• Implementation, operation, and optimization of SPS- and PLC-based control systems for experimental equipment and beamline instrumentation
• Integration of hardware and software interfaces (motors, detectors, sensors, sample environments) into a unified control system
• Testing, troubleshooting, and ensuring reliability of automated beamline operations under extended deployment conditions
• Design and implementation of data acquisition workflows to ensure reliable storage, transfer, and handling of large experimental datasets in real time
• Development of online analysis and monitoring tools to provide rapid feedback during experiments, enabling automated decision-making and system optimization
• Close collaboration with synchrotron groups and in-house scientists for design, commissioning, and operation of experiments
• Collaboration with the INW-1 machine learning team on data handling, online analysis, design of experiments (DoE), and data categorization to enable efficient and automated evaluation of operando experiments
• Collaboration with other groups, in particular at INW and Forschungszentrum Jülich
• Participation in extended visits to synchrotron facilities (DESY, ESRF, or similar large-scale research facilities)
• Support in establishing the institute's research infrastructure and laboratory operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in physics, electrical engineering, control systems engineering, mechatronics, or a related discipline
• A doctoral degree would be considered an advantage, but candidates with strong practical experience are equally encouraged to apply
• Solid knowledge and hands-on experience with SPS/PLC systems, automation, and control engineering
• Experience in control and instrumentation of large-scale facilities, ideally synchrotron/FEL/neutron instrumentation or comparable complex systems
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (e.g., OPC UA, Modbus, Profibus, EtherCAT)
• Experience with programming and scripting languages (ideally Python, C/C++, or similar) for system integration and automation
• Knowledge of data acquisition and experimental control frameworks (EPICS, Tango, or similar)
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Very independent and self-motivated way of working but also excellent teamwork skills
• High motivation to take on responsibility, ensure system reliability, and develop own research ideas
• Willingness for regular business trips and extended stays at partner facilities

Our Offer

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• FAIR REMUNERATION: Depending on your existing qualifications and the tasks assigned to you, you will be classified in pay grade 10-11 or 13 of the TVöD-Bund (Collective Agreement for the Public Service). All information on the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website: go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed. The monthly salaries in euros can be found here: go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed.entgelt
• ADDITIONAL BENEFITS: Attractive additional services such as a company pension scheme with employer contribution. In addition to your basic salary, you will receive an annual bonus and capital-forming benefits
• PERSPECTIVE: After a two-year fixed-term contract, our goal is to hire you on a permanent basis.
• ANNUAL LEAVE: 30 days of annual leave plus additional days off (e.g. between Christmas and New Year’s Day)
• WORK-LIFE-BALANCE: Flexible working arrangements (including remote working) are generally possible upon agreement and in line with upcoming tasks and on-site appointments
• FLEXIBILITY: Flexible working time models, including options close to full-time, to tailor your working hours. For more information, visit: go.fzj.de/near-full-time
• KNOWLEDGE & FURTHER TRAINING: Targeted and individual development support
• SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEES: Our International Advisory Service helps international employees get started

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have more to offer: go.fzj.de/benefits

Place of employment: Brainergy Park Jülich

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and are committed to equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential. Further information on diversity and equal opportunities: go.fzj.de/equality

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over €5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.