Controls Systems Engineer (f/m/d)

Fusion Energy Base; Darmstadt; Hybrid; EUR 70.000 - 100.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Focused Energy is seeking a Control Systems Engineer in Hessen to design and deliver PLC-based control subsystems for cutting-edge laser fusion experiments. You will collaborate with scientists and engineers to gather requirements and iterate solutions, and own the control for vacuum, pneumatics, and cooling plant.

This role involves occasional travel to our Austin site and hybrid work arrangements. You should have 5+ years in plant control systems with strong PLC experience, IEC 61131-3,

Qualifikationen

• Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Control/Automation, Mechatronics/Robotics.
• 5+ years in plant control systems, automation, or complex experiments with PLCs.
• Proficient in PLC programming in Structured Text (IEC 61131-3).
• Knowledge of SCADA systems and HMIs; experience delivering alarms, logging, and data visualization.
• Reading wiring diagrams and P&IDs; ability to collaborate with electrical/mechanical teams.
• Familiarity with EtherCAT, OPC UA, and Modbus TCP.
• Clear English communication; comfortable in hybrid, international teams; proactive.
• Hands-on hardware/software integration with strong debugging/fault-finding track record.

Aufgaben

• Lead design and development of PLC-based control subsystems for experimental setups.
• Own integration and control of vacuum, pneumatics, and cooling plant infrastructure.
• Develop control software for Beckhoff TwinCAT and IEC 61131-3.
• Commission complex experimental equipment with field debugging and fault-finding.
• Specify and implement SCADA/HMI systems with alarms and data acquisition.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to standards and solution architecture.

Kenntnisse

PLC programming

SCADA/HMI

Electrical diagrams

Industrial networks

Safety standards

English communication

Hardware integration

Programming languages

LabVIEW

NI hardware

FPGAs/RTOS

Ausbildung

Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Control/Automation, Mechatronics/Robotics

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Ignition

OPC UA

Tango

WinCC

FactoryTalk

AVEVA

Git

Jobbeschreibung

About Focused Energy

Focused Energy is an international deep-tech company based in Germany and the US, working to commercialize laser-driven nuclear fusion. Our mission is to provide clean, safe, and virtually unlimited energy to the world. We are rapidly scaling and looking for talented individuals who thrive in building clarity and structure within fast-growing environments. Join us as a Control Systems Engineer and help to provide the clean energy of the future. In this role, you will lead the design and delivery of critical control systems across our experimental and production environments in Germany and the USA, and work closely with a passionate, cross-functional team.

About the Role

You will report to the Controls Engineering Lead and join a small, collaborative team of 3-5 engineers. The role is hybrid, with the expectation of occasional travel to our Austin, TX site. Working hours follow standard business schedules, and on-call needs are minimal and largely confined to regular working hours.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the design and development of PLC-based control subsystems, supporting cutting-edge laser fusion technologies, and work in collaboration with scientists and engineers to gather requirements and iterate solutions.
• Own the integration and control systems for critical experiment support infrastructure such as vacuum, pneumatics, and cooling plant.
• Develop control software for modern PLCs such as Beckhoff TwinCAT in Structured Text (IEC 61131-3) for machine safety and process control systems.
• Commission complex experimental equipment together with scientists and engineers, including field debugging and systematic fault-finding of cutting-edge technology.
• Specify and implement SCADA systems and HMIs, including alarms, logging, data acquisition, and database integration.
• Contribute to team standards and solution architecture, and mentor junior engineers through design reviews and guidance.

Who You Are

• Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Control/Automation, Mechatronics/Robotics, Physics or similar, with a focus on PLC-based control, embedded or real-time systems.
• 5+ years in plant control systems, factory automation, embedded software, or complex scientific experimental work with significant PLC-based elements.
• Proficient in PLC programming in Structured Text (IEC 61131-3) following good software engineering practice, including modularization, version control (e.g. Git), and unit testing.
• Knowledge of SCADA systems (e.g. Ignition, EPICS, Tango, WinCC, FactoryTalk, AVEVA) and hands-on experience of delivering HMIs to stakeholders, including alarm and error handling, status and data visualization.
• Proficient in reading electrical wiring diagrams and P&IDs, collaborating with electrical and mechanical engineering teams to deliver physical systems.
• Familiarity with industrial networking and fieldbus protocols such as EtherCAT, OPC UA, and Modbus TCP.
• Familiarity with risk assessment processes and relevant safety standards (e.g. ISA 84, IEC 61508).
• Clear communicator in English, comfortable working in hybrid and international cross-site teams, self-organized and proactive, comfortable leading technical discussions and decisions.
• Practical, hands-on approach with proven experience in hardware/software integration, and a strong track record in debugging and fault-finding on real systems.

Desirable Skills and Knowledge

• Beckhoff PLCs and TwinCAT.
• DDS (Data Distribution Service) protocol, related tools and utilities.
• OPC UA protocol, related tools and utilities.
• Design of vacuum control systems.
• Designing control cabinet hardware to EU standards (IEC 60204-1).
• Safety-critical systems design: safety relays, SIL determination, LOPA, risk assessment.
• Proficiency in at least one higher-level language (LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++).
• Higher LabVIEW qualifications (CLD, CLED, CLA) and NI hardware experience (PXIe, cRIO).
• Other non-PLC embedded or real-time systems (FPGAs, RTOS, microcontrollers, robotics).
• Experience working on complex scientific equipment or large-scale research facilities.
• Image processing and machine vision, motion control and robotics.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.