Automation engineer - h/f

Institut Laue-Langevin; Grenoble; Hybrid; EUR 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Home working

Expatriation allowance

Excellent health cover

Relocation assistance

Annual productivity bonus

Language courses for you and partner

Public transport subsidies

Staff canteen

Holiday and cultural/sport activities

Job summary

Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) invites applications for a position in the Services for Advanced Neutron Environments (SANE) team in Grenoble. The role focuses on developing, maintaining and commissioning sample environment controllers for neutron instruments.

You will work on PLC/HMI programming for high-temperature furnaces, gas systems and cryostat test benches, while exploring ML applications for control systems.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (Level 7) in Automation Engineering; several years of HMI/PLC development experience with EXOR and Schneider tools.
• Experience in systems automation and ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Strong team player with good analytical skills and involvement from design to commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Develop and commission new controllers for sample environment systems.
• Program and commission power supply panels for high-temperature furnaces and related equipment.
• Investigate applying machine learning to control systems and predictive maintenance.
• Contribute across project stages from design through to commissioning.

Skills

EXOR HMI

Schneider PLC

Automation engineering

Team collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

Master’s degree in Automation Engineering (Level 7)

Tools

Schneider development tools

Job description

The ILL is an international research facility at the forefront of neutron science and technology. Its High-Flux Nuclear Reactor delivers the world’s most intense neutron beams to a suite of over 40 scientific instruments . Every year, some 1800 international researchers visit the ILL to carry out cutting-edge experiments across a range of scientific disciplines, driving innovation in the fields of health, energy, the environment and quantum materials. The ILL is also involved in the production of radioisotopes for medical applications. The ILL employs over 500 staff from 25 different countries, in a diversity of careers and a multicultural and inclusive environment.

The Science Division at ILL brings together close to 200 scientists, engineers, and technicians who work collaboratively to provide users with advanced experimental capabilities and expert scientific support. The DS is responsible by operating world-class neutron scattering instruments, supporting an international user community, conducting cutting-edge research, and developing new experimental techniques. In addition, the division drives the development of next-generation instrumentation and computational tools, fosters international collaborations, and contributes to advanced training.

About the position

The ILL’s Services for Advanced Neutron Environments (SANE) is responsible for the development, maintenance and user support of neutron instruments. In order to maintain our leadership position and ensure a high standard of service, we wish to modernise and improve the sample environment controllers used on the neutron beams.

You will join the team of the Services for Advanced Neutron Environments and will contribute to the development and commissioning of new controllers:

• PLC and HMI programming and commissioning of:
  • power supply panels for 1100°C and 1600°C furnaces
  • 2000-bar helium pressure generators
  • cryostat test benches
• Investigation of the application of machine learning to control systems and predictive maintenance.

Desired profile

• You hold a Level 7 qualification (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Automation Engineering, with several years’ experience using human-machine interface (EXOR) and PLC (Schneider) development tools.
• You are passionate about systems automation, are keen to work in a multicultural environment, and enjoy tackling technical challenges.
• You are a strong team player and have good analytical skills.
• You are keen to be involved in every stage of a project, from the design phase through to commissioning.

Application requirements

Required document(s)

Position characteristics

Offer info

Published on 10/22/2026 Fixed-term contract - 36 months Full time Beginner accepted License not required Master's degree Reference 26/49

To be defined according to profile

As soon as possible

Quality of life - This position is based in Grenoble, a hub for research and technology, ideally located in the heart of the French Alps (just 3 hours from Paris/Provence by train, 1 hour from Lyon international airport and 1 ½ hours from Geneva). It is important for us that our staff achieve a healthy work-life balance. We therefore offer home working (under certain conditions), generous annual paid leave entitlement and a host of other benefits that you will discover when you arrive!

Prospects - We guarantee you a secure 'specified-purpose' fixed-term position based in Grenoble in a multicultural scientific environment.

Benefits - We offer generous social benefits (expatriation allowance, excellent health cover), moving and relocation assistance (under certain conditions) and an annual productivity bonus. We also offer language courses for you and your partner and subsidies for the use of public transport and the staff canteen, as well as for holidays and a variety of cultural and sports activities. For more information, please visit https://www.ill.eu/careers/working-at-the-ill/employment-conditions.INDILL