Software Systems Engineer

Diamond Light Source; South Oxfordshire; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research facility in the UK is seeking Software Systems Engineers to join their Beamline Controls Group. The successful candidates will work alongside world-class scientists to develop and support distributed control systems for advanced photon beamlines. The role involves working with technologies like C/C++, Python, and embedded systems. The facility offers a rich benefits package, including 26 days of leave and flexible working hours.

Benefits

26 days of annual leave

Flexible working hours

On-site nursery and sports facilities

Defined benefit pension scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in full Software Development Lifecycle.
• Proficiency in modern high-level programming languages.
• Understanding of good software design principles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and support distributed control systems for photon beamlines.
• Gather requirements and design software solutions.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers on projects.

Skills

Software Development Lifecycle

C/C++

Python

Embedded Systems

Linux

Robotics

IoT

Education

Degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Kubernetes

Continuous Integration/Deployment

FPGAs

Job description

We currently have an opportunity for Software Systems Engineers to join our Beamline Controls Group. The successful engineers will work in a research-focused environment alongside world-leading scientists and professional engineers to address technically challenging problems as we deliver new beamlines for Diamond-II.

The accelerators and photon beamlines are controlled through a distributed, heterogeneous computing environment, using embedded systems for direct control of the instrumentation, together with Linux workstations for the operator interfaces. These systems make extensive use of open-source software, including the EPICS Distributed Control System toolkit. The distributed control systems encompass technical domains such as motion control, instrumentation, robotics, automation, and data acquisition.

You will contribute to the development and support of distributed control systems for Diamond’s photon beamlines and experimental stations. This includes requirements gathering, software design, development, documentation, and commissioning new solutions.

You will work closely with scientists, engineers, and technicians designing, building, and operating the photon beamlines.

Software applications and services are typically implemented in languages such as C, C++, and Python, as well as domain-specific languages for automation, motion control, and robotics. You will have the opportunity to work as part of the Group's Core Development Team, developing software to control and synchronize experiments for Diamond-II, supporting science on all Beamlines from hardware to experiment-enabling scanning services. This diverse stack offers opportunities to work with a range of technologies:

• Containers and Kubernetes
• Hardware-triggered synchronization using FPGAs
• Continuous integration and deployment
• High-speed detector support
• Robot kinematics and route planning

About You

You will be qualified to degree level or demonstrate significant equivalent experience, with experience in the full Software Development Lifecycle, using a modern high-level language, and an understanding of good software design principles and usability considerations.

You should have experience with the technologies and programming languages mentioned above, ideally with some experience interfacing hardware and software, such as IoT, Robotics, or other Instrumentation and Automation systems.

Experience working with large and complex codebases would be advantageous, as would experience with application development on Linux OS and real-time systems.

Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package supporting work/life balance, including 26 days of annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 volunteering days annually, and flexible working hours. We also provide a defined benefit pension scheme, on-site amenities like a nursery, cafes, a restaurant, and sports facilities. A relocation allowance may be available where applicable.