EPICS Control System Engineer

Lumitron Technologies Inc.; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Job summary

Lumitron Technologies invites applications for a software-focused Controls System Engineer in Irvine, CA. You will architect, develop, test, and deploy a scalable EPICS-based control system for a 0.25 GeV electron LINAC prototype, interfacing with RF, LLRF, diagnostics, and beam instrumentation.

The ideal candidate has 4–6 years of experience, a Ph.D. or Master’s in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science, and strong C++, Python, and Linux skills.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or closely related field.
• Hands-on experience with EPICS Base, IOCs, PVs, and EPICS databases.
• Experience developing or maintaining EPICS device support, drivers, and hardware interfaces.
• Strong programming in C, C++, Python, and Linux shell scripting.
• Strong Linux development, integration, and debugging experience.
• Experience with Ethernet, serial, Modbus, TCP/IP, vendor APIs, and custom protocols.
• Knowledge of accelerator physics, RF systems, or beam instrumentation is a plus; willingness to learn accelerator concepts.
• Strong written and verbal communication to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams at Lumiton Technologies in Irvine, California.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement the EPICS control-system framework for LINAC subsystems.
• Develop and maintain EPICS software, IOCs, device support, and drivers.
• Integrate and control LINAC subsystems, including beam optimization and stabilization.
• Develop operator interfaces and EPICS infrastructure, dashboards, alarms, and archiving.
• Support commissioning, troubleshooting, and performance analysis using real-time and archived LINAC data.
• Develop automation, maintain software quality, and document the control system with Python, shell scripting, Git, and AI-assisted tools.

Skills

EPICS

C++

Python

Linux

Team collaboration

Communication

AI-assisted development tools

Education

PhD or Master in Physics/EE/CS

Tools

EPICS Base

IOCs

Device support

PLCs

FPGAs

Embedded Linux

Git

Job description

Our Advanced Beam Physics Division is seeking a software-focused Controls System Engineer with 4–6 years of experience and strong knowledge of EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System), C++, and Python to help architect, develop, test, and deploy a scalable EPICS-based control system for a 0.25 GeV electron LINAC prototype supporting applications such as FLASH therapy and Compton-scattering X-ray medical imaging. The role will work closely with teams in low-level RF (LLRF), high-voltage modulators and high-power RF, electron beam physics, fiber-based photocathode UV lasers, and thermo-mechanical engineering to integrate accelerator subsystems, develop advanced feedback and optimization loops, and create a modular controls architecture that can transition from prototype systems to commercial units. The ideal candidate will also contribute to AI- and machine-learning-enabled beam optimization and system stabilization, use AI-assisted tools for software development and controls testing, and build practical accelerator-physics knowledge to enable a seamless interface between control-system software and machine performance.

Key Tasks

• Architect and implement the EPICS control-system framework for LINAC subsystems, including RF, magnets, vacuum, beam diagnostics, timing and synchronization, motion control, cooling, and utilities.
• Develop and maintain EPICS software, IOCs, device support, and drivers for accelerator hardware, PLCs, embedded controllers, power supplies, RF equipment, diagnostics, and custom instrumentation.
• Integrate and control LINAC subsystems, including beam optimization and stabilization, laser/RF synchronization, RF gun and photocathode systems, magnetic lattice, beam diagnostics, modulators, klystrons, and traveling-wave LINAC sections.
• Develop operator interfaces and EPICS infrastructure, including Phoebus/CS-Studio displays, alarms, archiving, autosave/restore, access control, system monitoring, and operational dashboards.
• Support commissioning, troubleshooting, and performance analysis by diagnosing hardware communications, IOC logic, timing, interlocks, PV behavior, and diagnostic data, while analyzing real-time and archived LINAC data.
• Develop automation, maintain software quality, and document the control system using Python, shell scripting, Git, testing, technical documentation, and AI-assisted development tools for coding, debugging, testing, and data analysis.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related technical field.
• Hands-on experience with EPICS Base, IOCs, process variables (PVs), and EPICS database records.
• Experience developing or maintaining EPICS device support, drivers, and hardware interfaces.
• Strong programming skills in C, C++, Python, and Linux shell scripting.
• Strong Linux development, integration, and debugging experience.
• Experience with hardware communication interfaces and protocols such as Ethernet, serial communication, Modbus, TCP/IP, vendor APIs, and custom protocols.
• Knowledge of accelerator physics, RF systems, or beam instrumentation is a plus; candidates with a strong controls/software background and willingness to learn accelerator concepts are encouraged to apply.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering and physics teams at Lumitron Technologies in Irvine, California.

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency with Python-based scientific and data-analysis tools, including NumPy, pandas, SciPy, matplotlib, Jupyter, and visualization/dashboard frameworks.
• Experience with accelerator, RF, LINAC, beamline, laser, vacuum, motion-control, or medical-device systems.
• Experience analyzing RF stability, beam transmission, pulse-to-pulse variation, beam-tuning data, fault logs, and cross-subsystem correlations.
• Familiarity with PLCs, FPGAs, RFSoC platforms, embedded Linux, and real-time control systems.
• Experience developing or supporting regulated, safety-critical, high-availability, or high-reliability systems is a plus.

• Industry competitive, full benefit package.