Interlock Systems Engineer for Mission-Critical Controls

Stanfordlivetickets; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a Control and Interlock Systems Engineer to lead interlock system development for major facility upgrades and operational improvements. You will join a multidisciplinary team designing, deploying, and commissioning machine protection interlock systems for LCLS projects at varying scales.

You will develop deep expertise in Beckhoff TwinCAT PLCs, EPICS integration, and distributed control architectures while collaborating with operations,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years designing, implementing, or supporting PLC-based interlock systems.
• Proficiency with IEC 61131-3 languages and Structured Text programming.
• Experience with distributed control systems, SCADA, and industrial networking.
• Ability to read and maintain electrical schematics and technical documentation.
• Experience using Git and software version control across teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain machine protection interlock systems and other mission-critical controls infrastructure.
• Develop system specifications, requirements, design docs, test procedures, and commissioning plans.
• Design and implement controls architectures using Beckhoff TwinCAT PLCs, EPICS, and related networks.
• Integrate controls with supervisory systems, operator interfaces, instrumentation, and facility infra.
• Diagnose issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement reliability improvements.
• Produce engineering documentation including architecture diagrams and operating procedures.
• Participate in controls upgrades, modernization, and new facility or instrument projects.
• Research, evaluate, and implement new automation and networking technologies.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, technicians, operators, vendors, and project teams.
• Provide technical leadership for PLC-based and distributed control systems.

Skills

PLC programming

Structured Text

Interlock design

Industrial networking

Git

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT PLCs

EPICS integration

Git

Linux

EPLAN/Visio

EtherCAT/Modbus/Industrial fieldbuses

Job description

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a Control and Interlock Systems Engineer to lead interlock system development for major facility upgrades and operational improvements. You will join a multidisciplinary team designing, deploying, and commissioning machine protection interlock systems for LCLS projects at varying scales.

You will develop deep expertise in Beckhoff TwinCAT PLCs, EPICS integration, and distributed control architectures while collaborating with operations,