Lead Control & Interlock Systems Engineer

Stanford University; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a Control and Interlock Systems Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of machine protection interlock systems for LCLS upgrades and operations.

You will work with Beckhoff TwinCAT PLCs, EPICS, and distributed controls, collaborating across engineering, physics, and operations to deliver safe, reliable controls for beam delivery and instrumentation.

Qualifications

• Five+ years designing PLC-based interlock systems in scientific/industrial settings.
• Experience with IEC 61131-3 languages and Structured Text.
• Experience integrating PLCs with EPICS/OPC UA/Modbus or similar.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain machine protection interlock systems.
• Create specifications, design docs, test plans, and commissioning plans.
• Design architectures using Beckhoff TwinCAT PLCs, EPICS, and industrial networks.
• Integrate controls with supervisory systems, instrumentation, and facility infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot and implement improvements for reliability and maintainability.
• Produce engineering docs and operating procedures.
• Lead upgrades and new facility projects.
• Evaluate new automation technologies and tools.
• Collaborate across engineers, scientists, technicians, and vendors.
• Provide technical leadership for PLC-based and distributed controls.

Skills

Beckhoff TwinCAT PLCs

EPICS integration

Industrial networking

IEC 61131-3 Structured Text

Git version control

PLC-based interlock systems

Electrical schematics

Python / C++

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS / engineering or related

Five years of PLC interlock design/commissioning experience

Advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT

EPICS

OPC UA

Git

Linux

Job description

Stanford University’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a Control and Interlock Systems Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of machine protection interlock systems for LCLS upgrades and operations.

You will work with Beckhoff TwinCAT PLCs, EPICS, and distributed controls, collaborating across engineering, physics, and operations to deliver safe, reliable controls for beam delivery and instrumentation.