Senior Motion Controls Engineer

Brookhaven National Laboratory; Ridge (NY); On-site; USD 109,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

Brookhaven National Laboratory seeks an experienced engineer to lead motion control development for NSLS‑II beamlines. The role involves defining standards, implementing controls for upgrades, and mentoring junior staff.

You will develop device drivers and interfaces for motion control instrumentation and collaborate with scientists and engineers across disciplines. The position requires a strong background in motion control, C/C++/Python, and Linux, with open‑source development practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related STEM field.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in motion control.
• Extensive programming experience in C, C++, or Python.
• Experience with open‑source development practices and version control.
• Proficiency with Linux operating system environments.
• Ability to gather requirements, design, test and document software.
• Strong communication and collaboration across diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of motion control strategy and standards.
• Deliver software and motion control solutions for beamlines.
• Implement motion control for accelerator and beamline upgrades.
• Mentor junior staff and foster cross‑team collaboration.
• Develop tools and services for NSLS‑II and troubleshoot issues.

Skills

Motion control technologies

C/C++/Python

Linux environment

Collaboration & communication

Open-source development practices

Education

Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Engineering, or related STEM discipline

Bachelor’s or higher in Computer Science, Engineering, or related STEM discipline with 10+ years experience

Tools

EPICS

TANGO

SCADA systems

Git/version control

Automated builds & testing

Job description

The National Synchrotron Light Source II is an X-ray light source used by visiting researchers around the world, spanning industry, academia, government, to advance our knowledge in a wide range of scientific disciplines such as life sciences, quantum materials, energy storage, advanced materials science, physics, chemistry, and biology. From batteries and microelectronics to drug design and future quantum computers, NSLS-II enables its growing research community to study materials with nanoscale resolution and exquisite sensitivity by providing cutting-edge capabilities. The Data Science and Systems Integration Division of the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) works collaboratively with scientific, engineering, and technical staff to enable continued operations and further develop experimental capabilities of the 30 and growing number of state-of-the-art synchrotron beamlines. The NSLS-II offers a large-scale scientific facility working environment, which combines the scope of a large industrial facility with the excitement and challenges of world-class research experiments.

Position Description

The National Synchrotron Light Source-II is seeking exceptional candidates for the Instrument and Controls group within the Data Science and Systems Integration (DSSI) Division to lead the development and implementation of advanced motion control. The candidate will develop facility standards, implement motion controls for new beamline constructions and upgrades, and mentor junior staff. The candidate will additionally develop device drivers and graphical interfaces for motion controls instrumentation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the facility’s motion control strategy and standards
• Work collaboratively with scientific, engineering, and technical staff to deliver software and motion control solutions for beamlines
• Implement motion control systems for accelerator and beamline construction and upgrades
• Mentor junior staff
• Collaboratively develop software tools and services for NSLS-II
• Work with varied teams to troubleshoot technical issues and advance experimental capabilities

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Engineering, or related STEM discipline and 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Extensive experience with motion control technologies
• Demonstrated programming experience in C, C++, or Python
• Experience in open-source software development using best practices, such as version control tools for collaborative development, automated builds and testing, etc.
• Working knowledge of developing in a Linux operating system environment
• Practical knowledge of software and hardware engineering practices that include gathering requirements, design, testing, documentation, source code management and release procedures
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to take ownership of projects and tasks
• Effective oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with professionals from diverse backgrounds

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related STEM discipline and 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience with Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS), TANGO or other SCADA control systems.
• Experience with control software for scientific equipment, especially for synchrotron accelerator or synchrotron experiments

Other Information:

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. This is a multi-level role and the full salary range for this position is $109,150.00 - $182,033.00 / year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program

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About Us

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor

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