Control System Engineer

The European Spallation Source (ESS) is one of the largest science and technology infrastructure projects being built today. Our goal is to become the brightest source of neutrons for science and technology and be operational by the end of this decade. A state-of-the-art suite of neutron scattering instruments will be made available to address a wide range of scientific fields in fundamental and materials science. Powered by the world’s most advanced linear proton accelerator, ESS will enable cutting-edge research in materials science, energy, health, and the environment for decades to come.

Join us in shaping the future of science - from the ground up.

About the role:

We are looking for a Control System Engineer to join our Hardware & Integration Group. The group is responsible for the integration of all hardware in the ESS facility into the integrated control system. This includes a diverse flora of different systems ranging from PLC systems for water flow control to fast FPGA-based data acquisition systems, all integrated towards the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System software framework.

Collaboration is central to this role. You’ll be a part of a large and diverse control systems team with highly qualified, experienced and supportive colleagues working together during an intensive, developing commissioning phase. The team is divided into five work packages with great focus on dynamic collaboration, technical expertise and careful quality follow-ups. Together you will work to develop local control systems and integrate them with the EPICS framework.

As a Control System Engineer at ESS, you’ll play a key role in designing, implementing, and maintaining complex control systems. More braodly, this role involve will involve:

• Documenting and analysing stakeholder and internal requirements, ensuring that every solution aligns with project needs.
• Creating test and validation plans, contribute to system design, and prepare for technical reviews.
• Bring these solutions to life, as well as troubleshooting and optimising existing systems.
• Driving testing and validation procedures.
• Supporting and maintaining delivered systems will also be part of your responsibilities to ensure their long-term reliability and performance.

This is a permanent role which is based primarily “on-site” at the brand-new https://youtu.be/d5h4bIEfM5Q?si=W28A9wLAkYK3HOXJ.

About you:

For this role, we are seeking control systems engineer with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering, technology or science. You should be curious, motivated, and eager to grow your skills while contributing to a world‑class scientific facility where we turn diverse hardware and software systems into a coherent, reliable whole.

With a solid foundation in embedded software development, you enjoy working close to hardware. You need to have experience developing in C/C++, working in Linux environments, and familiarity with modern development practices - including Git - and contributing to and working with open‑source projects.

You have some experience with EPICS or a similar control system framework used in accelerator or large‑scale facilities (such as TANGO or other bespoke control systems), and you are interested in learning more about integrating hardware devices into a facility‑wide control system. Prior experience with neutron science is not required.

You are someone who enjoys working collaboratively and who is comfortable interacting with engineers, scientists, and other stakeholders to help define the scope of work, implement solutions, and follow through with documentation and verification. You take pride in writing clear code and clear documentation, and you value quality and reliability.

You work in a structured and responsible way, are open to feedback, and are keen to learn from more experienced colleagues. You are comfortable in an environment where systems are still being developed and commissioned, and where curiosity, initiative, and a strong safety culture are essential. Fluency in English, which is the working language at ESS, is essential. Knowledge of Swedish or other European languages would be an advantage.

Experience from large‑scale research facilities, or with controls for accelerators, neutron sources, or beamlines, would be considered a merit, as would familiarity with automation and configuration tools such as Ansible/AWX. 

To apply:

A career at ESS gives you the opportunity to contribute to the future discoveries within neutron science at a stunning, brand-new workplace filled with innovative minds and brilliant people from across the globe. We offer market competitive, individualised compensation which is differentiated according to role, responsibilities, individual skills, abilities and achievements as well as monthly pension contributions on top of your salary.

If you see yourself in what we’re looking for, please provide your CV and motivation letter in English by clicking on “apply” and following the instructions. Please be aware that we can only accept direct applications made via the ESS website. Submit your application as soon as you can and quote the job reference number ESD-78852 in your application.

This role requires additional background screening processes and health and safety checks, which will be performed during the recruitment process.

For further information regarding the position, please contact Talent Acquisition Specialist Daniel Nordin Baker on mailto:daniel.nordin@ess.eu or hiring manager Karl Vestin on mailto:Karl.Vestin@ess.eu

For trade union information, please contact Unionen representative Nerusha Naicker on mailto:erusha.Naicker@ess.eu or SACO/Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers representative Marc Kickulies at mailto:marc.kickulies@ess.eu

We look forward to receiving your application soon!