Automation Engineer for Personnel Safety and Gas Detection systems

Imagine what we could learn if we could build a microscope so powerful that it could look deep inside the very materials that the universe is made from. A microscope that could actually let us see the atoms and molecules that substances are made from. Imagine the new discoveries we could make, the new materials we could develop and how much we could learn about ourselves and our universe.

The European Spallation Source is the mother of all microscopes! It is one of the most exciting, innovative and ground-breaking,” Big Science” projects under construction today. Research with neutrons lies behind some of the most important materials and innovations which improve our everyday lives, our health and our environment – and ESS will be the most powerful neutron microscope when fully operational in 2027.

We have built telescopes that allow us to look into the deepest regions of space, and are now building a microscope so powerful it will allow us to the study the smallest objects – atoms – in the finest detail.

Come and build the future of Science with us!

About the role: 

As our next Automation Engineer for Personnel Safety and Gas Detection systems, you will:


• Lead the design, implementation, testing, simulation and documentation of PLC and HMI software for Personnel Safety and Gas Detection Systems.
• Ensure the PLC software is designed towards a high degree of reliability, modularity, availability, maintainability, and inspect-ability and propose means
• of optimization.
Prepare, execute and document functional verification and validation of PLC software for Personnel Safety and Gas Detection Systems.
• Be involved in reviewing the PLC software from other systems and projects within the Protection Systems Group.
• Lead relevant PLC software maintenance and upgrade activities.
• Actively participate in the integration of equipment/systems located in the accelerator, target station and the neutron instruments into the overall ESS
• Strategy for Personnel Safety and Gas Detection Systems.

About you:

First and foremost, we need someone who is suitably qualified and experienced. You need to hold a University degree in a relevant field - such as automation, computer science or information technology with strong focus on PLC software development and optimization, software engineering, networks, programmable electronics, SCADA systems and frameworks. For this critical role at ESS, we also need someone with excellent knowledge and experience in using Siemens TIA portal programming tools, including related HMI development, someone who has strong experience in programming Siemens safety PLCs and equally strong experience in simulating PLC and HMI programs. Prior experience in documenting software requirements, designs and tests is also required for this role.

We are building ESS from the ground up, so we need someone who is comfortable not only following procedures, but also creating them. We attach great importance to personality and attitude, so we're looking for a real team player: Someone who is sociable, has excellent communication skills, who likes to collaborate with different people and who is committed to helping this amazing project to realise its full potential. We need a hands-on self-starter who is able to work in a structured, orderly, responsible and – most importantly – safe way.

The working language of ESS is English but it would be great if you could also work in Swedish as well. For this role, we need someone who can start as soon as possible! Shift work and occasional on-call duties will be required as necessary.

What can we offer?

Aside from the opportunity to work at one of only 4 linear accelerator-based Spallation sources on the whole planet, you can also expect:


• An opportunity to contribute to the future discoveries within neutron science.
• A stunning, brand new workplace filled with innovative minds and brilliant people from across the globe.
• A challenging, exciting and fast-paced work environment.
• Market competitive compensation that is individual and differentiated according to role, responsibilities, individual skills, abilities and achievements.
• 30 days of annual leave, as well as more than 10 days of public holiday and company days off or days with limited working hours.
• Monthly pension contributions on top of your salary.
• Flexible working arrangements and a real work-life balance.

Interested? We sure hope so.
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.

The closing date for application is Friday 29th July 2022 so submit your application as soon as soon as you can.

For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process, please follow this link https://europeanspallationsource.se/ess-recruitment-process or contact Daniel Nordin Baker – Recruitment partner – at daniel.nordin@ess.eu. For further information regarding the position, please contact Annika Nordt – Protection Systems Group leader – via Annika.Nordt@ess.eu

For trade union information, please contact Unionen representative Conny Wendt at conny.wendt@ess.eu or SACO/Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers representative Yngve Levinsen at yngve.levinsen@ess.eu.

We look forward to receiving your application soon!

REF: ESD-18253