FPGA development engineer

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.

Come and build the future of Science with us!

About the role:

The ESS is at an exciting turning point. It is in transition from being a construction site, to being an operating facility. To help us realise our goal of being the most powerful neutron source in the world, we now need a FPGA development engineer to join our Integrated Control System (ICS) division. This is a senior position and requires a substantial level of inpedence and drive. Your main responsibilites and tasks will include - but are not limited to: 


• Interacting with Integrated Control System (ICS) stakeholders to define requirements, design and develop embedded systems 

• Document and analyse stakeholder and internal requirements
• Main developer for firmware development on ESS FPGA platsforms
• Implement and realize the solution on ESS FPGA platforms
• Troubleshoot and optimize performance of existing solutions 
• Maintain and support systems delivered by partners 


• Interacting with ICS's partners

• Review and assess designs and doucments from partner contributors
• Ensure a high quality level of delivered contributions
• Maintain and support systems delivered by partners


• Participate in planning and reporting

• Reporting weekly progress/issues/next steps to work package managers
• Support work package and project managers with technical competence 


• Ensure that all work is executed in accordance with ESS quality assurance and safety procedures 
• Actively participate in work with deliverable and process quality

About you:

To thrive with us in the TEAM, you need to be driven, responsive and good at spotting both problems and opportunities. 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, 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.

Required qualifications:


• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering, technology or science
• 3+ years of experience from work with FPGA development
• 2+ years of experience from firmware development for FPGA, preferably using Xilinx Vivado
• Experience with high speed data aquisition systems
• Excellent oral and written English skills, including developing technical control system documentation in English  

Meriting qualifications:


• Higher academic degree in related topic
• Experience with MTCA or similar crate standards 
• Experience in software development languages such as C/C++
• Experience and knowledge about quality assurance and verification of control systems, preferably using automated test tools
• Experience in system engineering and total lifecycle management of control systems
• Experience from "big science" projects or other complex, international technical/scientific projects  

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 last day for receiving application is November 8th 2022 - so submit your application as soon as you can. Please quote the job reference number ESD-20036 in your application.

Certain roles at ESS require health and safety checks, which may be required in the final stages of the recruitment process.

For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process, please follow this link https://europeanspallationsource.se/ess-recruitment-process or contact Recruiter – Sara Tenggren – at sara.tenggren@ess.eu. For further information regarding the position, please contact the Recruiting Manager – Karl Vestin – via karl.vestin@ess.eu

We look forward to receiving your application soon!