Controls Software Engineer

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL) Accelerator Technology and Applied Physics (ATAP) Division has an opening for a Controls Software Engineer to join the BELLA Center team.

In this role, you will work within the BELLA Center as a vital member of a team consisting of physicists, engineers, fabrication teams, post-doctoral scholars, and students. You will develop and maintain data acquisition and machine control software to support the cutting-edge laser plasma accelerator experiments with broad supervision, and work with the scientists and engineers to fix problems related to motors, instruments, detectors, cameras, and IT systems. This position will implement new features to the distributed control system as well as design and implement code improvements.

What You Will Do:

• Maintain and develop the distributed modular control system software (currently mostly LabVIEW) installed on the laser plasma accelerator beamlines.
• Craft drivers for motor controllers, sensors, vision systems, vacuum systems, and various instruments.
• Write software to coordinate scans of motors, x-ray optics, etc. with data collection.
• Deal with control system problems and bugs in a timely manner to keep experiments running smoothly.
• Contribute to the design of new software features and equipment integrations requested by scientists.
• Develop user interfaces.
• Design and build fast feedback control loops.
• Create tools to analyze data.
• Assist with commissioning of new installations with support from scientists.
• Maintain and generate documentation describing work done and systems built. Follow standard methodologies for software development in a collaborative environment.
• Successfully finish the safety training required by the Laboratory and use those skills in daily practice.
• Generate software and interface documentation as required.
• Communicate software capabilities and device integration requirements to our scientific user community.
• Assist with improvements to team processes including source control, issue management, code review, documentation, and testing.
• Maintain the IT infrastructure required to perform experiments.
• Collaborate with leading scientists including machine learning experts, who write papers and make new discoveries.

What is Required:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or related discipline.
• At least 4 years of experience programming within the LabVIEW and Python environments.
• At least 2 years of experience programming data and control systems.
• Experience with the life cycle of a project from idea to design, build, and implementation.
• Experience with installation and debugging of hardware needed for scientific discovery such as motion and vision systems.
• Full understanding of programming control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to create a LabVIEW application.
• Ability to perform system integrations with sensors, instruments, and motor control.
• Effective communication skills.
• Effective at troubleshooting hardware and software.
• Knowledge of networking protocols, web development, and databases.
• Knowledge of programming in other languages such as C#, C++, Python, Visual Basic.
• Excellent organization and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to maintain and develop the hardware systems required for a reliable data acquisition and analysis systems (network, computers, real time systems).
• Ability to work independently with little instruction on day-to-day work and be innovative in an interdisciplinary and diverse scientific research environment.
• Ability to learn new skills and techniques as required by the situation.
• Demonstrated safety awareness with a strong understanding of positive safety culture.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills to interact effectively with colleagues.
• Excellent analytical skills for problem solving, troubleshooting and data analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Tango and/or EPICS control systems.
• Ability to implement machine learning tools.
• Working knowledge of programmable logic controllers (PLC's), ladder logic Experience tuning motors using PID control techniques (Classic Control).
• Past membership in multi-developer software projects.
• Demonstrated leadership within project teams.

Salary:

The full salary range of this position is between $8,658 to $14,610 per month and is expected to pay between a targeted range of $9,739 to $11,905 per month depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities, including education, certifications, and years of experience. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position.

Notes:

• This is a full-time 2 year, term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.
• This position will be hired at a level commensurate with the business needs and the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

Based on University of California Policy - SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program and U.S Federal Government requirements, Berkeley Lab requires that all members of our community obtain the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible. As a condition of employment at Berkeley Lab, all Covered Individuals must Participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program by providing proof that vaccination requirements have been met or submitting a request for Exception or Deferral. Visit covid.lbl.gov for more information.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

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