Control System Hardware Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

73d

About The Position

The Control Systems Section at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) is seeking an early career Control System Hardware Engineer to focus on control system infrastructure and digital hardware systems. This position is part of the Controls Integration Group in the Control Systems Section in the Research Accelerator Division of the Neutron Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The group is responsible for maintaining and improving fully integrated control systems for the SNS accelerator to ensure safe, high-reliability beam delivery to the target. These systems typically incorporate PLC, VME, or MicroTCA hardware, all integrated using the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) framework. In this position, the focus is primarily on embedded hardware systems utilizing Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), System on Chip (SOCs), multi-core processors, and a range of custom hardware interfaces. This position reports to the Controls Integration Group Leader. The group is currently working on modernizing the SNS control system hardware and software, preparing systems for 2.8MW operations and building more cyber resilient computing and network infrastructure. Ongoing upgrade projects include replacing legacy VME solutions with MicroTCA as well as developing next generation Accelerator Timing and Machine Protection Systems (MPS). The selected candidate will support modernization efforts by: Developing FPGA designs based on the MicroTCA platform for applications ranging from distributed timing synchronization, low latency fault protection, fast-feedback control loops, and digital signal processing. Performing hardware system integration into a production accelerator facility.

Requirements

A BS degree in engineering, science or physics.
Knowledge of fundamental circuit design and analysis principles.
Demonstrated technical knowledge which includes one or more of the following: digital hardware design, FPGA firmware development, highly distributed controls systems, embedded systems, real-time operating systems.
Ability to work and communicate effectively with diverse teams of engineers, operators, technicians and scientists.

Nice To Haves

Relevant internship or co-op experience.
An MS degree in electrical engineering or related field.
Proficiency with hardware development tools and practices, such as version control, issue tracking, and documentation.
Experience with standard laboratory tools including oscilloscope, multimeter, signal generators, protocol analyzer, and power analyzers.
Experience with MicroTCA or AdvancedTCA platforms.
Background in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications.
Familiarity with Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS).
Experience with Vivado High-Level Synthesis (HLS) implementations.
Demonstrated presentation skills.
Work experience in experimental physics facility.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the scientific mission of SNS by developing reliable and maintainable hardware solutions for accelerator and target control systems in a multidisciplinary team environment.
Maintain and enhance distributed control systems critical to SNS operations, with a primary focus on the Machine Protection System (MPS) and Timing System.
Provide ongoing support for existing production systems, including troubleshooting, bug resolution, and documentation updates.
Develop and maintain technical documentation and training materials for hardware systems.
Collaborate with peers at SNS and other large-scale experimental physics facilities to share expertise and adopt community-developed solutions.
Provide operational support, troubleshooting, and system improvements for accelerator and target control systems. While typical work hours are office-based, occasional off-hours or weekend support may be required to meet user facility needs.
As a member of the ORNL scientific community, you will be expected to commit to ORNL's Research Code of Conduct. Our full code of conduct, and a statement by the Lab Director's office can be found here: https://www.ornl.gov/content/research-integrity
Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.