Controls Engineer IV - Engineering/Physicist Accelerator IV

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Work type:Support Staff
Pay Grade: 15
Major Administrative Unit / College: Facility For Rare Isotope Beams
Department: Facility For Rare Isotope Beams 10049299
Sub Area: AP- Professionals
Salary: Salary Commensurate with Experience
Location:East Lansing
Categories:Engineers/Architects, Administrative Professionals- AP, Full Time (90-100%), Union

Controls Engineer IV

Michigan State University (MSU) operates the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) as a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics. FRIB provides researchers with one of the most advanced tools of modern science to study rare isotopes, or short-lived nuclei not normally found on Earth. Hosting what is designed to be the most powerful heavy-ion accelerator, FRIB enables scientists to make discoveries about the properties of rare isotopes, nuclear astrophysics, fundamental interactions, and applications for society, including in medicine, homeland security, and industry. User facility operation is supported by the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics as one of 28 DOE-SC user facilities. MSU’s nuclear physics graduate program is a top-ranked program nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report.

This position affords an exciting opportunity to become part of the world-class FRIB Laboratory that enables unique discovery opportunities in nuclear science.

Purpose: 

The Control Engineer IV will lead the design, development, documentation, deployment and support of the FRIB EPICS/PLC-based control system, as well as required instrumentation and motor controls, supporting commissioning and operation.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Plan and manage resources in the design, documentation, programming, and installation of EPICS/PLC-based control systems.
• Implement, maintain and improve work processes including implementation of guidelines for the FRIB EPICS/PLC-based controls system to maintain and improve productivity, efficiency, and quality of the work.
• Provide continuous support and improvement of hardware control systems including preventive maintenance, repair and parts management for assigned equipment, keeping records of maintenance tasks and results.
• Determine ways to optimize logic or systems balanced against system maintainability.
• Foresee any potential problem areas and notify line manager.
• Interface with operations and commissioning teams to provide prompt support.
• Collaborate with EPICS/PLC community to keep FRIB control system up-to-date.
• Performs other duties as required or as assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Thorough knowledge of PLC-based controls system, associated hardware/software, and implementation guidelines
• Ability and skill to program, test, and troubleshoot complex PLC programs for Allen Bradley ControlLogix, GuardLogix, CompactLogix, and/or CompactGuardLogix including the ones for specialty controls (i.e., motion controls, robotic controls, safety controls, HMI programing).
• Skill to develop and maintain electrical drawing with AutoCAD.
• Ability to lead engineers or technicians to fabricate, install, test, and troubleshoot electronic systems.
• Ability to communicate with stakeholders to understand and document requirements.
• Ability to develop a large-scale PLC-based controls system from end-to-end (from design to test) leading a team of engineers and/or technicians.
• Excellent communication skills to communicate effectively and credibly, both verbally and in writing with all audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suites.

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a bachelor’s degree program in Mechanical Engineering, Physics or a related field; five to eight years of progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in research instrument hardware or devices of comparable complexity; work experience in standard fabrication and joining techniques, high vacuum systems, sealing techniques, and cleanliness protocols; knowledge of basic optomechanical design practices; experience designing moving mechanical systems, both rotary and translational; experience in the design and fabrication of sophisticated research equipment; experience with CAD/CAE is required, SolidWorks/ANSYS; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience in controls design, including safety, PLC installations, maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Experience with Allen Bradley ContrlLogix PLC’s, GuardLogix PLCs, Compact GuardLogix, board level troubleshooting, and AutoCad
• Experience with the EPICS controls system
• Experience in large-scale controls systems development and techniques
• Good understanding of distributed control system software and hardware
• Excellent communication and documentation skills

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Please provide a cover letter and resume. 

STANDARD 8-5

frib.msu.edu

Advertised:May 15, 2024 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:May 21, 2024 Eastern Daylight Time