Senior Controls / Senior Personnel Safety Engineer

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Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £53,818 to £59,919
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended (permanent)
Location: Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 4AD
Closing date: 2nd July 2024

Come and do the kind of computing that got you into technology in the first place. Work with cutting-edge tech and world-leading scientists and engineers. And harness the power of some of the country's most advances supercomputers to tackle work that improves daily life in the UK and far beyond.

Put simply, come and discover the impact you can make when you're equipped, encouraged and inspired to perform to your very best.

A vacancy exists within the Control Systems and Safety Interlocks Group for an experienced Control Systems and Personal Safety Systems Engineer to contribute to the design and development of complex distributed digital control systems and high integrity safety interlock systems.

The group is based at Daresbury Laboratory and forms part of the Engineering Technology Centre (ETC) within the Technology Department at STFC. The ETC provides advanced mechanical, electrical and control system engineering solutions for a wide range of world-leading projects.

About the Role

The successful candidate will be responsible for the design and development of state-of-the-art control and safety systems for particle accelerators and large scientific facilities both within STFC and in collaboration with other national and international organisations, as well as managing, training and supporting early careers staff within the group.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Requirements
Controls Systems

• Experience of programmable logic controller (PLC) programming. Proficient in the use of Omron PLC programming environments: Sysmac Studio (essential) and CX-Programmer (desirable).
• Demonstrable track record of the delivery of PLC-based projects, including requirements gathering, system design, implementation, field testing and commissioning, with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in programming PLCs using ladder logic, function block diagrams and structured text.
• Knowledge of PLC hardware components, including NJ, CJ and NX controllers, input/output modules, communication interfaces, and peripheral devices.
• Ability to develop human-machine interface (HMI) applications using Omron's HMI software, such as Sysmac Studio or NB-Designer, for visualisation and control of industrial processes.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet and Modbus TCP-IP/RTU used for communication between PLCs, HMIs, and other devices on the factory floor.
• Ability to troubleshoot and debug PLC programs and experience in diagnosing hardware faults and resolving issues on PLC systems to minimise downtime.

Personnel Safety Systems

• Experience in designing large distributed safety interlock systems using Omron safety PLCs and I/O modules.
• Experience in Safety PLC programming using Omron programming software - Network Configurator, CX-Network Configurator or Sysmac Studio, using function block or ladder logic.
• Knowledge of safety communication protocols supported by Omron safety hardware, such as DeviceNet Safety, Safety over EtherCAT and CIP Safety.
• Knowledge of risk assessment methodologies, such as HAZOP and familiarity with safety standards, to include BS EN 61508, 62061 and 13849.
• Working knowledge of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and the associated approved code of practice.
• Ability to integrate Omron safety PLCs with other control system hardware, HMIs, and safety devices within the industrial automation environment, while ensuring compliance with safety standards.
• Competence in managing complex safety interlock PLC projects, to include requirements gathering, specification creation, design, procurement, implementation and commissioning, while adhering to project timelines and budgets and working with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in conducting validation and verification activities on safety interlock systems to reduce risk and ensure safety measures are appropriate and sufficient.
• Ability to troubleshoot safety PLC systems, diagnose faults, and perform maintenance activities in a timely manner to ensure ongoing safe operation.

General

• Experience in producing comprehensive documentation for safety system design and control system design, to include specifications and validation reports.
• Understanding of the many key physical and engineering challenges of building control systems and safety systems, with the ability to think creatively and propose solutions to challenging problems.
• Excellent communication skills.

Desirable Requirements

• Knowledge of particle accelerator operating procedures and support systems such as vacuum, RF and laser systems.
• Experience line-managing, supporting and training early careers staff.
• Prepared to travel to support external projects.
• Willingness to participate in out-of-hours on-call support for operational personnel safety systems.
• A working appreciation of the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) tool suite.
• Experience of working within an ISO 9001 Quality Management System.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible.

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

As one of Europe's largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We're proud of the impact we make. And we're committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You'll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you'll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you'll discover just what a difference you can make when you're equipped and inspired to excel.

We're a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don't, ask questions that others won't, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it's at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It's very often ground-breaking. And it's endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org .

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI .

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce' .

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.