is is a high-impact position suited to an engineer who is comfortable moving between architecture, implementation, commissioning, and hands-on troubleshooting of complex physical systems. You will work closely with physicists, electrical engineers, and hardware developers to build automation systems suitable for high-reliability laboratory and semiconductor environments.

Key Responsibilities

This list is not exhaustive; additional duties may be assigned as needed.

• Automation Architecture: Define and evolve the PLC-based automation layer for Lace’s instrumentation systems, establishing clear responsibilities and interfaces between industrial controllers, embedded devices, and higher-level software.
• PLC and Control Logic Development: Design, implement, test, and maintain PLC applications for equipment sequencing, subsystem coordination, interlocks, alarms, diagnostics, and controlled recovery from faults.
• Hardware-Software Integration: Build reliable interfaces between PLC systems and the wider control platform using appropriate industrial communication protocols, APIs, and data models while preserving modularity and technology flexibility.
• System Integration and Commissioning: Lead hands-on integration, commissioning, validation, and troubleshooting of automated subsystems involving sensors, actuators, motion systems, instrumentation, and supporting equipment in the Bergen lab.
• Testing and Reliability: Establish automated testing, simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, failure-injection approaches, and commissioning procedures that improve the reliability and maintainability of the control system.
• Technology Evaluation and Roadmap: Evaluate PLC platforms, industrial automation technologies, and architectural options. Help define a pragmatic long-term roadmap without prematurely locking the organization into a single technology or vendor.
• General Software Development: Bridge the gap between industrial controllers and higher-level systems by writing, reviewing, and maintaining code in general-purpose languages (such as Rust or Python), ensuring seamless data exchange and robust API design.

Qualifications

Required:

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field, plus 5+ years of professional experience delivering PLC-based automation systems through the full engineering lifecycle.
• Core Industrial Control: Deep practical knowledge of PLC programming, sequential control, state machines, interlocks, alarm management, fault handling, and safe-state behavior.
• Hardware Integration: Hands-on experience integrating sensors, actuators, motion systems, remote I/O, and industrial hardware, alongside a strong understanding of industrial communication networks and protocols.
• Software Engineering Skills: Proficiency in at least one general-purpose programming language (preferably Rust or Python). Familiarity with modern software practices, including version control (Git), code review, automated testing, and modular design.
• Systems-Level Troubleshooting: Strong ability to diagnose complex, cross-domain interactions spanning software, controllers, electronics, and physical hardware.
• Working Style: Excellent collaborative and communication skills. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.

Preferred:

• Advanced Ecosystems: Experience with Beckhoff automation technology, specifically TwinCAT and EtherCAT.
• Complex Instrumentation: Background in precision motion control, signal acquisition, vacuum systems, process equipment, or semiconductor/advanced manufacturing environments.
• Safety & Compliance: Experience with functional safety, machinery risk assessment, safety PLCs, and relevant standards (IEC 61508, IEC 62061, or ISO 13849). Ability to interpret electrical schematics and control-cabinet documentation.
• Advanced Testing: Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, digital twins, automated commissioning, or failure-injection testing.