EPICS Control Systems Engineer

Title: EPICS Control Systems Engineer Location: Everett, WA

TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At its core, the company is working to raise living standards globally through a more affordable, secure, and environmentally friendly form of nuclear energy along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health. In 2006, TerraPower originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. They recognized energy access was crucial to the health and economic well-being of communities and decided that the private sector needed to take action and create energy sources that would advance global energy deployment. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field. As a result, the company’s activities in the fields of nuclear energy and related sciences are yielding significant innovations in the safety and economics of nuclear power, hybrid energy and medical applications – all for significant human health benefits.”

TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes.  TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

Control Systems Engineer 

The Information Technology Discipline within TerraPower, LLC. Is seeking a highly motivated Control Systems Engineer FULL TIME. In this role you will work with Lab Test Engineers and IT to provide expertise and support to all Natrium testing activities. Responsibilities will include design of LabVIEW and PLC/PLA based control systems for lab experiments with EPICS integration along with HMI design. The strongest candidates will have experience in laboratory experimentation, EPICS, LabVIEW, designing control systems and OT network experience for a variety of first-of-a-kind experiments, and safe operation of specialized equipment under hazardous conditions. 

Responsibilities

• Develop consistent HMI templates in Phoebus for use across multi-disciplinary experiments
• Develop control code in LabVIEW for CompactRIO (cRIO) devices
• Integrate new and existing LabVIEW based control systems into EPICS
• Develop PLC/PLA control code in Structured Text
• Work directly with test engineers to integrate sensors and control hardware with EPICS
• Help develop a unified control system strategy spanning multiple experiments and facilities
• Support Test Engineering in acquisition of experimental data
• Support the Responsible Test Engineer during shakedown and testing of control systems in an R&D environment
• Support continuous learning and application of nuclear industry best practices to maintain the highest quality of engineering design and proactively identify process change/enhancement opportunities
• Demonstrate exemplary safety practices and foster a culture of safety in a testing environment
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trustworthiness and integrity, communicate openly and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork

Key Qualifications and Skills

• B.S. degree in Controls, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, Physics or equivalent and 3+ years of relevant experience; advanced degree a plus.
• Experience working with and programming control systems in LabVIEW
• Experience working with engineers to develop consistent HMI’s
• Experience integrating control systems with EPICS
• Experience with PLCs/PLAs such as Siemens, Beckhoff, NI and their integration with EPICS a plus.
• Experience with data acquisition and controls for complex engineering systems with many I/O signals from varied sensors and instruments
• Experience operating on an OT control systems network with active experiments
• Ability to participate in a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, scientists and technicians with demonstrated results
• Strong analytical/problem solving skills, creative thinker
• Demonstrated ability to work on multiple tasks concurrently during a given work week
• Ability to handle projects that include multiple objectives and ability to resolve conflicts between objectives.
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Ability to work independently to solve challenging problems and provide recommendations in a timely manner

Job Functions:

Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position. These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation.  Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations.  An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.

• Motor Abilities: Sitting for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands)
• Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds.
• Repetitive work: Prolonged
• Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work
• Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hours/day
• Travel required 0-10%

TerraPower’s technology is controlled for export by various agencies of the U.S. Government.  TerraPower must evaluate applicants who are foreign nationals (other than asylees, refugees, or lawful permanent residents) in accordance with U.S. Government export control requirements.  To facilitate TerraPower’s export control reviews, you will be asked as part of the application process to identify whether you are a U.S. Citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.  Government export authorization approval times vary.  Based on the business needs for a particular position, TerraPower may not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval.

Job details

Salary Range: $103,579 - $134,518

*Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected individual’s qualifications experience.  This range is specific to Washington State.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation
• Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments
• Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits
  •   Medical
  •   Vision
  • Dental
  • Life and Disability
  • Gender Affirmation Benefits
• Parental Leave
• 401k Plan
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • 21 days of annually accrued PTO
• Generous Holiday Schedule
  • 10 paid holidays
• Relocation Assistance
• Professional and Educational Support Opportunities

TerraPower Career and Benefits information: