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Functional Safety Engineer (IEC 61508, Systems safety)

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StageNot listed in company directoryStandardsIEC 61508 · IEC 60204-1IndustryRoboticsSeniorityMid-levelRegionGermanyWork modeHybridSource year2026Role familySystems safetyEmploymentFull-timeEmployerNot in the directoryToolsSimulink · MATLAB · Git · Python · C / C++LanguagesEnglish
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Role summary

The organization Energy is an international deep-tech company based in Germany and the US, working to commercialize laser-driven nuclear fusion. Our mission is to provide clean, safe, and virtually unlimited energy to the world. We are rapidly scaling and looking for talented individuals who thrive in building clarity and structure within fast-growing environments.

Responsibilities

You will report to the Controls Engineering Lead and join a small, collaborative team of 3–5 engineers. The role is hybrid, with the expectation of occasional travel to our Austin, TX site. Working hours follow standard business schedules, and on-call needs are minimal and largely confined to regular working hours.

  • Lead the design and development of PLC-based control subsystems, supporting cutting-edge laser fusion technologies, and work in collaboration with scientists and engineers to gather requirements and iterate solutions.
  • Own the integration and control systems for critical experiment support infrastructure such as vacuum, pneumatics, and cooling plant.
  • Develop control software for modern PLCs such as Beckhoff TwinCAT in Structured Text (IEC 61131-3) for machine safety and process control systems.
  • Commission complex experimental equipment together with scientists and engineers, including field debugging and systematic fault-finding of cutting-edge technology.
  • Specify and implement SCADA systems and HMIs, including alarms, logging, data acquisition, and database integration.
  • Contribute to team standards and solution architecture, and mentor junior engineers through design reviews and guidance.

Requirements

  • Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Control/Automation, Mechatronics/Robotics, Physics or similar, with a focus on PLC-based control, embedded or real‑time systems.
  • 5+ years in plant control systems, factory automation, embedded software, or complex scientific experimental work with significant PLC-based elements.
  • Proficient in PLC programming in Structured Text (IEC 61131-3) following good software engineering practice, including modularization, version control (e.g. Git), and unit testing.
  • Knowledge of SCADA systems (e.g. Ignition, EPICS, Tango, WinCC, FactoryTalk, AVEVA) and hands-on experience of delivering HMIs to stakeholders, including alarm and error handling, status and data visualization.
  • Proficient in reading electrical wiring diagrams and P&IDs, collaborating with electrical and mechanical engineering teams to deliver physical systems.
  • Familiarity with industrial networking and fieldbus protocols such as EtherCAT, OPC UA, and Modbus TCP.
  • Familiarity with risk assessment processes and relevant safety standards (e.g. 84, ).
  • Clear communicator in English, comfortable working in hybrid and international cross-site teams, self-organized and proactive, comfortable leading technical discussions and decisions.
  • Practical, hands-on approach with proven experience in hardware/software integration, and a strong track record in debugging and fault-finding on real systems.
  • Beckhoff PLCs and TwinCAT.
  • DDS (Data Distribution Service) protocol, related tools and utilities.
  • OPC UA protocol, related tools and utilities.
  • Design of vacuum control systems.
  • Designing control cabinet hardware to EU standards (IEC 60204 -1).
  • Safety-critical systems design: safety relays, determination, LOPA, risk assessment.
  • Proficiency in at least one higher-level language (LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++).
  • Higher LabVIEW qualifications (CLD, CLED, CLA) and NI hardware experience (PXIe, cRIO).
  • Other non-PLC embedded or real-time systems (FPGAs, RTOS, microcontrollers, robotics).
  • Experience working on complex scientific equipment or large-scale research facilities.
  • Image processing and machine vision, motion control and robotics.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the organization Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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Standards

  • IEC 61508 Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-Related Systems
  • IEC 60204-1 Electrical Equipment of Machines

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