Senior Software Engineer - Controls

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a senior software professional to work at the cutting edge of technology. Working with a team based in India and the UK, you will help develop control systems for some of the most powerful lasers in the world, enabling a plethora of science and applications in industry, medicine and security. There are ample opportunities of growth in future as we are currently exploring opportunities to scale up development activities of this technology in India.

Who are we Extreme Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) is a £6 million UK-India research and innovation hub funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The centre is jointly established by the UK's Central Laser Facility (CLF) and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and is housed at the TIFR Hyderabad laboratories. EPIC focuses on developing and exploiting laser-driven accelerator applications that deliver meaningful economic and societal impact. Team members collaborate across iCLF and TIFR to translate advanced photonics research into practical technologies and solutions. The environment is highly technical, mission-driven, and well suited for individuals interested in cutting-edge technology development.

What's the role This is a full-time, on-site role based at TIFR Hyderabad. This role is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining control software for laser-driven accelerator systems and associated instrumentation. Day-to-day tasks include implementing real-time control algorithms, integrating hardware and software components, developing user interfaces for system monitoring, and optimising system performance and reliability. You will collaborate closely with physicists, engineers, and researchers to translate experimental requirements into robust control solutions, perform troubleshooting and diagnostics, and ensure high availability of critical systems. Additional responsibilities include documentation of software architectures, compliance to safety and regulatory requirements, code reviews, and mentoring junior team members in best practices for software development.

There are two openings. Initial appointment will be for 3 years, which is renewable based on performance.

Applications should be directly made at https://epic-innovation.org/job-opportunities/

Deadline: 5th August, 2026

Essentials:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Science with a CGPA of 7 or above.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant industry experience in software engineering, industrial automation, distributed control systems, or scientific instrumentation.
• Strong software development experience using C, C++, and/or Python.
• Strong understanding of software architecture and software development life cycle.
• Experience integrating scientific instruments, motion control, vacuum systems, and other industrial hardware into software control systems.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and technical leadership skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable :

• Familiarity with EPICS or comparable distributed/SCADA control systems.
• Experience with modern software engineering methodologies and software development lifecycles.
• Experience delivering software solutions within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and other DevOps practices.

Additional Requirements :

• Must be able to travel to the UK occasionally for technical collaboration