Group Leader - Control System Software

The European Spallation Source is one of the largest science and technology infrastructure projects being built today. The project includes the most powerful linear proton accelerator ever built, a five-tonne, helium-cooled tungsten target wheel, 15 state-of-the-art neutron instruments, a suite of laboratories, and a supercomputing data management and software development centre. In the context of its history and future as a scientific organisation, however, it is more than the sum of its parts. It is a brand new Big Science organisation and we are building it from the ground up.

Whilst others have built telescopes that allow us to look into the furthest regions of space, now we will build a device so powerful it will allow us to the study the smallest objects in the finest detail.

Come and build the future of Science with us!

About the role:

ESS is at an exciting turning point. It is in transition from being a construction site, to being a world-class, operating neutron research facility. As we continue to develop our organisation in the lead up to first science in 2025, we are now looking to appoint our next Group Leader for Control System Software within our Integrated Control System (ICS) Division.

As Group Leader for Control System Software, you will have the opportunity to be an active and driving contributor in the ICS management team - helping us to deliver the ESS project on schedule and within budget. This is a line-management position containing responsibility for personnel according to Swedish labour legislation. As such, your duties will include performance management, competence development, capacity management and salary setting of the team as well as estimation, planning, resource allocation and execution of project work. You will also be responsible for the adaptation, implementation and follow-up of processes and procedures. 

This is a permanent, full-time, on-site role based at the ESS campus in Lund, Sweden.

About you:

This Group Leader role at ESS is a management level position. As such, we are seeking a well-qualified, highly motivated person with the experience and gravitas needed to oversee the development of the competence, capacity and availability of this team to ensure team operational results and deliverables. Prior experience of managing teams of software developers is a prerequisite.

We need the successful candidate to have a minimum of a Master’s degree in Computer Science or a similar, relevant technical area. We also need someone who can bring significant, demonstrable experience of leading - and building - cohesive, highly functioning teams. Prior experience of software development over a wide range of environments - specifically for Java and Python contexts, database and distributed application development and user interface development - is essential.

ESS is implementing a variant of the classical line/project matrix organisational model with some degree of project responsibility often applicable also to line managers. You will therefore be expected to make technical decisions within the team that affect methodology, quality and performance-related issues. This means that you must have good knowledge on technologies relevant for the position.

We are building ESS from scratch, so we need someone who is comfortable not only following procedures, but also creating and improving them. We attach great importance to personality and attitude, so we're looking for a real team player: Someone who is sociable, has excellent communication skills, who likes to collaborate with different people and who is committed to helping this amazing project to realise its full potential. We want a hands-on self-starter who is able to work in a structured, orderly, responsible and safe way.

The working language of ESS is English, but for this role it would be a distinct advantage if you were fluent in both English and Swedish. The start date is negotiable, but we are looking for someone who can start as soon as possible.

What can we offer?

Aside from the chance to work at truly unique big science project, you can also expect:

• An opportunity to contribute to the future discoveries within neutron science.
• A stunning, brand new workplace filled with innovative minds and brilliant people from across the globe.
• A challenging, innovative and stimulating work environment.
• Market competitive compensation that is individual and differentiated according to role, responsibilities, individual skills, abilities and achievements.
• 30 days of annual leave, as well as more than 10 days of public holiday and company days off or days with limited working hours.
• Monthly pension contributions on top of your salary.
• Flexible working arrangements and a real work-life balance.

If you see yourself in what we’re looking for, please provide your CV and motivation letter in English by clicking on “apply” and following the instructions. Please be aware that we can only accept direct applications made via the ESS website.

Certain roles at ESS require health and safety checks and/or security clearance procedures, which will be performed as part of the recruitment process.

We review applications continuously, so don’t miss out! Submit your application as soon as you can and quote the job reference number ESD-31460 in your application.

For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process, please follow this link https://europeanspallationsource.se/ess-recruitment-process or contact Daniel Nordin Baker – Recruitment partner – at [email protected]. For further information regarding the position, please contact the Henrik Carling – Head of ICV Division – on [email protected] 

For trade union information, please contact Unionen representative Conny Wendt at [email protected] or SACO/Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers representative Marc Kickulies at [email protected].

We look forward to receiving your application soon!