Company Background

As a deep tech scale-up engineering company our client's mission is to dramatically reduce the cost of tunnelling, allowing global demand for increased, yet more sustainable transportation solutions, to be met.

They have assembled a dynamic team with expertise in wide ranging areas such as aeronautics, motorsport and geophysics alongside tunnelling experts. We are helping to grow this team and are looking for individuals who have the drive and passion to develop cutting edge solutions, with inventive, fast paced thinking, who can bring fresh perspectives to our product development.

This role offers a truly exciting opportunity in a friendly and collaborative environment. People are our client's most valuable asset. They look after them and we champion diversity.

Benefits – pension, healthcare, bonus and shares

Role Background

We have built the world’s first underground structure constructed entirely by a small fleet of robots. You will be part of a strong team taking the prototype system to production. You will take the lessons learnt from the first robot tunnel build and combine it with your expertise to develop the next generation of robotic toolsets. You will use your experience and knowledge to shape the product and solution roadmap. If you are looking for a role with high levels of autonomy where your day-to-day work will have significant impact and visibility, then you will thrive here.

The commercial platform will be able to monitor and maintain, repair, enlarge existing tunnels and build new tunnels. Utilising state of the art technology for underground survey, developing innovative chemistries for underground 3d printing with significantly reduced carbon footprint. Building kilometres of tunnel in months rather than years by using a swarm of 1000’s of robots all operating silently under the ground with minimal impact to the surrounding environment. Artificial intelligence and machine learning will be used through all levels of the system from intelligent motion control and toolsets to optimisation simulations that are used to optimise the fleet across contracts. At the centre of the system will be a digital twin; the central hub for running and visualising the simulation, as well as monitoring and optimising the actual contract as it progresses. You will have the opportunity to work closely with experts in these fields to grow your knowledge and understanding of these technologies.

Key Responsibilities

Working collaboratively with our mechanical designers:

* Develop innovative controls and software solutions to engineering problems

* Develop prototypes and models to derisk development and gain understanding

* Architect, design and implement the controls and software for our range of underground robots

* Support the cost down of our product range to achieve the production cost targets

* Develop products that will be integrated into solutions for our clients

Controls and software design authority for our range of robotic products
Introduce best practice and lean processes
Selection and specification of controls and software products and platforms
Ensuring designed products meet safety and regulatory standards
Support progress through the technology roadmap to achieve key commercial objectives

Essential Knowledge, skills and experience required:

* PLC programming in codesys

* PLC code from scratch

* Modify and debug existing PLC code

* Coding GUI and diagnostics

* Specification and selection of motors, drives, sensors

* Electrical design and schematics

* Writing motion control software to drive a robot to specified position

* Designing products to the machinery directive to achieve CE compliance

* Risk assessment and safety circuit design

* Working in a structured manner to commission control systems to the point of production readiness

* Full product lifecycle from concept through to verification and validation

Desired Knowledge, skills and experience

* Knowledge of Beckhoff PLC and TwinCat

* Experience with Embedded controllers

* Experience of integration with artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms

* Experience of integration with digital twin technology

* Experience with software and controls for robot fleets

* Experience with large scale robotics and automation systems

Type of person

* Driven and tenacious

* Strong quality focus, tempered with pragmatic approach to achieve business outcomes

* Innovative problem solver

* Details driven and happy to role up your sleeves to drive a solution to a successful outcome

* Flexible approach and keen to learn new skills

* Keen to learn with the business as we progress through the technology roadmap

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