European XFEL is an international non-profit company located in the Hamburg area in Germany. It operates a 3.4 km-long X‑ray laser, which produces X‑rays of unique quality for studies in physics, chemistry, the life sciences, materials research and other disciplines. The diverse scientific facilities at European XFEL enable scientists from across the globe to carry out a wide range of experimental techniques.

For our Controls group we are looking for an

Embedded Software Engineer (f/m/d) – Python & Zynq

The Position

As part of the STEPHANIK project we are looking for a Python Developer with experience in data acquisition on Zynq or similar SoC and FPGA platforms. The Slovak Technical Ecosphere Platform (STEPHANIK) is a transformation and innovation program by the Slovak government with international partners, including EuXFEL and DESY. EuXFEL is supporting this program through knowledge transfer and developments in high data-rate FPGA acquisition systems. As part of this project, and linked in with other strategic developments at EuXFEL, you will:

• help evolve existing data acquisition systems at EuXFEL towards Zynq or similar platforms,
• interface with the project partners of STEPHANIK, and within EuXFEL to understand requirements for such platforms,
• implement high-level Python libraries to interface with platforms and help establish frameworks for data acquisition thereon,
• prototype integration of the facility’s SCADA system, Karabo, with these platforms.

The project is executed jointly with staff members from EuXFEL’s Controls Software and Electronic and Electrical Engineering Groups.

Requirements

• university degree in electronics, computer science, physics or comparable field,
• proven working knowledge of Python,
• proven experience in developing Python interfaces for SoC FPGA platforms such as Zynq,
• experience in integrating ML frameworks on SoC as an additional asset,
• experience in FPGA programming as an additional asset,
• experience in asynchronous programming as an additional asset,
• experience in high-speed data acquisition systems as an additional asset,
• good communication skills and the capability to distil requirements from stakeholders and clients with diverse technical backgrounds.

For additional information, please contact Steffen Hauf (steffen.hauf@xfel.eu).

Working place will be Schenefeld in the Hamburg metropolitan area. General information on working in Germany, the Hamburg area and the European XFEL can be found here.

Our offer

Become part of a vibrant international and multi-cultural team of scientists, engineers, technical and administrative staff. Be involved in cutting-edge scientific and technical progress and participate in our international networks. Experience our atmosphere of tolerance and respect.

Salary and benefits are similar to those of public service organizations in Germany, this includes for example:

• family friendly working environment (e.g. additional childcare days)
• flexible working times and option for work from home depending on tasks
• 30 days of vacation, 24th and 31st of December are free as a courtesy of the employer
• extensive relocation benefits
• generous company pension scheme (6,45% of monthly salary)
• monthly social events and subsidized company restaurant
• partially financed job-tickets for public transportation
• extensive training opportunities incl. subsidized English and German language classes
• Easy and free access to a mental health platform to support your wellbeing

Our company language is English.

Reference number: E-389

Duration: This is a time-limited position, available until 30 September 2027.

Application

Please provide your CV and a motivation letter in English as well as any reference letters.

The European XFEL GmbH is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and we promote and support diverse and heterogenous teams. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference over other equally qualified applicants.

Apply now

Deadline: 19 August 2025

European XFEL GmbH

Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany

www.xfel.eu