Intern PLC developer thesis worker

This Master’s thesis at Cytiva examines what it would take to move UNICORN middleware from Windows to Linux within an industrial automation environment. The project combines theoretical analysis with practical testing and a small-scale proof of concept to understand how platform and architecture differences influence communication, timing, performance and runtime behaviour.

The assignment

• Assess whether the industrial middleware can be migrated from Windows to Linux.
• Identify operating system dependencies, architectural limitations and timing characteristics that influence determinism, latency and communication reliability.
• Examine how the middleware connects a real-time PLC/control system with a non-real-time host that provides the user interface.
• Build a limited Linux proof of concept to test essential middleware functions.
• Evaluate both platforms under representative workloads, measuring performance, latency, resource consumption and runtime stability.
• Relate experimental results to theoretical platform differences and present documented conclusions and recommendations.

Who we are looking for

• Studying towards a Master’s or civil engineering degree in computer science, engineering physics, electrical engineering, automation or a similar discipline.
• Strong programming ability, ideally with C#.
• Experience with Linux and operating systems, or a keen interest in learning more about them.
• Interest in real-time computing, communication, low-level software and industrial automation.
• An analytical approach and enthusiasm for combining theory with implementation and measurements.
• Ability to analyse, document and explain technical findings clearly.
• Experience with embedded systems, real-time systems or middleware is advantageous.
• Knowledge of CI/CD, cross-compilation, software porting or performance testing is a plus.
• Familiarity with or interest in PLC-based automation, MCU-driven platforms or Rockwell Automation systems is beneficial.

What we offer

• An opportunity to combine theoretical research with hands-on evaluation in industrial software and automation.
• The scope and research questions can be developed together with the selected student or students.
• A working environment that emphasises continuous improvement and care for colleagues, customers and patients.

Practical details

Location: Uppsala. Master’s thesis; the advertisement does not specify a start date, duration, application deadline or exact number of students.