Controls Engineer

Position Purpose:

Are you ready to make a meaningful difference in public health and national security? Signature Science is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Controls Engineer to join our dedicated team. This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to directly contribute to projects safeguarding national defense and enhancing chemical/biological safety. As a Controls Engineer, you will be instrumental in the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of robust control systems, ensuring the precise and secure operation of complex scientific and engineering equipment within critical environments. Your expertise will be essential in protecting our nation and advancing vital safety initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and implement control architectures for prototype microfluidic systems in collaboration with other engineers and scientists.

• Integrate sensors and other equipment into pre-existing industrial control architectures.

• Design, procure, and assemble custom PCBs to support the transition from prototype to production

• Work with other disciplines to develop test procedures and quality control methods to ensure consistent system performance and reliability.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Troubleshoot issues, solve difficult technical issues, and analyze data using industry best practices.

• Identify novel research directions and potential funding opportunities.

• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records and documentation.

• Collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers.

• Present research findings at internal and external meetings.

• Stay current with the scientific literature and advancements in the field.

• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and publications

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Minimum 3 years of experience designing, integrating, and testing control strategies for prototype hardware, preferably related to microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip, and flow chemistry systems.

• Demonstrated experience using microcontrollers and single board computers (e.g. Arduino, Raspberry Pi) to control and automate prototype systems.

• Experience establishing serial communication protocols (RS-232, SPI, I2C, UART, RS-485, CAN, etc.) for interfacing and data transfer.

• Familiarity with the translation of P&ID documentation into PLC control algorithms for industrial applications.

• Proficiency with circuit design, PCB layout (using Altium Designer, Eagle, or similar tools), and hands-on soldering and assembly skills.

• Experience designing and implementing battery-powered electronics, with an emphasis on low-power circuit design and energy management.

• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers, chemists, biologists, software engineers, and manufacturing personnel.

• Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and detailed documentation skills for iterative prototyping, validation, and transfer to production.

• Excellent record-keeping and documentation skills.

• Familiarity with sensors and actuators relevant to fluid handling, including pressure sensors, flow sensors, valves, pumps, and temperature controllers.

• Knowledge of fluid dynamics, particularly as applied to microfluidic or precision fluid-handling systems.

• Working knowledge of molecular biology and chemistry workflows like PCR and flow chemistry reactions

• Experience using emerging AI tools or agentic AI systems to achieve specific objectives in a laboratory.

• Experience transitioning prototypes into small-scale production, including component selection for manufacturability, process optimization, and documentation for repeatability.

• Domain knowledge / BizDev

• Prior experience in a public health or national security-focused research or development environment.

• Experience in grant writing or technical report preparation.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related discipline.

Certificates/Licenses:

• None required

Clearance:

• This position requires that the candidate be willing and able to complete a successful background screening for a security clearance. Candidates with an active security clearance will receive preference

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Working Conditions/ Equipment:

This is a full-time, fully on-site position. This position primarily operates during standard business hours, with occasional needs for extended workdays or weekend work to meet project timelines. A significant portion of this role (approximately 50%) involves hands-on laboratory work. You should be comfortable spending extended periods of time conducting experiments and working at a computer. The role may also require occasional domestic travel for conferences, trade shows, or research-related meetings. The ability to lift and carry light loads (under 25 lbs) without assistance is necessary.

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.