Skills

Additive Manufacturingunmatched

Algorithmsunmatched

Allen-Bradleyunmatched

Analog Microwave or Powerunmatched

Analysis Skillsunmatched

Architectural Designunmatched

Automationunmatched

CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) Systemsunmatched

Commission Controlsunmatched

Commissioningunmatched

Communication Skillsunmatched

Communications Protocolsunmatched

Continuous Improvementunmatched

Control Engineeringunmatched

Control Systemsunmatched

Data Analysisunmatched

Dental Insuranceunmatched

Design Servicesunmatched

Detail Orientedunmatched

Documentationunmatched

Electrical Engineeringunmatched

Electrical Wiringunmatched

Electricityunmatched

Electromagnetismunmatched

Electronic Designunmatched

Electronicsunmatched

Ethernetunmatched

Experiment Designunmatched

FPGAunmatched

Financial Controlunmatched

Hardware Quality Assuranceunmatched

Health Insuranceunmatched

Heat Treatmentunmatched

IP (Internet Protocol)unmatched

ISO (International Organization for Standardization)unmatched

Identify Issuesunmatched

Input/Outputunmatched

Instrumentationunmatched

Integration Testingunmatched

International Electro-Technical Commission (IEC)unmatched

Laser Scienceunmatched

Leadershipunmatched

Logic Testingunmatched

Manufacturing Systemsunmatched

Manufacturing Technologyunmatched

Material Scienceunmatched

Mechanical Engineeringunmatched

Metal Cuttingunmatched

Metal Manufacturingunmatched

Microcontrollerunmatched

Motion Controlunmatched

Predictive Modelingunmatched

Printersunmatched

Printingunmatched

Problem Solving Skillsunmatched

Process Control Engineeringunmatched

Process Developmentunmatched

Process Engineeringunmatched

Product Developmentunmatched

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)unmatched

Prototypingunmatched

Realtime Programmingunmatched

Research & Development (R&D)unmatched

Safety Systemsunmatched

Schematicsunmatched

Servomechanismunmatched

Signal Processingunmatched

Stability Analysisunmatched

Team Playerunmatched

Test Designunmatched

Thermal Managementunmatched

Thermal Physicsunmatched

Time Managementunmatched

Vision Planunmatched

Waveformsunmatched

Weldingunmatched

Description

Benefits:

401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance

About the Role
We are seeking a driven and curious R&D Controls Engineer to join our team developing next-generation metal additive manufacturing systems, including Liquid Metal Jetting (LMJ) and Laser-Assisted Directed Energy Deposition (DED) 3D printers.

You'll work at the intersection of laser physics, thermal control, CNC/PLC programming, and real-time systems. The role involves designing control architectures that coordinate sensors and actuators at interpolation cycle rates, developing advanced waveform generation for electromagnetic coil drivers, and collaborating with an external automation integrator (similar to a CSI-type relationship) to push the Siemens Sinumerik platform for additive manufacturing R&D.

We value mindset over checkbox credentials. If you have a solid controls or automation foundation and the self-motivation to learn new systems quickly, this role will give you the opportunity to work on problems that very few teams in the world are tackling.

Key Responsibilities

Design, implement, and tune closed-loop control systems for real-time thermal management during metal additive manufacturing.
Develop PLC logic and CNC synchronized actions for coordinating printing.
Implement PID and advanced control strategies (feedforward, adaptive gain scheduling).
Architect and configure CNC/PLC analog and digital I/O for integrating sensors (pyrometers, thermocouples) and actuators (laser power supplies, shutters, micro-motor pyrometer steering)
Develop and validate control algorithms that adapt to varying print speeds, toolpath geometries, and thermal conditions
Develop advanced waveform generation for electromagnetic coil drivers — including sub-thresholding pulse patterns, variable pulse widths, and complex frequency profiles using the Prio card or equivalent hardware
Collaborate with the print optimization and path planning team to ensure control strategies align with toolpath direction, speed profiles, and feature-type transitions
Serve as the internal bridge to automation integrators and Siemens support for CNC/PLC platform issues
Instrument and characterize system dynamics — measure plant transfer functions, identify thermal time constants, and size controller bandwidth accordingly
Support machine commissioning, integration testing, and design-of-experiments for process development
Maintain rigorous documentation of control architectures, tuning parameters, commissioning procedures, and test results

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Mechanical Engineering with controls focus (or equivalent demonstrated experience)
2+ years of experience designing and implementing closed-loop control systems in industrial or R&D environments
Strong foundation in classical control theory: PID tuning, stability analysis, frequency response, and system identification
Hands-on PLC programming experience (Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley, or similar industrial automation platforms)
Experience with real-time sensor integration (pyrometers, thermocouples, photodiodes, or similar high-speed analog instrumentation)
Experience configuring and commissioning industrial motion control systems (multi-axis CNC, servo drives, or motion controllers)
Ability to read, develop, and troubleshoot electrical schematics and control panel wiring
Proficiency with at least one industrial communication protocol (EtherCAT, PROFINET, Ethernet/IP)

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Siemens Sinumerik CNC systems — synchronized actions ($A_INA, $A_OUTA, WHENEVER/DO), structured text, machine data configuration
Experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT or similar real-time platforms
Familiarity with laser systems — power modulation, analog control interfaces, safety interlocks
Experience with non-contact temperature measurement (pyrometry) including spectral filtering and emissivity considerations
Background in thermal process control (welding, heat treatment, laser processing, or additive manufacturing)
Knowledge of advanced control methods: feedforward compensation, Smith predictors for transport delay, gain scheduling, or model-predictive control
Electronics design experience — particularly H-bridge circuits, high-current motor drivers, or power electronics
FPGA or microcontroller programming for custom waveform generation or high-speed signal processing
Familiarity with G-code/CNC part program structure and post-processor development
Experience with machine safety systems (STO, SS1, SLS) and relevant standards (IEC 62443, ISO 13849)

Mindset & Attributes (What Matters Most)

Curious and self-motivated— the kind of engineer who hangs around, asks questions, and tries to figure things out without being told. This is the #1 trait we're looking for
Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset — able to diagnose issues across mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software domains simultaneously
Self-directed and resourceful in an R&D environment where requirements evolve and solutions aren't predefined
Comfortable iterating rapidly: prototype control logic, test on hardware, analyze data, refine
Clear communicator who can explain control system behavior to mechanical engineers, process engineers, and leadership
Collaborative and low-ego — willing to support builds, run experiments, and do hands-on work alongside design work
Comfortable working with external vendors and automation integrators as technical counterpart
Detail-oriented with a systems-level perspective — understands how a control loop interacts with toolpath planning, thermal physics, and part quality

What We Offer

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge metal additive manufacturing technology at the frontier of closed-loop process control
Direct impact on product development — your control systems directly determine print quality and material properties
A collaborative, low-ego team environment focused on innovation and execution
Exposure to multidisciplinary challenges spanning controls, laser physics, materials science, and CNC systems
A culture that values curiosity, initiative, and continuous improvement

Even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we strongly encourage you to apply. We'relooking for engineers with the right mindset — people who are curious, self-driven, and excited to learn. If you have a solid technical foundation and the motivation to push boundaries, our team will provide the guidance and resources to get you up to speed quickly. The right attitude and aptitude matter far more than checking every box.

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