Engineer II /Senior Controls Engineer

About the role

Lila Sciences is seeking a seasoned Engineer II / Senior Engineer, Control Systems Design to lead the design and development of control systems for automated scientific equipment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing and implementing control systems using PLC and SCADA technologies to optimize laboratory workflows and promote future scalability.
• Support the integration of advanced robotics into automation systems, ensuring smooth operation within existing frameworks.
• Aid in the integration of 3rd party equipment and vendor software, development of wrappers to connect equipment to existing controls systems.
• Design of safety systems with PLCs to safely operate a mix of equipment, robotics, and conveyance systems.
• Collaborate with software teams to integrate control systems with broader IT/OT factory infrastructure.
• Develop comprehensive engineering documentation including P&ID diagrams, wiring schematics, control narratives, and instrument IO lists.
• Lead complex automation projects, defining controls scope, setting milestones, managing vendors, and ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Oversee calibration, testing, and validation of control systems to meet strict performance, accuracy, and safety standards.
• Interface with subject matter experts (SMEs) and cross-functional internal customers to gather requirements, understand challenges, and deliver tailored automation solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system reliability and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience in designing and implementing complex control systems for automated laboratory environments.
• Extensive knowledge of PLCs, HMI, SCADA, and related automation software and hardware.
• Experience with industrial networking in OT deployments, network routing, security groups, VPNs, etc.
• Strong proficiency in creating detailed engineering documents and schematics using tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks Electrical, or similar.
• Proven experience with robotics integration and programming using structured text.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for engaging with SMEs and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and a commitment to excellence.

Bonus Points

• HMI design and Ignition Gold Certified.
• Structured text programming experience in TwinCAT, Python, C++, etc.
• Use of communication protocols like OPC-UA, MQTT, and REST APIs.
• Safety system design and classification like SIL or PL.
• Configuration of managed network switches, port addressing/IP subnetting, and DHCP services.
• Ability to troubleshoot traffic flows between OT networks and AWS cloud instances.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Professional certifications in relevant areas such as PLC programming, SCADA, or HMI.

Skills

• Advanced control systems design and implementation.
• Integration of robotics and PLC technologies.
• Automation project management and delivery.
• Engineering documentation creation and maintenance.
• Collaboration with software and hardware teams.
• Technical leadership and mentoring.
• Continuous improvement and innovation.

Benefits

• Competitive base compensation with bonus potential and early-stage equity.
• U.S. benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and disability insurance; flexible time off; paid parental leave; educational assistance program; bike share memberships; and a company subsidized lunch program.
• International benefits: Tailored benefits program based on location.

Pay

Expected Base Salary Range: $93,600 USD - $158,400 USD

Schedule

Full-time position.

Contact

If this sounds like an environment you'd love to work in, even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. We’re All In Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.