Senior II/ Staff Engineer, Hardware & Controls Engineering, Mechatronic Controls

Your Impact at Lila

Lila Sciences is seeking a Mechatronics Controls Engineer to design and deliver the real-time control software that brings our custom lab instruments to life. You’ll translate electro‑mechanical designs into reliable, automation-ready systems through robust embedded controls and integration.

What You'll Be Building

• Controls Architecture Development: Lead the design and implementation of real-time control logic and specifying hardware across, Embedded Linux platforms, PLCs and integrated systems, ensuring safe and reliable operation of electro-mechanical systems.
• Instrument Software/Firmware Development: Develop robust control software and firmware for custom lab instrumentation, ensuring reliable, efficient, and safe controls for motors, actuators, sensors, and other motion control systems.
• System Integration: Develop and integrate interfaces (REST APIs and OPC UA endpoints) to bridge the gap between new and existing instrumentation, automation frameworks, and robotics control systems ensuring reliable, cross-platform interoperability.
• Testing and Debugging: Own hardware bring-up, HW‑in‑the‑loop testing, and automation; collaborate closely with EE/ME on requirements and interfaces.
• Technical Documentation: Create, update, and maintain clear, comprehensive documentation for driver interfaces, APIs, and integration methods, facilitating ease of use by internal teams and end-users.
• Collaboration and Support: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including hardware engineers, software developers, product managers, and end-users, providing technical support and resolving integration challenges promptly.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• Proficiency in C/C++ and Python programming languages is essential.
• Experience building control software for mechatronic systems, motion‑control systems, and instruments on Embedded Linux platforms.
• Proven debug skills (schematics, scopes/logic analyzers); drivers for common buses; motion control with servos/steppers/BLDC and encoders.
• Demonstrated ability in debugging and problem-solving hardware-software issues.
• Strong analytical thinking and a structured approach to troubleshooting and resolving complex technical problems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency with version control systems, especially Git.
• 8-12 years of experience with Bachelor's degree in Engineering field or related discipline.

Bonus Points For

• Experience working directly with end-users (e.g., scientists, laboratory technicians), using feedback to drive product improvements.
• Experience developing and integrating PLC control systems especially within the Beckhoff ecosystem.
• Experience incorporating 2D/3D machine vision—camera/lens/lighting selection and calibration, real-time image processing, and vision‑guided motion/inspection.
• Familiarity with developing and designing PCBs.
• familiarity developing HMI or other user interfaces (UI).

About Lila

Lila Sciences is the world’s first scientific superintelligence platform and autonomous lab for life, chemistry, and materials science.  We are pioneering a new age of boundless discovery by building the capabilities to apply AI to every aspect of the scientific method.  We are introducing scientific superintelligence to solve humankind's greatest challenges, enabling scientists to bring forth solutions in human health, climate, and sustainability at a pace and scale never experienced before. Learn more about this mission at  www.lila.ai

If this sounds like an environment you’d love to work in, even if you only have some of the experience listed below, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation

We expect the base salary for this role to fall between $136,800 – $217,866 USD per year, along with bonus potential and generous early equity. The final offer will reflect your unique background, expertise, and impact.

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.

Information you provide during your application process will be handled in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy.

A Note to Agencies

Lila Sciences does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Lila Sciences or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Lila Science’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Lila Sciences, and Lila Sciences will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.