Senior Controls Engineer

Overview:

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Controls Engineer to lead the design development and implementation of advanced control systems and software for high-energy laser systems. You will work cross-functionally with optical mechanical and electrical engineering teams to develop robust control architectures real-time software and system automation solutions.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Design develop and deploy control systems and software for large complex laser systems

• Develop and maintain real-time control algorithms for precision motion thermal regulation and laser operation

• Architect and implement PLC embedded and PC-based control systems

• Integrate hardware components including sensors actuators motion systems and laser subsystems

• Develop HMI/GUI interfaces for system monitoring diagnostics and operator control

• Perform system modeling simulation and performance optimization

• Lead system integration testing and commissioning activities

• Troubleshoot and resolve complex system issues in both development and production environments

• Establish and enforce controls standards documentation and best practices

• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across projects

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Electrical Engineering Controls Engineering Mechatronics or related field

• 10 years of experience in controls engineering

• Strong experience with:

  • Control system design (PID state-space advanced control methods)

  • PLC programming

  • Embedded systems or real-time software development

  • Programming languages such as C/C Python or MATLAB/Simulink

  • Experience with motion control systems (servo motors precision positioning)

  • Strong system integration and debugging skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with laser systems photonics or optical equipment

• Experience developing controls architectures and state diagrams and models for vacuum systems or cooling systems

• Experience with developing controls systems to meet safety standards (e.g. laser safety personnel safety machine safety)

• Experience with FPGA development or high-speed data acquisition systems

• Experience developing automated test systems

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to work on complex multidisciplinary systems

• Excellent communication and technical documentation skills

• Leadership mindset with the ability to drive projects to completion

• Detail-oriented with a focus on system reliability and performance

Salary & Benefits:

The base salary range for this role is $200000 - $260000; The pay range provided is an estimated base range for this role. Exact compensation may vary based on skills experience and education.

We offer market-competitive compensation and an excellent benefits program including Medical Dental and Vision plans company-paid holidays matching 401k and more!

About Inertia:

Inertia is taking the most direct scientifically-proven path to commercializing fusion leveraging the only successful achievement of fusion ignition using a process that was pioneered at the U.S. Department of Energys (DOE) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). With groundbreaking innovation transformative technology and multi-year investment Inertia is committed to commercializing fusion energy in the next decade.

Required Experience:

Senior IC