Controls Engineer

TL;DR

Controls Engineer (PLC/SCADA/Robotics): Design, develop, and implement control systems for automated scientific laboratory equipment with an accent on PLC programming, robotics integration, safety systems, and workflow optimization. Focus on integrating third-party equipment, creating custom HMIs, troubleshooting hardware/software challenges, and ensuring system reliability under performance standards.

Location: Cambridge, MA, USA

Salary: $75,600 - $124,800 USD

Company

hirify.global builds Scientific Superintelligence™ combining advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory™ instruments to autonomously execute the scientific method and accelerate discovery in medicine, materials, and energy.

What you will do

• Design, program, and deploy PLC and SCADA control systems to optimize laboratory workflows.
• Integrate and test robotics, conveyance systems, and third-party equipment into automation frameworks.
• Develop custom HMIs and safety systems for lab equipment and robotics operation.
• Collaborate with software teams to integrate controls with IT/OT infrastructure.
• Maintain engineering documentation including P&ID diagrams, schematics, and IO lists.
• Perform calibration, testing, troubleshooting, and validation of control systems.

Requirements

• 2–4 years of experience in designing, implementing, or maintaining control systems in automated manufacturing or laboratory environments.
• Solid understanding of PLCs, HMI, SCADA, and related automation software/hardware.
• Familiarity with industrial networking basics (IP addressing, routing).
• Experience reading/creating engineering documents and schematics (AutoCAD, SolidWorks Electrical).
• Hands-on experience in robotics integration and programming.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.

Nice to have

• Ignition SCADA Core training and HMI design experience.
• Structured text programming in TwinCAT, Python, C++.
• Familiarity with OPC-UA, MQTT, REST APIs.
• Exposure to safety system design (SIL, PL).
• Knowledge of managed switches, subnetting, DHCP, OT-cloud traffic troubleshooting.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive compensation with bonus potential and generous early equity.
• Guided by core values: truth, trust, curiosity, grit, velocity.
• Startup speed environment tackling historic scientific challenges.
• Encourages applications even if not meeting every qualification.