Control Engineer

First Search Inc.; Suffield (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

First Search is partnering with LiquidPiston to hire a Controls Engineer to join its growing engineering team in Bloomfield, CT (transitioning to Suffield, CT). The role focuses on system-level control problems, not just calibration, and involves developing, implementing, and validating control solutions on real hardware.

You will work with engineers across electrical, mechanical, and test disciplines to improve engine and power-system controls, update firmware, and analyze test data to drive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and troubleshoot control strategies for LiquidPiston engines and power systems.
• Develop and modify embedded control software and firmware.
• Create control logic for starting, speed control, load management, protection, and shutdown.
• Analyze engine behavior using test data, instrumentation, and controls diagnostics.
• Troubleshoot controls issues on test hardware and identify root causes.
• Integrate sensors, actuators, ECUs, and other controls hardware.
• Validate firmware changes through hands-on testing with real hardware.
• Document strategies, software changes, test results, and engineering decisions.

Skills

Controls engineering

Embedded software

Sensors & actuators

ECUs & hardware

Schematic reading

Diagnostics

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Controls/Computer/Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Test equipment

Firmware debugging

Job description

Location: Bloomfield, CT, transitioning to Suffield, CT

First Search is partnering with LiquidPiston to hire a Controls Engineer to join its growing engineering team. LiquidPiston is an advanced propulsion technology company developing compact, high-efficiency rotary engines and power systems for aerospace, defense, and commercial applications. This is an opportunity to work on a fundamentally different engine architecture and help develop the controls that make next-generation propulsion and power systems operate.

This is not a role focused solely on calibration or tuning existing systems. We’re looking for an engineer who can understand a controls problem at the system level, determine the root cause, develop a solution, implement it, and validate the results on real hardware.

Responibilities:

• Develop, implement, and troubleshoot control strategies for LiquidPiston engines, gensets, and power systems
• Develop and modify embedded control software and firmware
• Develop control logic for engine starting, speed control, load management, protection, and shutdown
• Develop and improve control algorithms and state machines
• Analyze engine and system behavior using test data, instrumentation, and controls diagnostics
• Troubleshoot controls issues directly on test hardware and identify root causes
• Integrate sensors, actuators, ECUs, and other controls hardware
• Implement firmware updates and validate changes through hands-on testing
• Participate in engine and genset testing in the test environment
• Support calibration and optimization as part of broader controls and system development
• Work closely with electrical, mechanical, engine performance, and test engineers as well as technicians
• Document controls strategies, software changes, test results, and engineering decisions
• Help improve controls development and testing processes as LiquidPiston continues to advance its technology

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field
• 3+ years of experience in controls engineering, embedded systems, engine controls, automotive controls, aerospace controls, robotics, or a related area
• Experience developing or modifying embedded control software
• Strong understanding of controls systems and feedback control concepts
• Experience working with sensors, actuators, ECUs, or similar controls hardware
• Experience troubleshooting controls issues using test data and system-level diagnostics
• Ability to read and understand electrical schematics and system-level diagrams
• Experience working directly with physical hardware and test equipment
• Strong analytical and hands-on problem-solving skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced R&D environment where not every problem has an established solution