Controls Engineer

AirJoule; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

AirJoule is looking for a skilled Controls Engineer in Newark, Delaware, focusing on Python Software Development & Automation. The role involves designing and maintaining software for automation and control system integration, emphasizing Python development for machine operations and instrumentation.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science and 3+ years of experience in relevant environments. Strong troubleshooting and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 3+ years professional experience writing Python in production environments.
• Strong understanding of performance and reliability considerations.
• Hands-on experience integrating software with hardware systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Python-based automation software.
• Integrate sensors and actuators into software workflows.
• Create Python test automation frameworks for validation.

Skills

Python Development

Automation Integration

Troubleshooting

Communication Skills

Data Acquisition

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science

Tools

Git

AWS IoT

MQTT

Job description

Position Summary

AirJoule is seeking a Controls Engineer (Python Software Development & Automation) to design, develop, and maintain software used for automation, control system integration, and operational tooling. This role will heavily emphasize Python development to support machine automation, instrumentation integration, data acquisition, test automation, and system monitoring.

The ideal candidate is a strong Python developer who also understands controls fundamentals and industrial systems, and can build reliable software that supports commissioning, operation, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Python Software Development for Controls & Automation

• Develop and maintain Python-based automation software supporting system operation, commissioning, and diagnostics.
• Build modular, maintainable Python code for:
• control sequencing / automation workflows
• system interlocks, permissives, and fault handling
• command and control interfaces for hardware subsystems
• Create reusable libraries for interacting with instrumentation and controls hardware.

Instrumentation and Hardware Integration

• Integrate sensors, actuators, valves, motors, pumps, and power electronics into software workflows.
• Implement and maintain communication interfaces using Python, such as:
• Modbus TCP/RTU
• OPC UA
• EtherNet/IP (where applicable via gateways/APIs)
• Serial protocols (RS-232/RS-485)
• TCP/IP sockets and vendor APIs
• Develop software interfaces to PLCs, PCBA, industrial PCs, DAQs, and embedded controllers.

Automation Tooling, Test Frameworks, and Commissioning Support

• Create Python test automation frameworks for validation of controls logic and hardware behavior.
• Develop automated tools for:
• I/O checkout
• regression testing of system sequences
• Support lab bring-up and commissioning with rapid debugging and iterative software improvement.

Data Acquisition, Logging, and Analytics

• Build Python pipelines for:
• real-time data acquisition from sensors and control systems
• structured logging and event/alarm recording
• performance monitoring and anomaly detection
• Implement clean data interfaces for engineering review and operational optimization.
• Support integration with databases, historians, or cloud systems (as needed).

System Reliability and Continuous Improvement

• Improve automation reliability through:
• robust error handling and safe recovery routines
• watchdogs, heartbeat monitoring, and state validation
• improved diagnostic visibility (logs, traces, dashboards)
• Reduce downtime by improving fault detection and troubleshooting workflows.

Documentation and Software Quality

• Write clear technical documentation for Python tools, APIs, and control workflows.
• Use best practices including:
• version control (Git)
• unit/integration testing
• packaging and dependency management
• CI practices where applicable

Education and Experience Requirements

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum Experience: 3+ years professional experience writing Python in production, automation, or controls environments.
• Strong understanding of software fundamentals:
• performance and reliability considerations
• Hands‑on experience integrating software with hardware systems.

Preferred Experience

• MQTT broker architecture and topic design
• AWS IoT or similar cloud telemetry platform experience
• Deployment experience in cellular bandwidth‑constrained, or air‑gapped environments
• Understanding of security fundamentals: certificate / key management, MQTT authentication, ACLs, and firewalls
• Familiarity with PLC programming (ladder logic and / or Structured Text)
• Familiarity with embedded systems and hardware‑software integration testing
• Experience with controls/automation systems (industrial, lab automation, robotics, or process systems).
• Familiarity with PLC systems and industrial automation (Rockwell / Siemens / Beckhoff / Codesys).
• Experience with:
• Python async systems, multiprocessing, threading
• GUI development for engineering/operator tools (PyQt, Dash, Streamlit)
• MQTT / REST APIs / gRPC
• Experience with Linux & Windows‑based systems and deployment on industrial PCs.
• Understanding of PID loops, state machine, and control theory fundamentals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work across software + hardware boundaries.
• Strong troubleshooting ability in real‑world environments (imperfect sensors, noisy signals, intermittent faults)
• Proficiency with Microsoft office.
• Strong organizational, analytical, detail‑oriented and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Core Competencies & Soft Skills
• Strong attention to detail and disciplined approach to change management.
• Clear, effective communicator across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Self‑driven, organized, and capable of managing multiple ECRs in parallel.
• Proactive, solution‑oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and product excellence.

Other Requirements

• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. AirJoule is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.