Principal Controls Engineer

Lumicity; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumicity is seeking a Lead/Principal Controls Engineer to own the controls architecture for a large-scale electromechanical system. You will define how the system operates, responds, protects itself, and transitions from development hardware to production.

You will collaborate with a small multidisciplinary team across controls, electrical, mechanical, and test, focusing on hands-on development, real-time software, HIL testing, and rigorous validation through simulations and bench tests.

Qualifications

• BS or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Controls, Software Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Strong experience developing real-time controls for physical hardware.
• Experience with platforms such as PLC, cRIO, PXI, or comparable real-time systems.
• Strong understanding of closed-loop controls, sequencing logic, fault response, and equipment protection.
• Ability to write, test, and debug controls software using LabVIEW, Python, C/C++, or similar.
• Experience with instrumentation, DAQ, sensors, signal conditioning, and data logging.

Responsibilities

• Architect and develop the controls platform for a complex electromechanical system.
• Design closed-loop control strategies across startup, normal operation, transient conditions, and shutdown.
• Write and debug real-time control software.
• Build and validate controls through simulation, bench testing, and Hardware-in-the-Loop environments.
• Define I/O architecture and integrate sensors, actuators, drives, and associated hardware.
• Develop data acquisition and operational instrumentation systems.

Skills

Real-time controls

Closed-loop controls

Instrumentation & DAQ

Control software testing

HIL testing

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical/Mechanical/Aerospace/Controls/Software Engineering

Tools

PLC

cRIO

PXI

LabVIEW

Python

C/C++

Job description

I'm working with an early-stage startup developing a new generation of high-performance energy hardware and are looking for a Lead/Principal Controls Engineer to take ownership of the controls architecture for a complex, large-scale physical system.

This is not a role where you’ll inherit a finished controls stack and make incremental improvements. You’ll be involved from the ground up, defining how the system operates, responds, protects itself, and transitions from development hardware into a functioning product.

You’ll work closely with a small multidisciplinary engineering team across controls, electrical, mechanical, fluids, and test.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Architect and develop the controls platform for a complex electromechanical system
• Design closed-loop control strategies across startup, normal operation, transient conditions, and shutdown
• Write and debug real-time control software
• Build and validate controls through simulation, bench testing, and Hardware-in-the-Loop environments
• Define I/O architecture and integrate sensors, actuators, drives, and associated hardware
• Develop data acquisition and operational instrumentation systems

What We’re Looking For

• BS or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Controls, Software Engineering, or a related discipline
• Strong experience developing real-time controls for physical hardware
• Experience with platforms such as PLC, cRIO, PXI, or comparable real-time systems
• Strong understanding of closed-loop controls, sequencing logic, fault response, and equipment protection
• Ability to write, test, and debug controls software using LabVIEW, Python, C/C++, or similar
• Experience with instrumentation, DAQ, sensors, signal conditioning, and data logging
• Comfortable working directly with complex hardware and understanding the physics behind the system

Preferred Experience

Experience with turbomachinery, aerospace/propulsion systems, power generation, industrial automation, HIL testing, or other complex electromechanical systems is highly relevant.

If you’ve built controls for complex physical systems and enjoy seeing your software actually drive real-world hardware, I’d be interested in speaking.