Senior Engineer, Controls Hardware

AirJoule; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

AirJoule is seeking a Senior Engineer, Controls Hardware to own end‑to‑end control system hardware, from architecture to UL‑compliant panels and PCB development. You will lead internal and external design teams, define high‑voltage and low‑voltage architectures, and guide certification processes while hands‑on contributing when needed.

You will collaborate with mechanical engineering and software teams to scale the platform, support production, and drive ruggedization for global deployment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field is required.
• 6+ years of proven electrical engineering design experience in new product development, with hands-on work in mechanical controls, sensor systems, and PCB/control hardware design.

Responsibilities

• Own the overall technical design and development of the control system hardware from architecture through implementation.
• Lead in-house and third-party design, prototyping, and testing of controls hardware with external partners as needed.
• Act as the primary technical resource for controls and electrical design, data acquisition, and controls system requirements.
• Ensure UL 508A compliant panels meet SCCR, labeling, and component selection requirements; hands-on with schematic generation as needed.
• Lead PCB design from schematic capture through layout, prototyping, and validation.
• Define hardware design requirements and design high- and low-voltage circuitry for control systems.
• Review design documents for compliance, constructability, and cost optimization.
• Collaborate with external suppliers and labs for fabrication of electronic controls and sensing systems.
• Support procurement and production with BOMs, data evaluation, and design change inquiries.
• Own the UL certification process end-to-end with UL and regulatory bodies.
• Maintain engineering documentation and refine internal design tools and processes.
• Develop the product control roadmap from system architecture to PCB level and guide platform scaling.
• Work with mechanical engineering, controls software, and applications teams on integration of new requirements.
• Design and install electrical and controls systems for test rigs and assist production troubleshooting.
• Interpret P&ID drawings and propose simplified supplier solutions.
• Lead ruggedization of electrical subsystems for global deployment.
• Partner with Program Management to align milestones with product timelines.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers on the controls hardware team.

Skills

SolidWorks Electrical

High/low voltage systems

Data acquisition

Hardware and embedded systems

UL 508A certification process

PCB design

PLC hardware selection & ladder logic

Electrical cabinet design

Controls & instrumentation

HVAC/refrigeration controls

IoT architectures

Secure networking for embedded systems

Component lifetime testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Mechatronic Engineering or related field

Tools

SolidWorks Electrical

Job description

The Senior Engineer, Controls Hardware owns the controls hardware program for our product end to end. In this role, you will lead the overall design and development of our controls hardware, from architecture through UL compliant system and PCB development, set the strategy for how our control systems evolve as the product platform scales, and lead the onboarding of the external partners and suppliers who support our controls ecosystem. While the role is primarily focused on leadership and strategy, it also requires the ability to step in hands-on when needed, whether that’s design and schematic generation, the production floor, or a test rig.

Key Responsibilities

To perform in this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each key responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

• Own the overall technical design and development of the control system hardware for our atmospheric water generation and dehumidification platform, from architecture through implementation.
• Lead in‑house and third‑party design, prototyping, and testing of controls hardware, partnering with outside design firms and test labs as needed.
• Act as the primary technical resource internally for all controls and electrical design, data acquisition, and controls system requirements.
• Ensure control hardware, including UL 508A compliant panels, meets component selection, short‑circuit current rating (SCCR), and labeling requirements per UL 508A and NFPA 79, stepping in hands‑on with design and schematic generation as needed.
• Lead PCB design from schematic capture through layout, prototyping, and validation.
• Define hardware design requirements and design high‑voltage and low‑voltage circuitry for controls, including but not limited to EEV control logic, compressor VFD integration, and signal processing/conditioning for the sensors that support the system's duty cycles.
• Review and provide feedback on design documents, ensuring compliance, constructability, and cost optimization.
• Collaborate with external refrigeration and controls suppliers, consultants, and outside design firms for fabrication of electronic controls, sensor systems, and connectivity systems.
• Support procurement and production teams with bills of materials, technical data evaluation, and design change inquiries.
• Own the UL certification process end‑to‑end, serving as primary liaison with UL, test labs, and other certification and regulatory bodies.
• Maintain engineering documentation and design control, and manage and refine internal design tools, templates, and processes.
• Develop the product control roadmap from system architecture to circuit board and set strategy for how control systems evolve as the platform scales.
• Work closely with mechanical engineering, controls software, and applications teams to integrate new design requirements, components, or technology.
• Design and install electrical and controls systems that operate test rigs for various subassemblies, and support production floor troubleshooting as needed.
• Read mechanical and refrigerant P&ID drawings and provide feedback for simplified supplier solutions.
• Lead the ruggedization of the electrical subsystems to enable a global deployment strategy.
• Partner with Program Management to align controls hardware milestones with overall product timelines.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers on the control's hardware team

Education and Experience Requirements

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering or related field.
• Minimum Experience: 6+ years of proven electrical engineering design experience in new product development, with hands‑on work in mechanical controls, sensor systems, and PCB/control hardware design, plus direct experience with HVAC, refrigeration, or heat pump‑based system controls.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required:

• Proficiency with SolidWorks Electrical, 2D and 3D, for control panel and electrical system design.
• Working knowledge of low- and high-voltage applications, including single-phase and three-phase power systems (e.g., 208V 3-phase), with a demonstrated safe working record.
• Data acquisition system design and implementation skills.
• Hardware and embedded systems design background.
• Familiarity with the UL listing/certification process for electrical and control hardware, including UL 508A.
• PCB design capability, from schematic capture through layout and validation.
• Experience with PLC hardware selection and ladder logic programming
• Electrical cabinet design and layout expertise, including component selection and wiring.
• Controls and instrumentation background.
• HVAC, refrigeration, or heat pump system controls background.
• Working knowledge of IoT architectures and connected device design.
• Familiarity with secure networking and communication protocols for embedded and controls systems.
• Skilled in component lifetime testing and maintenance schedule optimization.

Preferred:

• Programming proficiency in C++ or Python.
• Experience mentoring or leading junior engineers.
• Experience working directly with outside design firms, test labs, or certification bodies

Physical Requirements

• Extended periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent periods of walking and standing.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional bending, stooping, and reaching.

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.