Controls Engineer

What the role is

• Testing, deploying, and maintaining the control systems that operate Marvel Fusion's ultra-high-intensity laser systems and experimental infrastructure.
• Installing control systems in a new state-of-the-art laser research lab and commissioning them for coherent, reliable operation of laser systems, diagnostics, vacuum systems, and safety interlocks.
• Supporting day-to-day operations by developing, maintaining, and operating control systems and continuously developing their capabilities for increased performance and reliability.
• Working closely with experimental teams, understanding needs of internal and external users of the facility, constantly evolving the control systems to increase facility uptime, improve its efficiency, safety, security.
• Occasionally traveling to other Marvel Fusion and partner sites, primarily within the US and occasionally worldwide, to support system integration, commissioning, and experimental campaigns.
• An ideal job for engineers who enjoy deploying and integrating control and automation systems, thrive in hands-on environments, and want to take ownership of their full lifecycle from commissioning through operations.

What you will own

Facility & Infrastructure Setup

• Support the testing and build-out of control system infrastructure for a new laser laboratory, including network architecture, hardware selection, software control, and safety systems.
• Assist with the deployment of PLCs, motion controllers, data acquisition systems, and timing/synchronization hardware.
• Help establish controls standards, naming conventions, and configuration management practices.

Controls Development & Integration

• Develop, and test control system software for laser systems, diagnostics, vacuum systems, and safety interlocks.
• Integrate diverse subsystems into a unified control framework, ensuring reliable communication, sequencing, and data flow.
• Develop operator interfaces (GUIs/HMIs) that give experimentalists clear, intuitive access to system status and control.
• Implement automated sequences for laser operation, alignment routines, and data collection.

Operations & Maintenance

• Support control systems during experimental and development campaigns, troubleshooting issues and adapting configurations in real time.
• Perform routine maintenance, software updates, and system health monitoring.
• Maintain documentation including system architecture diagrams, wiring schematics, software repositories, and operating procedures.

What you bring

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience deploying control systems for scientific research or industrial facilities.
• Proficiency in E-Plan and/or controls hardware design.
• Proficiency in at least one controls-relevant language or framework such as Python, LabVIEW, EPICS, or TANGO.
• Practical experience with PLC programming, motion control, or industrial automation platforms.
• Familiarity with hardware interfaces including serial, Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT, or GPIB.
• Basic understanding of machine and personnel safety requirements for laboratory environments.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative working style.
• Proactive, hands-on mindset with comfort working in evolving, sometimes unstructured environments.
• Strong willingness and flexibility to collaborate on a wide variety of projects in different fields.

Nice to have

• Experience helping stand up control systems for new laboratories, test facilities, or experimental laser or particle beamlines.
• Background in EPICS, TANGO, or other large-scale facility control frameworks.
• Exposure to high-power or ultrafast laser environments, accelerator facilities, or national lab settings.
• Experience with timing and synchronization systems for pulsed laser or pulsed-power operations.
• Prior experience working with cleanroom and vacuum systems.
• Familiarity with machine safety standards (IEC 62443, IEC 61508) and safety-rated control architectures.
• Knowledge of database and archiving tools for experimental data (e.g., Archiver Appliance, InfluxDB, HDF5).
• Experience with version control, CI/CD pipelines, and containerized deployment for controls software.
• Comfort working in startup or fast-changing environments.

The pay range for this position is: $100,000 - $148,256 per year.

The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Marvel Fusion. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Marvel Fusion also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Candidates may be considered for other positions at Marvel Fusion, and our actual base salary will be determined on an individual basis and may vary depending on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The range is published in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

What we offer

• An opportunity to make a huge impact on the future of our planet by making clean, safe, and abundant energy possible.
• Flexible working hours-wise and work environment.
• A highly competitive compensation and benefits package including:
  • Premiere Health, Dental, and Vision insurance for employees and their families
  • Short‑term and Long‑term disability
  • 401(k) Pension plan
  • Phone Bill reimbursement
  • Employee Incentive Programm
  • Learning & Development Budget
  • Flexible PTO:
    • 31 days PTO: 21 paid vacation days, up to 10 sick days
    • 11 Company‑wide holidays
    • Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave