Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer

LiquidPiston is seeking a Controls Engineer to design, develop, troubleshoot, and improve the control systems that operate our next-generation rotary engines and power systems. This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who enjoys working on innovative technologies, understanding how a system behaves, identifying why it isn't working as expected, and developing practical solutions. You won't simply be tuning tables or working within a narrowly defined controls function. You'll work across the engine, genset, instrumentation, firmware, and test environment to understand problems at the system level and help drive them to resolution.

The Controls Engineer will work closely with mechanical engineers, engine performance engineers, technicians, and test engineers to develop and improve control strategies, implement firmware changes, analyze test data, and troubleshoot issues on real hardware. The ideal candidate is curious, analytical, and comfortable getting into the details. You should be someone who can take a controls problem from "something isn't working" to understanding the root cause, developing a solution, implementing it, and validating the result.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and troubleshoot control strategies for LiquidPiston engines, gensets, and associated power systems.
• Develop and modify embedded control software and firmware for engine and power system applications.
• Work with engine, electrical, mechanical, and test engineers to define and implement control requirements.
• Analyze engine and system behavior using test data, instrumentation, and control-system diagnostics.
• Troubleshoot controls issues on test hardware and identify root causes rather than simply addressing symptoms.
• Develop control logic for engine operation, including starting, speed control, load management, protection, and shutdown strategies.
• Support integration of sensors, actuators, ECUs, and other control-system hardware.
• Develop and improve control algorithms and state machines.
• Participate in engine and genset testing and support troubleshooting directly in the test environment.
• Work with technicians and test engineers to reproduce and diagnose controls-related problems.
• Implement firmware updates and validate changes through testing.
• Support calibration and optimization of control parameters as part of broader system development.
• Document control strategies, software changes, test results, and engineering decisions.
• Help establish and improve controls development, testing, and troubleshooting processes.
• Contribute to the development of next-generation propulsion and power-generation platforms.

Qualifications: Required skills:

• 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 field.
• Experience developing or modifying embedded control software.
• Strong understanding of control systems and feedback control concepts.
• Experience working with sensors, actuators, ECUs, or similar control 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 problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, hands-on R&D environment.

Preferred skills:

• Experience with engine controls, powertrain controls, gensets, or other power-generation systems.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink or similar modeling and controls-development tools.
• Experience with embedded C/C++.
• Experience with CAN/CANbus and related communication protocols.
• Experience with Motec or similar engine control systems.
• Experience with calibration and engine testing.
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems and test instrumentation.
• Experience troubleshooting control systems on physical hardware.
• Understanding of internal combustion engines and engine operating principles.
• Experience working in aerospace, defense, automotive, motorsports, or other high-performance engineering environments.

Benefits & Perks:

• PTO: We value work–life balance and encourage time to rest and recharge.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical and voluntary dental, and vision coverage - you choose what works best for you.
• Equity Participation: Employees may receive RSUs (Restricted Stock Units).
• 401(k) Match: We offer a 401k w/100% matching up to 3% of your salary and then 50% of contributions between 3-5% after 1 year of employment.
• Career Growth: Ongoing training, mentorship, and learning opportunities to accelerate your growth.

Our Culture: At LiquidPiston, we embrace challenges, move fast, and celebrate curiosity. Our team thrives on collaboration, creativity, and perseverance. We understand that innovation involves risk - and we're not afraid to fail as we move forward. Equal Opportunity Employer: LiquidPiston, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will not be discriminated against, and receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status or disability. All offers of employment at LiquidPiston are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screening.