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Salary: USD 136,800 - 217,866 / annual
Lila Sciences is seeking a Senior II/Staff Mechatronics Engineer to join the Advanced Engineering Team, designing and optimizing early-stage electromechanical systems, robotics subassemblies, and lab instrumentation. This role bridges hardware, software, electrical, and controls engineering, working directly with scientists to translate concepts into functional systems.
Key responsibilities include developing novel mechatronic solutions for scientific and robotic applications with integrated mechanical design, electrical design, and control software. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, software developers, product managers, and end-users—to provide technical support and resolve integration challenges. The role emphasizes rapid prototyping using 3D printing, machining, COTS modifications, and repurposing decommissioned components.
You will perform rigorous testing, debugging, and troubleshooting of systems and subassemblies to capture performance metrics and inform design iterations. Technical documentation is critical: creating and maintaining design drawings, integration methods, test plans, and reports for internal teams and end-users. System integration work involves designing solutions to combine custom or off-the-shelf components with existing automation frameworks and robotics control systems.
Required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, or related engineering discipline, plus 6–10 years of relevant experience. Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python, microcontroller platforms (STM-32, Arduino, Raspberry Pi), and CAD software (SolidWorks, Creo, Siemens NX) is essential. You must have deep experience with rapid prototyping, sensor/motor/drive specification and integration, analog signal types (4-20mA, 0-10V), discrete I/O, embedded communication protocols (UART/Serial, SPI, I2C, CAN), and version control (SolidWorks PDM, GitHub). A hands-on, prototype-heavy environment and strong troubleshooting skills are required.
Bonus qualifications include custom PCB design and fabrication, PLC-based systems, industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, RS-232, OPC/UA, MQTT), vacuum systems (high and ultra-high vacuum), optical systems, and semiconductor manufacturing experience.
Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence to solve major challenges by combining advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory instruments into an operating system for science that executes the scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery across medicine, materials, and energy.
