Precision Instrumentation Control & Estimation Consultant
Job description
About the role
The Astera Institute is seeking a Controls & Systems-Design Consultant to play a critical role in shaping the control-system architecture for a groundbreaking DNA-origami electrostatic actuator. This position involves an early, fractional engagement where the consultant will define the control requirements and constraints that influence the device's physics and molecular design decisions from the outset. The primary focus is to ensure the device is observable and controllable, setting the foundation for subsequent development and experimentation. The role requires close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including physics and wet-lab experts, and involves some on-site work in Emeryville, CA. The successful candidate will have a strong background in control systems, system identification, and estimation, and will be instrumental in guiding early experimental design and device development.
Key facts
What you'll do
- Define the control-system requirements and constraints for the DNA origami actuator-sensor system, including sensor bandwidth, noise floor, latency, actuator drive-signal range, and dynamics; ensure these are integrated into the early device physics and molecular design decisions.
- Review the design of the field-effect transistor (FET) position sensors and electrostatic drive stacks from a controls perspective, identifying choices that could hinder system stability, estimation, or control.
- Specify the data logging requirements for early ensemble and single-molecule experiments, including sampling rates, excitation parameters, and metadata, to ensure data is suitable for system identification and machine learning modeling of the device response.
- Develop a conceptual closed-loop control architecture, including feedback stabilization, averaging, and observers, and outline a simulation and estimation plan that the incoming controls engineer will implement.
- Prepare comprehensive documentation and a clean handoff package for the team, ensuring clarity and usability for future development.
- Collaborate with physics and wet-lab teams to align control requirements with experimental constraints, providing guidance on how control considerations influence device design and testing.
- Assist in planning and reviewing early experiments, ensuring data collection strategies support system identification and control optimization.
- Provide recommendations on control strategies and architectures that can be implemented during initial device testing and refinement.
- Support ongoing refinement of control approaches based on experimental results, helping to troubleshoot and optimize system performance.
- Advise on the integration of control systems into the overall device development process, ensuring that control requirements are considered throughout the design and fabrication stages.
- Contribute to the development of simulation models that predict device behavior under various control scenarios, aiding in the design of robust control algorithms.
- Engage with the team to ensure control system design aligns with project milestones and technical goals, fostering a cohesive development process.
Requirements
- PhD or MS (or equivalent industry experience) in controls, robotics, electrical engineering, or a related field, with hands-on experience in closed-loop control-system design.
- Proven track record translating plant and sensor characteristics into design constraints, especially for noisy, nanoscale, or high-precision instrumentation systems.
- Strong expertise in system identification, estimation techniques such as Kalman filters or observers, and data capture strategies for modeling complex systems.
- Experience advising multidisciplinary teams, including physics and wet-lab personnel, with some on-site collaboration in Emeryville, CA.
- Ability to develop and communicate control architectures, simulation plans, and experimental strategies clearly and effectively.
- Familiarity with control challenges associated with nanoscale or molecular systems, including dealing with noise and uncertainty.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills, especially in complex, multidisciplinary environments where innovative solutions are required.
- Excellent documentation skills, with the ability to produce clear, comprehensive handoff packages and technical reports.
- Knowledge of control system tools and software, such as MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent platforms, is desirable.
Nice to have
- Experience working with electrostatic or molecular-scale systems, particularly in biological or nanoscale contexts.
- Background in experimental design for nanoscale or biological systems, including data collection and analysis.
- Knowledge of control challenges specific to biological or molecular instrumentation.
- Prior experience collaborating with physics or wet-lab teams, understanding their constraints and workflows.
- Familiarity with AI and machine learning integration in control systems, especially for data-driven modeling and control strategies.
- Experience in simulation and modeling of nanoscale devices to predict control system performance.
Skills & tools
- Control system design and analysis
- System identification and estimation (Kalman filters, observers)
- Data logging and experimental design
- Simulation and modeling of control architectures
- Strong communication and documentation skills
- Familiarity with MATLAB, Simulink, or similar control system software
- Ability to develop and interpret complex models of nanoscale systems
- Problem-solving skills in multidisciplinary environments
Practical notes
This position is based in Emeryville, CA, and involves a hybrid work arrangement that combines remote work with occasional on-site collaboration. Some travel may be required for in-person meetings and experimental work. Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience, reflecting the specialized nature of the role. The engagement is a contract, emphasizing deliverables and clear milestones. The ideal candidate will have a passion for pioneering control solutions at the nanoscale, working closely with physics, wet-lab, and engineering teams to influence early device design and experimental strategies. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in molecular control systems and to help shape the future of nanoscale instrumentation.
About the company
Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward an abundant future for all. We believe the coming years will bring an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement as exponential progress in AI converges with central advances in other fields to dramatically accelerate innovation.