Senior Controls Engineer

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

At Illumina, we make systems that use genomics to fight cancer and other diseases. We need your help. Our controls engineers design controllers that create and maintain precise motion, while rejecting disturbances and vibrations. Controller design will include analytical work to develop the controller, along with practical applications of testing the designed controller in a physical instrument. The job will include close collaboration with other engineers, including: mechanical, motion, and thermal engineers; firmware engineers; FPGA engineers; and electrical engineers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop controller architectures
• Evaluate potential disturbances to the system
• Analyze the controller architectures and systems in simulations
• Analyze systems and structures to optimize designs for system stability
• Develop novel controller techniques to minimize the impact of external disturbances
• Test & optimize designed controllers on physical systems
• Successfully transition designs from concept to production
• Perform root cause analysis and lead teams to methodically solve problems
• Communicate clearly with team members and leaders

Required Qualifications

• Familiarity with electromechanical and thermal system modeling and control
• Control theory including dynamic modeling, PID control design, feedforward, and frequency domain analysis
• Experience in digital controller development and analysis
• Programming in Python or C/C++ or similar
• Signal processing including FFT and filter design
• Vibration analysis and modeling
• Experience in practical controller testing on hardware
• Experience in motor selection and qualification (steppers, servos)
• Proven experience successfully transferring designs to manufacturing
• Experience with modeling and analysis programs (Matlab/Simulink or similar)
• Experience managing multiple controllers at different complexities

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced controller concepts, including state space design and LQR
• Experience with thermal control & sensing
• Experience with control of optomechanical systems
• Experience in nanometer-scale precision motion
• Three phase motor control techniques, including field-oriented control (FOC)

Education and experience requirements

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years experience; or equivalent experience

The estimated base salary range for the Senior Controls Engineer role based in the United States of America is: $96,500 - $144,700. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. Compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, an individual's qualifications, location where the role is to be performed, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact To learn more, visit: The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.