Senior II/Staff Mechatronics Engineer

lilasciences

Cambridge, MA USA · Cambridge

Posted Aug 6, 2026

Full-time
Autonomous Science Platform

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Job description

Your Impact at LILA

Lila Sciences is seeking a Senior II/Staff Mechatronics Engineer to join our Advanced Engineering Team to design, develop, and optimize early-stage electromechanical systems, robotics subassemblies and lab instrumentation. This role works directly with scientists to bring new ideas and concepts to reality by bridging hardware, software, electrical, and controls.

What You'll Be Building

Instrument Development: Develop novel mechatronic solutions for scientific and robotic applications including mechanical design, electrical design, and control software.
Collaboration and Support: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers, electrical, software developers, product managers, and end-users, providing technical support and resolving integration challenges promptly.
Rapid Prototyping: Develop rapid proof-of-concepts via prototyping methods such as 3D printing, machining, modifying commercial off-the-shelf items, and repurposing parts from obsolete or decommissioned systems.
Testing and Debugging: Perform rigorous testing, debugging, and troubleshooting of systems and subassemblies to capture experiment data, performance metrics, or inform future design iterations.
Technical Documentation: Create, update, and maintain clear, comprehensive design documentation including technical drawings, integration methods, test plans and reports, facilitating ease of use by internal teams and end-users.
System Integration: Design solutions to integrate custom or existing off-the-shelf components with existing automation frameworks and robotics control systems, ensuring compatibility and stability across multiple platforms.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics or other related Engineering
6-10 years of relevant experience
Strong collaboration skills and experience working directly with end users
High proficiency with C/C++ and Python
Proficiency with microcontrollers (STM-32, Arduino, Raspberry Pi)
Proficiency with CAD software (SolidWorks, Creo, Siemens NX)
Strong experience with rapid prototyping techniques
Expertise specifying and integrating sensors, motors, drives, and associated electrical/electronic hardware, including analog signal types (4-20mA, 0-10V) and discrete I/O
Thrives in a hands-on prototype heavy environment
Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills
Proficiency with version control systems, especially SolidWorks PDM & GitHub
Experience with embedded communication protocols (UART/Serial, SPI, I2C, CAN)

Bonus Points For

Experience designing and fabricating custom PCBs
Experience or familiarity with PLC based systems
Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, RS-232, OPC/UA, MQTT)
Experience with vacuum systems (High Vacuum and Ultra-High Vacuum) or optical systems
Experience in semi-conductor manufacturing

Compensation

We offer competitive base compensation with bonus potential and generous early-stage equity. Your final offer will reflect your background, expertise, and expected impact.

U.S. Benefits. Full-time U.S. employees receive a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and disability insurance; flexible time off with generous company wide holidays; paid parental leave; an educational assistance program; commuter benefits, including bike share memberships for office based employees; and a company subsidized lunch program.

International Benefits. Full-time employees outside the U.S. receive a comprehensive benefits program tailored to their region. USD salary ranges apply only to U.S.-based positions; international salaries are set to local market.

Expected Base Salary Range

$136,800—$217,866 USD

About LILA

Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence™ to solve humankind's greatest challenges. We believe science is the most inspiring frontier for AI. Rather than hard-coding expert knowledge into tools, LILA builds systems that can learn for themselves.

LILA combines advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory™ instruments into an operating system for science that executes the entire scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery at unprecedented speed, scale, and impact across medicine, materials, and energy. Learn more at www.lila.ai.

Guided by our core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity, we move with startup speed while tackling problems of historic importance. If this sounds like an environment you'd love to work in, even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.

We’re All In

Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Information you provide during your application process will be handled in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy.

A Note to Agencies

Lila Sciences does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Lila Sciences or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Lila Science’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Lila Sciences, and Lila Sciences will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.