Contract

Controls & Systems-Design Consultant

Astera

Posted

Jul 23, 2026

Location

Remote

Type

Contract

Mission

What you will drive

  • Define control-system requirements and constraints for the DNA Origami actuatorโ€“sensor system, including sensor bandwidth, noise floor, latency, actuator drive-signal range, and end-to-end observability.
  • Review field-effect position-sensor and electrostatic drive-stack designs through a controls lens to flag choices that hinder stabilization, identification, or estimation.
  • Specify data logging requirements for early experiments to support system identification and ML modeling.
  • Sketch closed-loop control architecture and simulation/estimation plan for handoff to incoming full-time Controls engineer.

Impact

The difference you'll make

This role directly enables the development of a DNA-origami electrostatic actuator, advancing molecular-scale control systems that could revolutionize fields like nanomedicine, materials science, and biotechnology, steering science toward an abundant future.

Profile

What makes you a great fit

  • PhD or MS (or equivalent industry depth) in controls, robotics, electrical engineering, or related field with hands-on closed-loop control-system design.
  • Track record translating plant and sensor characteristics into design constraints, ideally for noisy, nanoscale, or precision-instrumentation systems.
  • Strength in system identification and estimation (Kalman filters/observers) and specifying data capture for later modeling.
  • Comfort advising a physics and wet-lab team fractionally with occasional on-site collaboration.

Benefits

What's in it for you

Competitive contract rate commensurate with experience and scope. Remote-friendly with occasional on-site collaboration in Emeryville, CA. Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology at a high-velocity, mission-driven foundation.