About us

Founded in 2015 to develop the world’s first industrially scalable laser metal additive manufacturing solution, VulcanForms is reshaping how the world manufactures critical products. We build and operate advanced digital infrastructure that enables innovation, accelerates growth, and supports sustainability across aerospace, defense, medical, and other essential industries. Through our vertically integrated capabilities, including scalable additive manufacturing and precision machining, we deliver true end-to-end production at scale by combining cutting-edge technology with a foundation of proven industrial craftsmanship. Our team brings deep expertise in manufacturing, materials science, software, automation, and operations, united by a shared commitment to quality, curiosity, and accountability. We foster an inclusive culture where people take ownership, solve meaningful problems, and continuously learn, because we believe diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes.

VulcanForms Inc. seeks a Controls Engineer for our Devens, MA, location.

Job Purpose

As a Controls Engineer, you’ll own the commissioning and integration of our industrial machines – making sure each printer is fully production-ready and helping us accelerate scale-up. You’ll lead setup, testing, and troubleshooting on the factory floor, solving real-time automation challenges and building robust control systems that keep machines running smoothly.

Working closely with mechanical, electrical, software, and operations teams, you’ll drive improvements that enable faster, more efficient commissioning of multiple machines in parallel. Beyond commissioning, you’ll contribute to automation frameworks and system upgrades that boost reliability, precision, and throughput, directly impacting our ability to deliver complex parts at speed and quality.

This is a hands-on, high-impact role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and wants to shape the future of advanced manufacturing systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of commissioning, integration, and initial startup of industrial printers and ancillary printing cell systems, bringing each machine to production readiness while helping reduce average commissioning time to meet ramp targets.
• Perform detailed commissioning tasks independently, from board-level configuration to full operational validation and troubleshooting of hardware and software issues, demonstrating strong hands-on technical expertise.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware, electrical, and software issues that arise during machine use – such as tool path loading failures – to minimize downtime and keep production on schedule.
• Test and validate new control hardware and software systems to confirm reliability and high performance before transitioning machines into production.
• Build strong cross-functional partnerships with mechanical, electrical, software, and operations teams to drive clear communication, smooth coordination, and accelerated machine readiness.
• Create, update, and maintain system-level documentation – including work instructions, electrical schematics, and process guides – uploaded to the Quality Management System (QMS) to support repeatability and team-wide knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to the development of scalable automation tools and frameworks that reduce commissioning time and increase system reliability, while spearheading upgrades that boost machine precision, throughput, and stability.
• Support quality and compliance initiatives by executing Installation Qualification (IQ), advancing Manufacturing Maturity Process (MMP) milestones, and helping shift acceptance testing responsibilities to the build team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Robotics Engineering – or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 3+ years of experience in designing, developing, commissioning, and troubleshooting hardware and software for industrial control systems.
• Proficiency with modern control systems, including motion control (single- and multi-axis), industrial safety systems, HMIs, process monitoring, and industrial networking.
• Demonstrated proficiency in at least three IEC 61131-3 programming languages (preferably Structured Text and Sequential Function Chart).
• Hands-on experience with automation platforms like B&R (preferred), Beckhoff, or similar.
• Skilled in reading and creating electrical schematics; comfortable selecting and sizing control and power components.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills; able to work effectively across engineering and operations teams.

Preferred

• Experience with additive manufacturing (e.g., Powder Bed Fusion (PBF), Directed Energy Deposition (DED), or Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS).
• Comfortable using version control software like GitHub in multi-developer environments.
• Experience with a wide range of industrial sensors and actuators, and the ability to recommend/select components for specific applications.
• Demonstrated experience tuning closed-loop systems to control variables such as position, pressure, flow, and temperature.
• Strong documentation skills, including root cause analysis, software design specs, and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs).
• Familiarity with Quality Management Systems (QMS) and commissioning-related protocols such as FAT, SACT, IQ, and MMP.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance are available to you starting on your first day of employment.
• Generous time off package, including vacation PTO, sick PTO, and 14 company-paid holidays.
• 401(k) with company match and stock options.