Systems Engineer

About Periodic Labs
We are an AI + physical sciences lab building state of the art models to make novel scientific discoveries. We are well funded and growing rapidly. Team members are owners who identify and solve problems without boundaries or bureaucracy. We eagerly learn new tools and new science to push forward our mission.
About the Role

Join a world-class team of scientists and engineers pushing the boundaries of materials research in a groundbreaking lab where AI and automation unlock discoveries at unprecedented speed and scale.

As our Systems Engineer, you’ll turn ideas from our scientists into working systems: shaping requirements, partnering with automation vendors to design and build, and leading installation and bring-up on site. From the first concept to the moment a tool runs every day, you’ll align teams, sequence work, and turn complex interfaces into dependable operations. If you’re motivated by turning ideas into trustworthy instruments that help science move faster, this is a place to elevate your craft and push discovery forward.

Responsibilities

• Partner with world-class physicists, chemists and materials scientists to translate experiments and workflows into clear system requirements and interfaces.

• Lead vendor engagements: scope the work, review designs, guide build decisions, and keep schedules and deliverables on track.

• Coordinate site prep and installation with facilities and contractors

• Plan and execute acceptance testing (FAT/SAT) with vendors; define criteria, run tests, and close punch lists.

• Create runbooks and user training to seamlessly transfer delivered lab systems to operations.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or related engineering field.

• 3+ years commissioning or bringing up complex lab, pilot, or manufacturing equipment.

• Comfortable with instrumentation and controls basics (sensors/actuators, data acquisition, programmable controllers, operator interfaces).

• Hands-on experience with installation and testing of complex lab equipment.

• Excellent documentation and cross-functional communication with vendors and internal teams.
  

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with formal acceptance and qualification (factory/site acceptance; installation/operational qualification).

• Exposure to motion systems, robotics cells, precision alignment, and vibration/thermal characterization.

• Familiarity with supervisory control systems and data historians.Background in labs, pilot plants, or advanced manufacturing; comfort interfacing with facilities and utilities.

• Demonstrated accomplishments recognized in your field.