Engineering has been part of Texas A&M University since its opening in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Today, the College of Engineering is the largest college on the College Station campus with more than 25,000 engineering students enrolled in 15 departments. Its mission is to serve Texas, the nation and the global community by providing engineering graduates who are well-founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society.

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Job Description

Purpose:

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to design and build the automation system for the Autonomous Robotic Metallurgist (ARM), an NSF Materials Innovation Platform at Texas A&M University. ARM is a closed-loop, AI-driven laboratory for alloy discovery that links automated synthesis, thermo-mechanical processing, characterization, and mechanical testing. A campaign layer, driven by Bayesian optimization, decides which experiment to run next. The postdoc will own the system architecture below that layer: the PLC and instrument control, the software that coordinates the stations, and the connection to the campaign logic that plans experiments and consumes their results. The postdoc will work closely with the engineers designing ARM's automated arc melting, rolling, and testing stations, and will be involved in these systems from design through commissioning. We are looking for a robotics, mechatronics, or controls researcher with demonstrated experience in automation, system integration, and PLC programming. Experience with AI/ML-based control is a strong plus. No prior background in metallurgy is required. The appointment is for one year, with renewal contingent on performance and funding.

Responsibilities:

Design the architecture of the automation system, including the control layers, the communication between instruments, and the interface to the campaign logic.

Work with the equipment designers to define control, sensing, and safety requirements for the arc melting, rolling, and testing stations while they are being built.

Develop the software layer that turns experimental plans from the Bayesian optimization engine into coordinated instrument actions, tracks their execution, and returns structured results and status.

Define the interfaces (APIs, message schemas, data formats) through which the campaign logic requests experiments, monitors progress, and handles failed or partial runs.

Develop and maintain the PLC programs and HMIs that sequence and control the arc melting, hot rolling, and mechanical testing equipment, including I/O, sensor feedback, and data capture.

Connect the PLC layer to the higher-level Python control software through industrial communication protocols.

Design and commission robotic sample transfer between processing, characterization, and…