Perseus Materials

Details

Positions: Controls & Instrumentation intern/co-op
Location: Knoxville, TN
Innovation Area: Energy, Food, Water, Human Health and Environment Nexus; Energy Efficiency
Position Type: Industry-supported
Compensation: $8,500
Internship Term: 8 weeks

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Perseus Materials is developing a new approach to manufacturing large-scale composite parts—without traditional molds or tooling. By combining proprietary resin chemistry with robotics and custom hardware, we aim to make fiber‑reinforced polymer (FRP) components faster to produce, easier to assemble, and strong enough for real‑world scale. We’re transitioning from R&D into pilot production, validating meter‑scale, continuous‑fiber parts and exploring on‑site assembly strategies that cut lead and cycle times. Join us as we build toward a flexible, cost‑effective platform for structural materials at industrial scale.

Responsibilities

Controls
  • Assist with implementing and testing machine operations (e.g., simple mechanical actuation, heating zones) under mentorship.
  • Help document wiring, setup procedures, and test protocols.
  • Perform basic troubleshooting and report findings.
Instrumentation
  • Support instrumentation setup for measuring key process variables (temperatures, pressures).
  • Help evaluate and integrate in-line monitoring/NDE tools for process feedback.
  • Contribute to simple control schemes and data checks to maintain stable operations.

Who should apply

Candidates comfortable working in a shop environment who are self-starters, naturally curious, and eager to learn new tools, materials, and techniques; those with experience in startup or R&D environments and in designing/prototyping mechanical, electronic, and/or mechatronic projects.

Required expertise

  • Basic familiarity with microcontrollers or maker platforms (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi Pico, Teensy, STM32) through coursework or projects.
  • Intro-level electrical skills and safety awareness; comfortable using a multimeter, reading simple schematics, and wiring basic circuits.
  • Exposure to common sensors (thermocouples, thermistors, IR) and understanding of how to acquire and interpret basic measurements (temperature, pressure).
  • Ability to follow test procedures, document results, and communicate observations clearly.
  • Fundamental CAD exposure (preferably SolidWorks) and willingness to learn design best practices.

Preferred skills/Majors

  • Integration polish: clean sensor mounting, cable management, and clear setup documentation.
  • Fixture/jig design: build simple test rigs and draft repeatable procedures.
  • Controls literacy: read block/loop diagrams; comfortable with setpoints and hysteresis (no implementation required).
  • Data hygiene: tidy logging, basic QA checks, and simple visual summaries for teammates.
  • Shop readiness: safe use of common tools; fast build–test–iterate mindset.
  • Materials/process curiosity: interest in composites, heating zones, and in-line monitoring/NDE concepts.
  • Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics/Robotics, Materials Science, and Computer Engineering.