matlabpool, parfor, matlab engine in c++, - java not currently available

I am calling the matlab engine from my C++ code to run some custom matlab functions.

Everything works fine when I use a serial for loop. But I want to use parfor in my custom .m function.

When I include the matlab pool open statement in my .m file, matlab crashes and reports that "java is not currently available".

Question: Is there any way to "load jvm" in a matlab engine or "start" a matlab engine with a jvm so that I can open a "matlabpool" and use "parfor"? Or is there a way to bypass parfor's dependence on jvm entirely?

Thank you!