PRINCIPAL MOTION CONTROLS & EMBEDDED SOFTWARE ENGINEER
Job Description
Job DescriptionPRINCIPAL MOTION CONTROLS & EMBEDDED SOFTWARE ENGINEER
Location: New Hudson, MI | Onsite
Direct Hire
Salary: $91,500 - $148,000, depending on experience
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Travel: Approximately 10%, primarily within the Great Lakes region
Design Advanced Controls From the Ground Up
Our Client is seeking a Principal Motion Controls & Embedded Software Engineer to design, develop, implement, and validate embedded control systems supporting advanced defense and vehicle applications.
This is a highly technical, hands-on engineering role for someone who has experience developing motion control algorithms from scratch rather than simply calibrating or modifying existing controls.
The ideal candidate combines strong classical and modern control theory knowledge with model-based development experience using MATLAB and Simulink and can take a control strategy from initial modeling through embedded deployment and vehicle-level validation.
TOP QUALIFICATIONS
- Senior-level experience developing motion control algorithms from scratch
- Experience applying classical and/or modern control techniques to real systems
- Strong model-based development experience using Simulink
- Embedded controls and software development experience
- Ability to independently solve complex system-level controls problems
WHAT YOU'LL DOMotion Controls Development
- Develop motion control algorithms from initial concept through deployment.
- Implement control strategies using classical and modern control techniques.
- Perform stability, robustness, and performance analysis.
- Design and tune multi-loop and multi-axis control architectures.
- Develop actuator controls for motors, valves, and other electromechanical systems.
- Deploy algorithms using Simulink and embedded C/C++.
- Support system calibration, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
Testing & Validation
- Develop and validate controls using SIL, HIL, bench, and vehicle testing.
- Analyze system and vehicle test data.
- Correlate simulation models to real-world performance.
- Diagnose controls, electrical, and system-level issues.
- Support vehicle-level deployment and field testing.
System Modeling & Simulation
- Develop state-space and frequency-domain system models.
- Model electromechanical, hydraulic, and vehicle systems.
- Apply system identification techniques to characterize real systems.
- Use model results to establish system performance requirements.
- Develop and optimize controls through simulation.
- Apply numerical optimization techniques for control tuning and parameter fitting.
Embedded Systems Integration
- Support selection and integration of electronic controllers and components.
- Determine controller hardware requirements based on I/O and computing needs.
- Partner with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering teams.
- Troubleshoot hardware/software integration issues.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Master's degree or PhD in Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field
- 8+ years of engineering experience
- Extensive experience with embedded controls or motion controls
- Demonstrated experience developing control algorithms for physical systems
DESIRED TECHNICAL SKILLSStrong experience with:
- MATLAB
- Simulink
- Stateflow
- Motion control
- Model-based controls development
- Embedded C/C++
- Real-time embedded systems
Knowledge of classical controls may include:
- PID
- Lead-lag compensation
- Loop shaping
- Root locus
- Feedforward control
- Cascaded control loops
Knowledge of modern controls may include:
- State-space modeling
- LQR/LQG
- Kalman filtering
- Model Predictive Control
- Robust control
- MIMO system design
Additional experience with the following is valuable:
- Simulink/Stateflow Coder
- MotoHawk
- Raptor
- OpenECU
- dSPACE
- Microcontrollers
- Embedded Linux
- RTOS
- CAN
- LIN
- J1939
- XCP/CCP
- Vector tools
- Kvaser
- INCA
- Ethernet
- TCP/IP
- UDP
- EtherCAT
- DDS
- TSN
- ADAMS
- Dymola
- CarSim/TruckSim
- FMI/FMU
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCEExperience supporting advanced vehicle or defense systems is highly desirable, including:
- Combat vehicles
- Weapon systems
- Fire control systems
- Turret systems
- Ammunition handling systems
- Autonomous or by-wire systems
- Electric and hybrid vehicles
- Motors and actuator controls
- Hydraulic and pneumatic systems
- Vehicle and system troubleshooting
Experience with defense-related software standards or CDRLs is also beneficial.
POSITION DETAILSThis is a fully onsite position in New Hudson, Michigan. Remote work is not available.The standard schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Additional hours may occasionally be required to support project deadlines.Approximately 10% travel is expected, primarily to testing sites within the Great Lakes region.This position supports programs subject to U.S. export-control requirements. Dual citizenship may be considered depending on the countries involved and applicable program requirements. Candidates must provide any information necessary to determine export-control eligibility.Candidates must also be able to meet requirements associated with obtaining a U.S. Government security clearance.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
- HR phone screen
- Microsoft Teams interview with the hiring manager
- Onsite panel interview
If you are an experienced controls engineer who enjoys building motion control algorithms from the ground up and seeing them perform on real hardware, we encourage you to apply.
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