Embedded Software & Control Lead

Our Client is seeking an experienced Embedded Software & Controls Lead to provide both technical and people leadership for a specialized engineering team supporting advanced vehicle and defense-related systems. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Bachelor's or Master's degree in Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline.

EMBEDDED SOFTWARE & CONTROLS LEAD
Location: New Hudson, Michigan | Onsite
Direct Hire
Salary: $104,000 - $173,000, depending on experience
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Travel: Approximately 10%, primarily within the Great Lakes region
Lead the Development of Advanced Embedded Control Systems
Our Client is seeking an experienced Embedded Software & Controls Lead to provide both technical and people leadership for a specialized engineering team supporting advanced vehicle and defense-related systems.
This role is ideal for a senior-level embedded controls engineer who enjoys staying technically involved while also building, mentoring, and developing high-performing engineering teams.
The Embedded Software & Controls Lead will oversee controls and software development, system integration, characterization, modeling, and testing. This position will also provide direct leadership to approximately 2-7 engineers, with responsibility for performance management, resource planning, mentoring, recruiting, and technical development.
TOP QUALIFICATIONSCandidates should bring:

• Senior-level experience in embedded controls, particularly motion control and/or Embedded Linux
• Experience building and leading high-performing technical teams, ideally ranging from approximately 5-10 engineers
• Demonstrated responsibility for resource management, employee development, and technical mentorship
• Strong knowledge of embedded systems, control theory, and real-time software development

WHAT YOU'LL DOTechnical & Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of controls and embedded software engineers.
• Manage employee performance, development plans, and goal setting.
• Support recruiting, retention, and workforce planning.
• Manage engineering resources across multiple programs and priorities.
• Help establish departmental goals, technical processes, and budget requirements.
• Develop technical capabilities within the engineering team.

Embedded Controls & Software Leadership

• Lead the technical execution of embedded controls and software development efforts.
• Define controls architecture, software platforms, and system functionality.
• Estimate engineering effort and identify required technical resources and skill sets.
• Partner with cross-functional engineering and program leads to ensure successful project execution.
• Ensure software complies with applicable engineering standards and program requirements.
• Participate in customer meetings, technical reviews, and proposal development.
• Provide technical direction throughout design, integration, testing, and validation.

System Simulation & Modeling

• Develop multi-domain models involving mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and electronic systems.
• Identify system performance requirements and specifications through modeling and analysis.
• Correlate and validate simulation models against physical test data.
• Use modeling and simulation tools to develop, evaluate, and optimize control algorithms.

System & Hardware Integration

• Support the design, selection, and integration of electronic components and controllers.
• Identify controller hardware based on I/O and computational requirements.
• Communicate system requirements to mechanical, electrical, and design engineering teams.
• Troubleshoot and resolve electrical, controls, and system-level issues.
• Support system commissioning and integration activities.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline
• 6+ years of engineering experience
• Significant hands-on experience with embedded controls and software development
• Prior technical leadership, team leadership, or engineering management experience

DESIRED TECHNICAL EXPERIENCEExperience with several of the following technologies and disciplines is highly desirable:

• Embedded C/C++ development
• Microcontrollers
• Embedded Linux
• RTOS-based platforms
• MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow
• Simulink/Stateflow Coder
• MotoHawk
• Raptor
• OpenECU
• dSPACE
• ADAMS
• Dymola
• CarSim/TruckSim
• FMI/FMU
• Motion control and actuator control
• Motors, valves, and by-wire systems

CONTROLS ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGEKnowledge of classical control techniques such as:

• PID control
• Lead-lag compensation
• Loop shaping
• Root locus design
• Feedforward control
• Cascaded loop architectures

Experience with modern control techniques is also valuable, including:

• State-space modeling
• LQR/LQG
• Kalman filtering
• Model Predictive Control
• Robust control
• MIMO system design

ADDITIONAL VALUABLE EXPERIENCEOur Client is particularly interested in candidates with experience involving:

• Defense or military vehicle systems
• Combat vehicle engineering
• Weapon systems
• Fire control systems
• Turret or ammunition handling systems
• Electric and hybrid vehicle architectures
• Vehicle and system troubleshooting
• Electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic systems
• Data acquisition hardware and software

Experience working with applicable standards is also beneficial, including:

• MIL-STD-498
• MIL-STD-461
• MIL-STD-882E
• DO-178C
• DO-254

Additional experience may include defense software CDRLs and networking or vehicle communication protocols such as:

• Ethernet
• TCP/IP
• UDP
• EtherCAT
• DDS
• TSN
• CAN
• LIN
• J1939
• XCP/CCP
• Vector tools
• Kvaser
• INCA

WORK ENVIRONMENTThis is a fully onsite position. Remote work is not available.
The standard schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Additional hours, including occasional evening or weekend support, may be required during project surges or to meet critical program deadlines.
Approximately 10% travel is expected, primarily to testing locations and customer sites within the Great Lakes region.
This position supports programs subject to U.S. export-control and government security requirements. Candidates must meet applicable eligibility requirements and must be able to meet requirements associated with obtaining a U.S. Government security clearance.
INTERVIEW PROCESS

1. HR phone screen
2. Microsoft Teams interview with the hiring manager
3. Onsite panel interview

If you're an experienced embedded controls engineer ready to combine hands-on technical leadership with team development and advanced vehicle systems engineering, we encourage you to apply.
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