Modern Controls Engineer – Principal (State Estimation)
Direct Hire
Position Summary
We are seeking a Modern Controls Engineer – Principal to lead the design, development, implementation, and validation of advanced embedded control systems for defense applications. This highly technical role focuses on motion control, state estimation, and advanced model-based controls development, supporting the full product lifecycle from system modeling and algorithm development through hardware integration, testing, and vehicle deployment.
The ideal candidate will serve as a technical subject matter expert (SME) in state-space controls and state estimation techniques, helping establish best practices while mentoring other engineers and expanding the organization's technical capabilities in advanced controls.
Key Responsibilities
Controls System Design & Development
- Design, develop, and implement advanced control algorithms using both classical and modern control techniques.
- Develop motion control systems utilizing state-space methods and advanced estimation techniques.
- Perform stability, robustness, and performance analysis.
- Design and tune multi-loop and multi-axis control architectures.
- Develop and deploy control algorithms using MATLAB/Simulink and embedded C/C++ environments.
- Validate control strategies through:
- Software-in-the-Loop (SIL)
- Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL)
- Bench testing
- Vehicle testing
- Support system commissioning, calibration, and field troubleshooting.
System Modeling & Simulation
- Develop state-space and frequency-domain models for electromechanical, hydraulic, and vehicle systems.
- Perform physical modeling and system identification.
- Correlate simulation models with real-world test data.
- Analyze system performance metrics and validate engineering requirements.
- Utilize system models to develop, optimize, and validate advanced control algorithms and state estimators.
Hardware Integration
- Support the design, selection, and integration of embedded electronic hardware.
- Define controller hardware requirements based on system I/O and computational needs.
- Collaborate with mechanical engineering teams to communicate system integration requirements.
- Troubleshoot electrical, controls, and system-level integration issues.
Technical Leadership
- Serve as the organization's subject matter expert for advanced motion control and state estimation.
- Mentor and coach engineering teams on modern controls methodologies.
- Help develop organizational standards and best practices for advanced controls engineering.
- Provide technical guidance during architecture reviews, design reviews, and system integration activities.
Required Qualifications
Experience
- 8+ years of engineering experience in controls, embedded software, or related disciplines.
- Senior-level experience implementing advanced motion control systems using state-space methods.
- Experience developing state estimators and advanced control algorithms.
- Demonstrated expertise in model-based controls development using MATLAB/Simulink.
- Experience mentoring engineers and serving as a technical leader within engineering teams.
- Ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance.
Technical Skills
- MATLAB
- Simulink
- Stateflow
- State-space modeling
- Motion control systems
- State estimation
- Control system modeling and simulation
- Embedded C/C++
- Real-time embedded systems
- System identification
- SIL/HIL testing
- Vehicle controls development
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with one or more of the following:
Advanced Controls & Estimation
- State-space modeling
- Kalman Filtering
- LQR/LQG
- Model Predictive Control (MPC)
- Robust control
- MIMO system design
- Numerical optimization
- Observer design
- Multi-axis motion control
- Parameter estimation and controller tuning
Classical Control Theory
- PID control
- Lead-lag compensation
- Loop shaping
- Root locus analysis
- Feedforward control
- Cascaded loop architectures
Embedded Development
- Simulink/Stateflow Coder
- MotoHawk
- Raptor
- OpenECU
- dSPACE
- Embedded Linux
- RTOS platforms
- Microcontroller development
Defense & Vehicle Systems
- Weapon systems
- Combat vehicle engineering
- Fire control systems
- Turret and ammunition handling systems
- Electric and hybrid vehicle architectures
- By-wire systems
- Actuator controls (motors and valves)
Vehicle & System Simulation
- ADAMS
- Dymola
- CarSim
- TruckSim
- FMI/FMU
Networking & Communications
- Ethernet
- TCP/IP
- UDP
- EtherCAT
- DDS
- TSN
- CAN
- LIN
- J1939
- XCP/CCP
- Vector tools
- Kvaser
- INCA
Additional Experience
- Electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic system design
- Data acquisition hardware and software
- Vehicle and system troubleshooting
- Experience delivering defense software CDRLs
- Knowledge of applicable military standards including:
- MIL-STD-498
- MIL-STD-461
- MIL-STD-882E
- DO-178C
- DO-254
Education
- Master's or PhD in:
- Automotive Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Mechatronics
- Or a closely related technical discipline
Position Details
- Employment Type: Direct Hire
- Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Additional hours may be required to meet project deadlines.
- Work Location: Onsite (Remote work is not available.)
- Travel: Approximately 10%, primarily to test sites throughout the Great Lakes region.
- Salary Range: $104,000-$173,000, depending on experience.
Additional Requirements
- This position supports ITAR-regulated programs.
- Dual citizenship is not permitted for this position.
- Candidates must be eligible to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance.
- Position requires light physical activity.
Equal Opportunity Employer (including Disability/Veterans)
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