Job Description
Principal Modern Controls Engineer (Embedded Systems)
Location: New Hudson, MI (Onsite)
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (additional hours as needed to support project deadlines)
Travel: Approximately 10% (primarily within the Great Lakes region)
Join a Team Developing Next-Generation Defense Vehicle Technologies
We are seeking an experienced Principal Modern Controls Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced embedded control systems for cutting-edge defense platforms. This is a highly technical, hands-on role focused on developing sophisticated control algorithms, embedded software, and vehicle-level system integration.
The ideal candidate is a recognized expert in modern control theory who enjoys solving complex engineering challenges while mentoring other engineers and helping expand organizational capabilities.
Please Note: This position requires onsite work in New Hudson, Michigan. Candidates must be eligible to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance. Due to ITAR requirements, U.S. citizenship is required.
What You'll Do
Advanced Controls Development
- Design, develop, implement, and validate embedded control systems for advanced vehicle applications.
- Develop control algorithms using both classical and modern control techniques.
- Perform stability, robustness, and performance analysis.
- Design and tune multi-loop and multi-axis control architectures.
- Implement embedded software using MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++.
- Validate control strategies through SIL, HIL, bench, and full vehicle testing.
- Support commissioning, calibration, troubleshooting, and system optimization.
Modeling & Simulation
- Develop state-space and frequency-domain models for electromechanical, hydraulic, and vehicle systems.
- Perform system identification and model correlation using test data.
- Utilize simulation models to develop and refine advanced control algorithms.
- Establish performance metrics and validate system requirements.
System Integration
- Support hardware architecture, controller selection, and electronic integration.
- Define mechanical and electrical system requirements.
- Troubleshoot integrated hardware and software systems.
- Participate in vehicle-level testing and system validation.
Technical Leadership
- Serve as the organization's subject matter expert in modern control systems.
- Mentor and develop fellow engineers.
- Help establish engineering best practices and grow advanced controls capabilities across the team.
Required Qualifications
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a related field.
- 8+ years of experience developing embedded control systems.
- Expert-level knowledge of modern control theory, including implementation of motion controls and state estimators using state-space methods.
- Demonstrated ability to lead technically complex projects and mentor engineering teams.
- Strong embedded software development experience using C/C++.
- Experience with MATLAB, Simulink, and Model-Based Design.
- Ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance.
- U.S. citizenship required due to ITAR regulations.
Preferred Technical Experience
Experience with many of the following is highly desirable:
Control Systems
- State-space modeling
- LQR/LQG
- Kalman Filters
- Model Predictive Control (MPC)
- Robust and MIMO control
- PID, feedforward, root locus, lead-lag compensation, loop shaping
- Numerical optimization and controller tuning
Embedded Development
- MATLAB, Simulink, Stateflow
- Embedded C/C++
- RTOS and Linux-based embedded systems
- Simulink/Stateflow Coder
- MotoHawk
- Raptor
- OpenECU
- dSPACE
Vehicle & Systems Engineering
- Vehicle dynamics
- Electric and hybrid vehicle architectures
- By-wire systems
- Actuator controls (motors, valves)
- Hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and electrical systems
- Vehicle/system simulation tools including ADAMS, Dymola, CarSim, TruckSim, and FMI/FMU
Networking & Communications
- CAN
- LIN
- J1939
- XCP/CCP
- Ethernet
- TCP/IP
- UDP
- EtherCAT
- DDS
- TSN
- Vector, Kvaser, and INCA tools
Defense Systems Experience (Preferred)
Experience supporting one or more of the following:
- Combat vehicles
- Weapon systems
- Fire control systems
- Turret and ammunition handling systems
- Defense software deliverables (CDRLs)
- MIL-STD-498
- MIL-STD-461
- MIL-STD-882E
- DO-178C
- DO-254
Ideal Candidate
You'll excel in this role if you:
- Are recognized as an expert in modern control systems.
- Enjoy solving highly complex engineering challenges.
- Thrive in hands-on development and system integration.
- Like mentoring engineers and elevating technical capabilities across a team.
- Want to contribute to advanced defense technologies that operate in demanding real-world environments.
Interview Process
- HR Phone Interview
- Hiring Manager Video Interview
- Onsite Technical Panel Interview
