Staff Robotic Control Systems Engineer

Department: Software Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, CA, Hawthorne, California, Remote

What you'll do:

• Define control system requirements from vehicle and subsystem level functional and performance requirements
• Lead design, analysis, development, tuning, verification, and validation of vehicle control systems
• Build system simulations for controller design and analysis in appropriate tools (e.g. Matlab, Simulink, Python) and mature simulations as additional test data becomes available 
• Design and prototype appropriate controllers that meet the defined requirements using simulations and control system design tools (e.g. Matlab control system toolbox)
• Support sizing and selection of integrated robotic control system components (sensors and actuators) such as motion sensors, cameras, motor encoders, motors, and similar
• Support (and potentially lead) development of integrated hardware/software control system testbeds and testing of prototype controllers using these testbeds
• Analyze and tune controller performance, stability, and robustness using the system simulations, testbeds, and test data
• Develop control system documentation and work with vehicle software team to convert controller prototypes into flight code, including supporting unit and integrated testing of flight implementations
• Work with vehicle software team, avionics team, integration and test team to verify flight control system implementation and performance
• Support integrated vehicle guidance, navigation, and control system simulation and performance analysis
• Support calibration of integrated hardware/robotic control systems (e.g. robotic arm calibration)

What you'll bring:

• Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) related field 
• 10+ years of experience developing robotic control systems across the full lifecycle, from concept development through flight operations
• 10+ years of experience designing, developing, testing, analyzing, and tuning robotic control systems for extra-terrestrial rovers, including mobility systems, robotic arms, or similar robotic mechanisms, with direct experience developing motor controller control loops and robotic arm control systems

• Experience designing, building, and utilizing testbeds to validate control systems on flight-like hardware, including development and execution of test plans
• Experience collaborating across engineering disciplines to mature control system designs from concept through flight operations
• Experience providing technical guidance, mentorship, or leadership to control systems engineers
• Experience developing, testing, and validating control system simulation and analysis tools
• Experience analyzing and tuning the performance of robotic control systems
• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink, MATLAB Control System Toolbox, or equivalent control system design and analysis tools
• Strong technical writing, communication, and presentation skills

Benefits and Perks

• Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
• Equity ownership in the company
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Flexible PTO and parental leave
• Home office set up reimbursement
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks