Principal Robotic Control Systems Engineer

Department: Software Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, CA, Hawthorne, California, Hybrid

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 STEM-related field 
•  15+ years of experience developing robotic control systems from concept through testing and operational deployment 
•  10+ years of experience designing, developing, testing, analyzing, and tuning robotic control systems 
•  Experience developing motor controller control loops and robotic arm control systems 
•  Experience building, testing, and validating control system simulation and analysis tools 
•  Experience developing and executing control system test plans 
•  Proficiency with MATLAB, Simulink, and the MATLAB Control System Toolbox or equivalent control system design software 
•  Strong written and verbal communication skills 

Preferred Qualifications

•  Master's degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field 
•  Experience developing robotic control systems for extraterrestrial rovers or other spaceflight applications 
•  Experience designing, building, and using testbeds with flight-like hardware 
•  Experience supporting control system development through flight operations 
•  Experience collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams throughout the product development lifecycle 
•  Experience mentoring or providing technical guidance to engineers 
•  Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) or model-based design methodologies 
•  Experience in the aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated industry 

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