Controls Systems Engineer II

Job ID: 114836

The Leonardo DRS Land Systems business is a recognized leader in the design and integration of complex technologies into new and legacy systems and platforms for global military and commercial customers. We are a 5 year running Top Workplace in the Greater St. Louis area.

Job Summary

Leonardo DRS Land Systems is seeking a full time Controls Systems Engineer responsible for the analysis, modeling, simulation, implementation support, and verification of stabilized pointing and tracking control for an Electro-Optical and Infrared (EO/IR) sensor and associated gimbal platform on combat vehicles. Experience limited to PLC ladder logic and industrial process control, without classical servo loop design and frequency-domain stability/performance analysis, is not sufficient for this role. This position is based out of our Bridgeton, MO facility and will have the option to work an in person or hybrid schedule. This candidate will develop and improve classical feedback control laws to meet technical performance requirements (stability margins, bandwidth, disturbance rejection, tracking error), and will support production verification, integration, and test of planned product improvements as the system matures in early production. The ideal candidate is knowledgeable in classical and modern control and fosters an innovative work environment leading to improvements in product performance, quality, and productivity.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop, analyze, and refine multi-axis stabilization, pointing, and tracking control laws for precision gimbal/servo systems (e.g., rate and position loops, command shaping)
• Perform classical control design and verification using frequency-domain methods (Bode/Nyquist), root locus/loop shaping, stability margins, and performance tradeoffs (disturbance rejection vs noise amplification)
• Create and maintain dynamic plant models capturing key effects (motor/drive dynamics, inertia, friction/backlash, sensor dynamics, structural resonances) and correlate models to test data
• Support digital/discrete-time control implementation considerations: sampling/discretization, computational delay/latency, quantization, filtering, saturation, and anti-windup
• Support real-time/embedded implementation of control algorithms and collaborate across software, electrical, and mechanical teams for integration and issue resolution
• Support architectural design and requirements engineering as they relate to control performance, including allocation and verification of stabilization/tracking requirements
• Study alternative concepts and use models and simulations to predict closed-loop system performance across operating conditions and disturbance environments
• Support system integration and test, verification and validation, and production support activities, including test planning support, data review, and control-related corrective actions
• Communicate effectively with engineers, management, and non-engineering support staff to evaluate technical information and issues impacting design, production, and product support
• Strive to complete activities on time and budget
• Perform critical trade studies focused on control performance drivers (sensors/IMU selection impacts, actuator sizing/limits, sampling rates, filtering strategies)
• Specify and evaluate supplier components, subsystems, and services that affect closed-loop dynamics (IMUs, encoders, motors/drives, isolation/mounting elements)
• Support the acquisition of hardware and software (or subcontractor services as needed)

• May provide technical knowledge and assistance to other engineers and support personnel
• Support, communicate, reinforce and defend the mission, values and culture of the organization
• Attend appropriate engineering, customer or business meetings

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent
• 2+ years of experience in classical feedback control design and analysis for physical systems (servo/motion control preferred)
• Demonstrated expertise in traditional control system theory and application: frequency-domain methods (Bode/Nyquist), root locus/loop shaping, stability margins, and performance tradeoffs
• Working knowledge of state-space methods (controllability/observability, pole placement, observers/estimators) and digital control fundamentals (sampling/discretization, delays/latency, quantization)
• Experience implementing and supporting control algorithms in real-time/embedded environments and collaborating across Software/Hardware for integration and test
• Proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink (or equivalent) for model-based control development, analysis, and closed-loop verification
• Possess excellent analytical and communication skills, written and oral
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and TEAMS)
• Ability to travel occasionally in CONUS (10%)

Please note: Experience limited to PLC ladder logic and industrial process control, without classical servo loop design and frequency-domain stability/performance analysis, is not sufficient for this role.

The salary range for this position is $79,919.00/year- $103,895.00 for the state of Illinois. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate’s qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.
*Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. #LSY