Principal Modern Controls Engineer (Embedded Systems)

Job Description

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

1. HR Phone Interview
2. Hiring Manager Video Interview
3. Onsite Technical Panel Interview