Sr. Controls Engineer

Location: Longmont, CO (Onsite)
Experience: 10+ years of experience
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or related technical field; Advanced degree is preferred
Compensation: $150,000–$200,000 depending on experience

Who We Are

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense. Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities – from semiconductor device through target identification – to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective. We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country.

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

Summary:

The Sr. Controls Engineer plays a critical role in defining, modeling, and refining the control systems that enable reliable HADES product performance during threat engagements. This role develops full‑system models to understand capability, predict behavior, and guide design decisions across the product line. The controls team owns the broader controls architecture—from component‑level loops to full‑system control—across frequency domains ranging from 10 Hz to MHz.

As a hands‑on technical subject matter expert, the Sr. Controls Engineer collaborates with mission modeling, software, firmware, and hardware teams to translate system‑level requirements into practical control solutions. They evaluate stability and performance margins, improve control strategies, and ensure alignment between system models, control implementations, and physical hardware. A key responsibility is correlating model predictions with measured hardware behavior to identify gaps, improve fidelity, and accelerate technical improvements.

Success in this role is demonstrated through stable, robust engagement performance; trusted full‑system Simulink models; and control architectures that can be effectively implemented, tested, and evolved with cross‑functional partners.

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: Please review this information before applying.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain full‑system Simulink models to understand HADES capability, predict behavior, and guide control‑system design decisions.
• Correlate models with hardware test data to improve fidelity, identify technical risks, and assess performance across operating conditions.
• Define and refine controls architecture spanning component‑level loops through full‑system control across broad frequency domains.
• Develop robust control strategies and translate system‑level requirements into implementable control algorithms.
• Lead controls‑focused hardware integration, debugging, commissioning, and tuning in laboratory and representative test environments.
• Verify stable, responsive, and robust control performance during integrated system operation and engagements.
• Partner with mission modeling, software, firmware, and hardware teams to ensure models, embedded controls, and physical hardware work together as intended.
• Communicate technical risks, test results, and design tradeoffs clearly to drive informed decisions.

Required Experience / Capability:

• Commitment to Excellence, Attention to Detail, and Pride in Workmanship.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment and maintain strong working relationships under pressure.
• Ability to execute independently and lead technical efforts in support of program milestones.
• Demonstrated proficiency designing, analyzing, and tuning robust feedback control systems, including stability and performance‑margin evaluation.
• Ability to develop system‑level models, use simulation to guide design decisions, and correlate model results with hardware test data.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or C#.
• Hands‑on experience integrating, tuning, and troubleshooting control systems on physical hardware.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to convey technical results, risks, and tradeoffs across cross‑functional teams.

Desired Experience / Capability:

• Advanced knowledge of estimation, sensor fusion, observer design, system identification, or signal processing.
• Experience using measured system data for plant modeling, system identification, and model‑to‑hardware correlation.
• Knowledge of robust, stochastic, nonlinear, or adaptive control methods.
• Experience modeling or analyzing cascaded, asynchronous, distributed, or networked control systems.
• Proficiency in Simulink for system modeling, simulation, verification, and control‑system design.
• Familiarity with real‑time embedded implementation (C++, CUDA, FPGA development, or HDL).
• Background in robotics, path planning, attitude determination, or related GNC applications.
• Experience with HIL/SIL or other model‑based verification approaches.
• Experience with adaptive optics, optomechanical systems, electro‑optical systems, or precision beam‑control architectures.

Benefits Summary:

• 4 weeks Paid Time Off per year
• 11 paid holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision, and Dental Care paid 100% for employees and 75% for dependents
• Paid Family Leave; employer‑paid Short‑and Long‑Term Disability
• Competitive 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting

Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io.