Senior Control Systems Engineer

As a Control Systems Engineer, you will lead the design and architecture of precision scanning and stabilization solutions for innovative optical systems. You will be responsible for defining performance requirements, managing error budgets, and validating system models through rigorous testing, all while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to solve complex engineering challenges. Your expertise will drive the transition of products from R&D to production, ensuring high-performance outcomes in demanding mission scenarios.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Lead architecture decisions, system trades, and design of precision scanning, pointing and line-of-sight stabilization solutions for novel optical systems for broadly defined missions
• Understand and derive sensor line-of-sight performance requirements given multi-disciplinary engineering constraints
• Create and manage pointing control and pointing knowledge error budgets that include allocations, model predictions, and test results
• Function as the lead design engineer for scanning and line of sight control systems, including the design of embedded software and hardware used for implementing control precision mechanisms
• Develop detailed system models that predict pointing, stabilization, and jitter performance
• Analyze system pointing and stabilization performance, and validate detailed models with sub-assembly and fully system prototypes
• Develop and review test setups, procedures, and data to transition products and systems from R&D to production
• Work independently and collaborate with senior staff and leadership to solve interdisciplinary technical problems by serving as the Control Engineering subject matter expert

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BS in Mechanical, Electrical, or Controls Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience with complex electro-mechanical scanning and pointing systems, performing design, analysis, alignment and test in the workforce
• Demonstrated first principles approach to complex electro-mechanical problems
• Experience with creating control hardware and software for optical systems, both active and passive, in the visible and infrared domains
• Experience with the selection of sensors, motors, motor drivers, isolators, and motor controllers based from technical performance requirements.
• Expertise in estimation and control for linear and non-linear systems
• Experience with control system performance using Matlab and Simulink or similar
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MS and PhD preferred, but not required
• Experience with rapid prototyping of control systems including both hardware and software in a lab environment
• Knowledge of image quality metrics and data analysis methods, and ability to analyze line-of-sight impacts on optical system performance metrics
• Experience with simulation and analysis of both scanning, gimbaled systems and vibration isolation techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in the integration, test, and performance requirements verification and validation of optical systems
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively manage and communicate project progress to key stakeholders, including needs and issues that may arise to derail project deliverables
• Hands on implementation of real-time control algorithms on embedded platforms using C or C++.
• Knowledge of remote sensing systems and platforms (LiDAR, EO/IR, Radar)
• Demonstrated team leadership experience and mentoring of junior staff
• Experience deriving requirements from customer requirements and concepts into actions requirements for design engineers.