Sr. Principal Engineer - Controls

About Oshkosh AeroTech, an Oshkosh company

Oshkosh AeroTech is a leading provider of aviation ground support products, gate equipment and airport services to commercial airlines, airports, air-freight carriers, ground handling and military customers. Oshkosh AeroTech offers products that make a difference in people’s lives by supporting those in our communities who do some of the toughest work. They own many of the most trusted brands in the air transportation industry, including LEKTRO®, JetAire®, JetPower®, AmpTekÔ, Jetway®, and more.

The Sr Principal Engineer – Controls leads the development, integration, and validation of complex vehicle electrical and control systems, with primary responsibility for the JetDock autonomous docking system integrated into Oshkosh AeroTech's aircraft cargo loaders. JetDock uses sensors, including LIDAR, and vehicle controls to detect aircraft cargo doors and automatically position and align cargo loaders with the aircraft. This role combines hands-on embedded controller software development with vehicle electrical system design, system-level troubleshooting, and technical leadership. The engineer establishes controls requirements and architecture, selects and integrates electrical components, develops and validates controller software, and provides technical guidance to other engineers across multiple aircraft loader platforms. Knowledge of LIDAR technology and autonomous control concepts is essential to supporting these activities, while the position remains fundamentally focused on vehicle controls engineering.

YOUR IMPACT

• Lead technical execution and on-time completion of complex JetDock controls development, integration, and validation projects across aircraft loader platforms.
• Personally develop, modify, troubleshoot, and validate embedded controller software using Danfoss PLUS+1; apply relevant CODESYS experience where applicable.
• Develop vehicle electrical and controls architectures; define system requirements and select controllers, sensors, displays, electrical components, and communication interfaces.
• Lead hardware and software integration into multiple aircraft loader models, including diesel and electric configurations, while accounting for platform-specific requirements.
• Develop and maintain common controller software approaches and configurable parameters where practical to support consistency, maintainability, and efficient updates.
• Integrate and troubleshoot LIDAR and other sensors used in aircraft detection, positioning, and automated vehicle functions.
• Develop and lead system test and validation plans, including controlled-environment testing, vehicle testing, customer-site validation, and production implementation.
• Perform complex system-level investigations and root-cause analysis involving software, electrical hardware, CAN communications, sensors, and vehicle behavior; implement and verify corrective actions.
• Provide technical direction to other controls engineers; assign and prioritize technical activities, review engineering work, and mentor less experienced engineers.
• Direct electrical designers and collaborate with mechanical engineers on component installation, sensor placement, schematics, and technical documentation.
• Manage multiple technical priorities and controls project schedules; support resource planning, estimates, risk assessment, and communication of project status to management.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal engineering, manufacturing, quality, and Field Service teams to resolve integration and performance issues.
• Provide remote and on-site technical support for field integration and validation, including collaboration with international teams and customer representatives as required.
• Independently investigate applicable controls and sensing technologies; improve engineering methods, software reuse, validation processes, and product robustness.
• Deliver results according to Oshkosh and applicable industry engineering standards and processes.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Regular attendance is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Accredited Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, software engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field with eight (8) or more years of related experience.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience developing, modifying, and troubleshooting embedded controller software using Danfoss PLUS+1 OR CODESYS.
• Experience designing vehicle or mobile-equipment electrical and control systems, including selection and integration of controllers, sensors, and electrical components.
• Experience with CAN bus communication, vehicle controls architecture, and system-level hardware/software troubleshooting.
• Experience leading complex controls engineering activities and providing technical guidance to other engineers.

STANDOUT QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, software engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field with ten (10) or more years of related experience; or master's degree in electrical engineering, software engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field with eight (8) or more years of related experience; or Ph.D. in electrical engineering, software engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field with four (4) or more years of related experience.
• Hands-on programming proficiency with BOTH Danfoss PLUS+1 and CODESYS.
• Direct experience with Danfoss mobile controllers, PLUS+1 development tools, and related control hardware.
• Experience integrating LIDAR and other sensing technologies into automated vehicle functions; working knowledge of autonomous control concepts.
• Experience with aircraft ground support equipment, off-highway vehicles, mobile hydraulic equipment, or other complex mobile machinery.
• Experience developing common embedded software across multiple vehicle models and powertrain configurations.
• Experience leading customer-site validation, international field support, and supplier technical issue resolution.
• Experience with advanced CAN diagnostics, control system validation tools, and embedded software development languages such as C/C++ or Python.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Internal Contacts: Contact with peers and others involving explanation of information (these contacts may be within or outside department or division), and the gathering of factual information; may include the communication of sensitive or confidential information.
• External Contacts: Limited external contact to gather information, answer queries, or ask assistance.
• Communication Skills: Read, write and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos; read and interpret safety rules, operating/maintenance instructions and procedure manuals; write routine reports and correspondence and speak effectively before both internal and external groups; read, analyze and interpret technical procedures, government regulations, scientific and technical journals, financial reports and legal documents.
• Decision-Making: Significant responsibility for decisions and final results, affecting more than one function or a function with multiple units. Substantial analysis is required and many factors must be weighted before a decision can be reached.
• Complexity, Judgment and Problem Solving: Work requires the ability to plan and perform work in light of new or constantly changing problems, work from broad instruction, and deal with complex factors not easily evaluated. Decisions require considerable judgment, initiative and ingenuity in areas where there is little precedent.
• Supervisory/Managerial: General instructing, scheduling, and reviewing the work of others performing the same or directly related work. Acts as “lead worker”.

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Pay Range:

The above pay range reflects the minimum and maximum target pay for the position across all U.S. locations. Within this range, individual pay is determined by various factors, including the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education and skills, as well as the equity of pay among team members in similar positions. Beyond offering a competitive total rewards package, we prioritize a people-first culture and offer various opportunities to support team member growth and success.

Oshkosh is committed to working with and offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to disability for any part of the employment process, please contact us at [email protected].

Oshkosh Corporation is a merit-based Equal Opportunity Employer. Job opportunities are open for application to all qualified individuals and selection decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristic. To the extent that information is provided or collected regarding categories as provided by law it will in no way affect the decision regarding an employment application.

Oshkosh Corporation will not discharge or in any manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Oshkosh Corporation's legal duty to furnish information.

Certain positions with Oshkosh Corporation require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the Export Administration Regulations. Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. Persons," as defined in these regulations. Generally, a "U.S. Person" is a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or an individual who has been admitted as a refugee or granted asylum.