Principal Robotic Control Systems EngineerDepartment: Software Engineering
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Hawthorne, California
Compensation: $180,000 - $235,000 / year
DescriptionAstrolab is seeking an experienced Principal Robotic Conntrol Systems Engineer to support development of control systems for extra-terrestrial rovers such as in-house motor controller development, vehicle mobility system control, robotic arm control, and high gain communication antenna pointing control. Control system development will include initial simulation and design of vehicle control systems, control system performance analysis, gain tuning, and supporting software and integrated hardware/software development and testing.
What you'll do:- Define control system requirements from vehicle and subsystem level functional and performance requirements
- Lead design, analysis, development, tuning, verification, and validation of vehicle control systems
- Build system simulations for controller design and analysis in appropriate tools (e.g. Matlab, Simulink, Python) and mature simulations as additional test data becomes available
- Design and prototype appropriate controllers that meet the defined requirements using simulations and control system design tools (e.g. Matlab control system toolbox)
- Support sizing and selection of integrated robotic control system components (sensors and actuators) such as motion sensors, cameras, motor encoders, motors, and similar
- Support (and potentially lead) development of integrated hardware/software control system testbeds and testing of prototype controllers using these testbeds
- Analyze and tune controller performance, stability, and robustness using the system simulations, testbeds, and test data
- Develop control system documentation and work with vehicle software team to convert controller prototypes into flight code, including supporting unit and integrated testing of flight implementations
- Work with vehicle software team, avionics team, integration and test team to verify flight control system implementation and performance
- Support integrated vehicle guidance, navigation, and control system simulation and performance analysis
- Support calibration of integrated hardware/robotic control systems (e.g. robotic arm calibration)
What you'll bring:Basic Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in a STEM-related field
- 15+ years of experience developing robotic control systems from concept through testing and operational deployment
- 10+ years of experience designing, developing, testing, analyzing, and tuning robotic control systems
- Experience developing motor controller control loops and robotic arm control systems
- Experience building, testing, and validating control system simulation and analysis tools
- Experience developing and executing control system test plans
- Proficiency with MATLAB, Simulink, and the MATLAB Control System Toolbox or equivalent control system design software
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Master's degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field
- Experience developing robotic control systems for extraterrestrial rovers or other spaceflight applications
- Experience designing, building, and using testbeds with flight-like hardware
- Experience supporting control system development through flight operations
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams throughout the product development lifecycle
- Experience mentoring or providing technical guidance to engineers
- Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) or model-based design methodologies
- Experience in the aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated industry
Benefits and Perks- Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
- Equity ownership in the company
- Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Flexible PTO and parental leave
- Home office set up reimbursement
- Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
- Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks
