Fall 2026: Control Systems & Algorithm Engineering Co-op (July to December)

SharkNinja•Needham, MA

1d•$30 - $40•Onsite

About The Position

SharkNinja is seeking a highly motivated Control Systems & Algorithms Co-op to join their team. This role focuses on developing real-time optimization and control algorithms for low-compute hardware to drive the next generation of smart household appliances. The co-op will have a hands-on opportunity to design, prototype, and validate control solutions that enhance appliance intelligence, efficiency, and reliability. This position offers valuable experience in control systems engineering and mechatronics, with an emphasis on programming, optimization, and algorithm development. The work period is from July 2026 to December 2026, and it is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position requiring onsite work in Needham, MA. The Early Edge Experience program is designed for early career talent, providing exposure to the industry, meaningful projects, professional development, community events, and opportunities to showcase contributions to leadership.

Requirements

Current student in their third year or beyond of a bachelor's program, or currently enrolled in a master’s or doctorate program
Must be able to work a full-time, 40-hour-per-week schedule with 5 days per week onsite in Needham, MA
Strong understanding of control system theory (frequency response, stability margins, PID design and tuning) and design, including classical control and advanced control
Proficiency in embedded C/C++ programming and experience with microcontrollers (e.g., STM32, ESP32, Arduino, or similar)
Familiarity with real-time signal processing and sensor fusion techniques
Comfort working hands-on with hardware systems (sensors, actuators, thermal and electromechanical components)
Strong problem-solving ability and willingness to prototype quickly and iterate
A natural and effective communicator capable of reducing abstract concepts to reality
Able to quickly generate visual and physical definitions of new products that convey key attributes of function
Be naturally curious and relentlessly driven to find better solutions to everyday problems
Embodies SharkNinja's success drivers: Rarely Satisfied, Progress over Perfection, Details Make the Difference, Winning is a Team Sport, Communicate for Impact

Nice To Haves

Experience with MATLAB/Simulink for system modeling, state-space control, and model-based design (including Simulink Coder/code generation)
Background in system identification, including real-time or machine-learning-based modeling
Knowledge of nonlinear optimization algorithms suitable for low-compute, embedded environments
Familiarity with TinyML, CMSIS libraries, or other embedded ML frameworks
Experience with embedded system architecture and designing control software frameworks

Responsibilities

Design and implement real-time control algorithms for appliance subsystems (thermal, fluidic, and electromechanical)
Work directly with pumps, heaters, boilers, AC/DC, and stepper motors, and their drivers
Interface with low-cost sensors (temperature, flow, pressure, torque, etc.) and implement signal processing, filtering, and estimation techniques (e.g., Kalman filters, etc.)
Apply classical control methods (frequency response analysis, PID design, and tuning) to achieve stability and robustness in systems with significant delays and nonlinearities
Rapidly build and iterate prototypes and test rigs to validate algorithms in real hardware environments
Collect and analyze experimental data to identify system dynamics and optimize performance
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop system design, software architecture, and bring control algorithms from concept to embedded deployment