Principal Controls Engineer

Vantive • Plymouth, MN

7d • $108,000 - $148,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Principal Controls Engineer supporting Vantive’s Acute Therapies portfolio, you will be a key contributor in the model-based development and verification of control algorithms for the PrisMax system. Your work will shape how the device interprets sensor inputs, controls electromechanical components, manages operating states, and supports safe, reliable therapy delivery. This is a hands-on individual-contributor role for an engineer who can take a complex control problem from system behavior and requirements through algorithm design, simulation, embedded implementation, and verification. You partner with Systems, Software, Hardware, Quality, and V&V develop, verify, and document effective control solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 6+ years of relevant engineering experience, including substantial hands-on development of control algorithms for embedded electromechanical products.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or PhD in Controls, Electrical, Mechanical, Biomedical, Systems, or a related engineering discipline.
• Demonstrated experience designing and testing executable control models using MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow, or a closely comparable model-based development environment.
• Experience with model-generated code and its integration into real-time embedded software.
• Experience with plant modeling, physics-based simulation, and model-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, or hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Ability to independently resolve complex technical problems, lead design reviews, and influence complex technical decision making when issues arise.
• Experience developing medical devices or other safety-critical products, including requirements traceability, risk-informed design, configuration control, and formal documentation.
• Experience modeling fluidic, thermal, electromechanical, or physiological-system behavior relevant.

Responsibilities

• Take technical ownership of complex PrisMax control algorithms, from expected system behavior and requirements through model architecture, implementation, integration, and lifecycle changes.
• Develop and refine algorithms using MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow for functions involving sensors, pumps, motors, valves, alarms, and therapy-related calculations.
• Apply control theory, dynamic-system analysis, and sound engineering judgment to evaluate performance across intended operating conditions, component variation, and foreseeable faults.
• Produce model-generated code and partner with Software Engineering on interfaces, execution behavior, and integration into the device’s embedded software.
• Define verification approaches for model-based algorithms, including model review, simulation, coverage analysis, interface testing, and testing of integrated software or device behavior.
• Develop and review test cases that challenge nominal, boundary, fault, and difficult-to-reproduce conditions; ensure expected results and acceptance criteria are clear.
• Lead the technical analysis of test results and discrepancies, distinguish model defects from interface or integration issues, and drive robust resolutions.
• Produce clear, traceable design and verification documentation that supports formal test execution, design reviews, and product development records.
• Contribute to fit-for-purpose models of device components and system dynamics so control concepts can be evaluated before and alongside physical-device testing.
• Use model-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, and hardware-in-the-loop methods where appropriate to explore design tradeoffs, characterize performance, and expose integration risks.
• Document model assumptions, interfaces, limitations, and supporting evidence so simulation results can be interpreted and reused responsibly.
• Lead reviews of algorithm designs and verification strategies, making tradeoffs and technical risks visible to cross-functional partners.
• Mentor engineers in model-based design, controls analysis, testability, and disciplined problem solving while remaining directly involved in critical technical work.
• Identify opportunities to improve the controls development practice by introducing reusable models, robust test techniques, and common design practices to enhance the quality and maintainability of control algorithms.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage that start on day one
• Insurance coverage for basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance
• Aon Pooled Employer Plan (“Aon PEP”), Vantive’s 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Educational assistance programs
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service
• Family and medical leaves of absence
• Paid parental leave
• Commuting benefits
• Employee Discount Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Childcare benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal