Sr. Controls Engineer
About The Position
The Sr. Controls Engineer plays a critical role in defining, modeling, and refining the control systems that enable reliable HADES product performance during threat engagements. This role develops full‑system models to understand capability, predict behavior, and guide design decisions across the product line. The controls team owns the broader controls architecture—from component‑level loops to full‑system control—across frequency domains ranging from 10 Hz to MHz. As a hands‑on technical subject matter expert, the Sr. Controls Engineer collaborates with mission modeling, software, firmware, and hardware teams to translate system‑level requirements into practical control solutions. They evaluate stability and performance margins, improve control strategies, and ensure alignment between system models, control implementations, and physical hardware. A key responsibility is correlating model predictions with measured hardware behavior to identify gaps, improve fidelity, and accelerate technical improvements. Success in this role is demonstrated through stable, robust engagement performance; trusted full‑system Simulink models; and control architectures that can be effectively implemented, tested, and evolved with cross‑functional partners. All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/. Please review this information before applying.
Requirements
- Commitment to Excellence, Attention to Detail, and Pride in Workmanship.
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment and maintain strong working relationships under pressure.
- Ability to execute independently and lead technical efforts in support of program milestones.
- Demonstrated proficiency designing, analyzing, and tuning robust feedback control systems, including stability and performance‑margin evaluation.
- Ability to develop system‑level models, use simulation to guide design decisions, and correlate model results with hardware test data.
- Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or C#.
- Hands‑on experience integrating, tuning, and troubleshooting control systems on physical hardware.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to convey technical results, risks, and tradeoffs across cross‑functional teams.
- Possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced knowledge of estimation, sensor fusion, observer design, system identification, or signal processing.
- Experience using measured system data for plant modeling, system identification, and model‑to‑hardware correlation.
- Knowledge of robust, stochastic, nonlinear, or adaptive control methods.
- Experience modeling or analyzing cascaded, asynchronous, distributed, or networked control systems.
- Proficiency in Simulink for system modeling, simulation, verification, and control‑system design.
- Familiarity with real‑time embedded implementation (C++, CUDA, FPGA development, or HDL).
- Background in robotics, path planning, attitude determination, or related GNC applications.
- Experience with HIL/SIL or other model‑based verification approaches.
- Experience with adaptive optics, optomechanical systems, electro‑optical systems, or precision beam‑control architectures.
- Existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain full‑system Simulink models to understand HADES capability, predict behavior, and guide control‑system design decisions.
- Correlate models with hardware test data to improve fidelity, identify technical risks, and assess performance across operating conditions.
- Define and refine controls architecture spanning component‑level loops through full‑system control across broad frequency domains.
- Develop robust control strategies and translate system‑level requirements into implementable control algorithms.
- Lead controls‑focused hardware integration, debugging, commissioning, and tuning in laboratory and representative test environments.
- Verify stable, responsive, and robust control performance during integrated system operation and engagements.
- Partner with mission modeling, software, firmware, and hardware teams to ensure models, embedded controls, and physical hardware work together as intended.
- Communicate technical risks, test results, and design tradeoffs clearly to drive informed decisions.
Benefits
- 4 weeks Paid Time Off per year
- 11 paid holidays
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision, and Dental Care paid 100% for employees and 75% for dependents
- Paid Family Leave
- employer‑paid Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability
- Competitive 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
