Principal Robotic Control Systems Engineer

About the role

Astrolab is seeking an experienced Principal Robotic Control Systems Engineer to support the development of control systems for extra-terrestrial rovers. Key responsibilities include defining control system requirements, leading design and analysis, tuning, and testing of vehicle control systems, and supporting calibration of integrated hardware/robotic control systems.

Responsibilities

• 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)
• 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
• 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)

Requirements

• Basic Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a STEM-related field, 15+ years of experience developing robotic control systems, 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, 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

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM-related field
• 15+ years of experience developing robotic control systems
• 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
• 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

Skills

• Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) or model-based design methodologies

Benefits and Perks

• 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