Staff Systems Engineer

Signal Processing & Instrumentation: 

• Design and validate sensor signal conditioning chains for LVDTs, strain gauges, load cells, and piezoelectric/IEPE accelerometers 

• Apply DSP techniques — filtering (FIR/IIR), FFT/PSD/FRF analysis, and sampling strategies — to ensure signal integrity across the analog-digital boundary 

• Define ADC requirements (resolution, dynamic range, latency) from application needs; troubleshoot signal quality issues including ground loops, EMI, and cabling 

Real-Time Systems & Control: 

• Design hard real-time firmware with deterministic scheduling, interrupt management, and multi-rate task structures 

• Architect and implement control algorithms (PID variants, cascade, feedforward, gain scheduling) for precision actuator/sensor systems 

• Develop system identification procedures, auto-tuning workflows, and simulation models (Simulink, Python) to validate algorithms before firmware deployment 

Firmware & Embedded Software: 

• Write production-quality embedded C/C++ for real-time targets (ARM Cortex-R/M, DSP cores, Intel platforms) 

• Integrate peripherals (SPI, I2C, DMA, ADC/DAC) and design firmware architectures that cleanly separate real-time control, communications, and configuration layers 

• Develop HALs/BSPs for new hardware platforms; use standard debug tools (JTAG, trace, logic analyzers) to verify real-time performance 

Industrial Communications: 

• Architect and implement EtherCAT-based communication for distributed I/O systems, including object dictionary design, PDO mapping, and slave stack development 

• Working knowledge of complementary protocols: Modbus, CANopen, CAN FD 

Hardware Design & PCB Architecture: 

• Lead hardware architecture definition and component trade studies for new platforms 

• Apply mixed-signal PCB design principles: signal partitioning, grounding, power planes, thermal management, and controlled impedance 

• Select components with attention to lifecycle, sourcing risk, industrial temperature ratings, and obsolescence; support design reviews with awareness of CE, UL, and EU CRA requirements 

Permanent Magnet Motor Inverter Design: 

• Design inverter hardware for motors across low-voltage (12–48V) and high-voltage (400–800V) ranges, including gate drive circuits, DC bus filtering, snubber networks, and current sensing 

• Select and apply power switching devices (SiC MOSFETs, IGBTs) with appropriate thermal management strategies for sustained motorsport duty cycles 

• Implement field-oriented control (FOC) in firmware: Clarke/Park transforms, PI current regulators, PWM generation, and rotor position decoding (encoder/resolver or sensorless) 

• Tune and validate drive performance across the full operating envelope; implement protection logic for overcurrent, overvoltage, thermal derating, and safe-state discharge 

• Ensure compliance with HV safety, insulation, and interlock requirements for motorsport applications 

Systems Integration & Leadership: 

• Trace requirements and failure modes across the full analog → digital → firmware → software stack; lead cross-discipline design reviews that span hardware/software boundaries 

• Decompose and allocate requirements across HW/FW/SW teams; develop system-level integration test plans and acceptance criteria 

• Author architecture trade studies and technical position documents for leadership 

• Mentor junior engineers and elevate team capability across the embedded systems discipline 

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field 

• 7+ years of hands-on experience spanning embedded firmware, analog hardware design, and real-time control systems 

• Demonstrated experience with EtherCAT or a comparable industrial fieldbus in a production environment 

• Experience designing or integrating motor drive systems for PMSM/BLDC motors; motorsports background a plus 

• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and Python for simulation and algorithm development 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to author clear technical documentation 

Skills and Competencies 

• Simulation: MATLAB/Simulink, Python 

• EDA: Altium, OrCAD, or equivalent schematic capture and layout tools 

• Embedded: target IDE, JTAG, compiler toolchains 

• Version control and documentation: Git/Azure DevOps 

Physical Demands (US only) 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.