Principal Systems Engineer - Torrance, CA

*This is a 6- months contract position* $75/hr to $90/hr (some flexibility)

Must comply with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

Key Skills Needed:

• 8+ years of experience in positioner or relevant actuation system design **Motor/servo control for electrical heavy lift systems and gimbal rotational control**
• Expert level comfort with control requirements, design, and verification
• Experience with multiple gimbal product lifecycles from design concept through build and test
• Experience with linear actuator and/or servo motor driven heavy lift systems (lifting and rotating >5000lbs)
• Experience implementing industrial/military safety standards into motion control systems such as STO, single-fault tolerance, safety-rated components, etc.

Job Summary:

This is an exciting role in a growing company. The ideal candidate for the position is someone who has experience designing, building, and testing heavy lift electromechanical systems such as weapons positioners, construction or manufacturing equipment, and robotics. In this role, you will work closely with a talented engineering team to analyze and design cutting-edge positioner assemblies to steer our high-power microwave systems.

*This is a 6- months contract position*

Responsibilities:

• Own key performance parameters and system requirements for a positioner system, including derivation through modeling and analysis
• Work closely with other engineers to ensure mechanical, electrical, and kinematics designs meet requirements and optimize systems integration
• Lead the component selection and integration of various motion control system elements including motors, actuators, encoders, sensors, drive controllers, control computers, and safety interlocks
• Validate and troubleshoot the motion control system through data logging and analysis
• Hold design reviews and presentations with peers and act as an expert reviewer

Basic Qualifications:

• BS degree in Mechanical, Controls, Electrical, Software, or similar engineering field.
• 8+ years of experience in positioner or relevant actuation system design
• Expert level comfort with control requirements, design, and verification
• Experience with multiple gimbal product lifecycles from design concept through build and test
• Experience with linear actuator and/or servo motor driven heavy lift systems (lifting and rotating >5000lbs)
• Experience tuning PID control algorithms
• Experience implementing industrial/military safety standards into motion control systems such as STO, single-fault tolerance, safety-rated components, etc.
• Ability to understand electrical schematics and control panel diagrams

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience configuring and integrating motor controllers/motor drive unit
• Experience with one or more industrial communication protocols including CANopen, J1939, Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT, Profinet, etc
• Proficiency in C / C++ / Rust and Python
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Collaborative; capable of working across all levels of the organization
• Organized; comfortable working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here .