Controls Engineer-Model Based Design

The Manitowoc Company; Shady Grove (PA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Manitowoc Company seeks a Controls Engineer specialized in Model-Based Design to design, develop, verify, implement, and support embedded control systems for mobile crane platforms. You will work with MATLAB/Simulink, Stateflow, and Embedded Coder to create robust, production-ready models and code.

The role emphasizes collaboration across mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and software teams, with a focus on reusable control architectures and standards to reduce development cycles and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Aerospace, Systems, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience developing control systems using Model-Based Design tools (MATLAB/Simulink) or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of control theory, system dynamics, signal processing, and simulation.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional engineering environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop dynamic system models and control algorithms using MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow.
• Design supervisory control logic and state machines using Stateflow.
• Perform controller development for electrohydraulic embedded control systems.
• Generate embedded production code using Embedded Coder.
• Support embedded software integration, debugging, and release activities.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce Model-Based Design standards for reusable models across teams.
• Build reusable model architectures, libraries, and framework components.
• Support requirements traceability by linking system requirements to model elements, tests, and code.
• Collaborate with mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical engineers to translate requirements into executable models.
• Mentor team members on Model-Based Design tools and best practices.
• Apply functional safety principles per ISO/EN standards; perform MIL/SIL/HIL testing.

Skills

Model-Based Design

Control Theory

Cross-Functional Collaboration

AI tooling awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

Stateflow

Embedded Coder

Simscape

Job description

Job Description

The Controls Engineer- Model Based Design will be responsible for the design, development, verification, implementation, and support of embedded control systems using the MathWorks development environment, including MATLAB, Simulink, Stateflow, and related toolchains. The role utilizes a Model-Based Design (MBD) workflow to develop control algorithms, system architectures, simulation models, automated test environments, and production-ready embedded software. This position works closely with systems engineering, software, electrical, hydraulic, mechanical design, and testing to deliver robust, validated, and maintainable control solutions throughout the mobile crane lifecycle.

Why This Role Matters

This role will be instrumental in guiding the development of Manitowoc's next-generation control system architecture, intended to be shared across numerous crane models and platforms. This role is foundational to Manitowoc's transition toward Model-Based Design, enabling control algorithms to be developed, simulated, and validated at the model level before code is generated — reducing development cycles, catching defects earlier, and creating reusable control logic across crane product families.

Responsibilities

• Develop dynamic system models and control algorithms using MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow.
• Design supervisory control logic and state machines using Stateflow.
• Perform controller development for electrohydraulic embedded control systems.
• Generate embedded production code using Embedded Coder.
• Support embedded software integration, debugging, and release activities.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce Model-Based Design standards, including naming conventions, model architecture, documentation, and best practices, to ensure consistent, reusable, and high-quality models across engineering teams.
• Build reusable model architectures, libraries, and framework components.
• Support requirements traceability by linking system requirements to model elements, test cases, and generated code.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical engineers to translate theory of operation and system requirements into executable models.
• Mentor team members on Model-Based Design tools, workflows, and best practices.

Functional Safety And Verification

• Apply functional safety principles in the design of embedded control systems in accordance with applicable standards (e.g., ISO 13849 / EN 13849).
• Execute requirements-based verification and validation activities.
• Perform Model-in-the-Loop (MIL), Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing.
• Develop automated test cases and maintain traceability between requirements, models, tests, and generated code.

AI-Enabled Development Expectations

• Practical experience using AI-assisted tooling to improve productivity or code quality, with judgment to validate, review, and responsibly integrate outputs into safety-critical embedded software.
• Ability to define and promote effective, disciplined use of AI within development workflows.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience developing control systems using Model-Based Design tools (MATLAB/Simulink) or equivalent and relevant work experience.
• Strong understanding of control theory, system dynamics, signal processing, and simulation techniques.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional engineering environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow for developing control algorithms and supervisory logic.
• Experience with CAN, J1939, Ethernet, diagnostics, and telematics systems.
• Knowledge of functional safety standards such as EN ISO 13849, IEC 61508, ISO 26262, or DO-178C.
• Experience with HIL systems and real-time simulation platforms.
• Experience with plant modeling and simulation for virtual system validation, control algorithm development, and Model-Based Design workflows.
• Experience with Git-based version control for Simulink models, MATLAB Projects, and compare and merge Simulink models commands.
• Experience with Simscape, System Composer, Requirements Toolbox, Simulink Test, Simulink Coverage, Simulink Design Verifier, and Embedded Coder.
• Working knowledge of C/C++ sufficient to review and understand generated code and interface with hand-coded modules.
• Experience with requirements management, systems engineering processes, and V-model development framework.
• Background in off-highway, construction, agricultural, or other heavy-duty mobile equipment; ability to interpret electrical and hydraulic schematics and collaborate effectively across disciplines.

Travel Required: International & Domestic 10%

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Manitowoc Company, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.