Embedded Drive Controls Engineer

Phoenix Technical Solutions; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

IRA with company match

Paid holidays

Vacation

Job summary

Wabtec Freight in Erie, PA seeks a Drives Control Engineer to develop locomotive drive control systems, from algorithm design to validation, across propulsion, braking, and supervisory domains.

The role emphasizes model-based development using MATLAB/Simulink and Stateflow, integration with software and hardware teams, and hands-on testing in SIL/HITL environments for reliable performance.

Qualifications

• Experience with drive control concepts and control code mapping to models.
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical/electronics discipline with related experience (3–6 years).
• Ability to design, test, and validate control algorithms for locomotive drive systems.

Responsibilities

• Identify and capture requirements; design drive control systems across propulsion, braking, and supervision.
• Develop detailed control designs and define interfaces between propulsion, braking, and auxiliary systems.
• Create robust test vectors; run desktop simulations; support SIL/HITL verification environments.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure integration with heavy electrical components.
• Lead full-cycle design and development of new drive control features using MATLAB/Simulink/Stateflow.
• Propose design modifications and troubleshoot drive control systems.
• Support engineering lab and field validation testing.

Skills

C/C++

MATLAB/Simulink

Stateflow

Embedded architectures

Motor control algorithms

Power electronics

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Stateflow

Job description

Title: Drive Controls Engineer – Locomotive and OHV Systems

Location: Wabtec Freight, Erie, PA

Job Description

We’re looking for a dynamic Drives Control Engineer to be responsible for all tasks and deliverables related to locomotive, OHV propulsion and auxiliary drive control system development, including control algorithm design, software requirements development, model-based implementation, integration, verification, and validation activities. The Drives Control Engineer will work closely with Wabtec Systems, Software, Power Electronics, and Verification teams to develop, maintain, and enhance locomotive drive control functionality.

Responsibilities

• Work cross functionally to identify and capture requirements and execute the design of drive control systems.
• Develop detailed control designs and define critical interfaces connecting propulsion, braking, auxiliary, and supervisory systems.
• Develop robust test vectors, execute desktop simulation testing, and support Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) verification environments.
• Interface/work with other engineering teams during developmental stages to ensure successful integration with the function of heavy electrical componentry.
• Manage the full-cycle design and development of new drive control system features. Including the build, simulation, and modification of model-based control architectures using MATLAB/Simulink and Stateflow.
• Use creativity to find solutions for design modifications and troubleshooting of drive control systems.
• Directly assist and support engineering lab and field validation testing.

Desired Skills

• Experience in using (C++, C, MATLAB, etc), with knowledge of various other common languages (including vintage languages).
• An understanding of control logic function and its interaction between major electrical components.
• The ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Past design experience working with embedded architectures, combined with a strong ability to read, analyze, and map legacy C/C++ control code back into modern control models.
• Deep understanding of motor control algorithms, converter/inverter topologies, torque/speed regulation, and power electronics management.
• Ability to create engineering experiments and execute testing to create workable solutions for drive controls systems.
• Background designing protection functions, fail-safes, and complex embedded diagnostic/fault management loops.
• Additional experience/knowledge with locomotive embedded systems design a plus.

Qualifications/Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Computer Science or a Technical Discipline with 3 to 6 years of related experience.

Benefits

Phoenix Technical Solutions offers an attractive compensation and benefits package; including health, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life, IRA with generous company match, paid holidays, vacation and more. Our global commitment to technological advancement offers opportunities for personal growth and development in a stable, supportive work environment.