Embedded Software & Control Lead

Zobility; Michigan; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Zobility in Michigan seeks an experienced Embedded Software & Control Lead to guide a small engineering team through embedded controls, software development, system modeling and simulation, and rigorous testing for advanced defense systems.

The role combines hands-on technical leadership with team development, mentoring, and resource planning to deliver complex, real-time embedded solutions. Strong background in embedded Linux and motion control is essential for success.

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in embedded controls engineering.
• Strong hands-on background in embedded software and control systems.
• Experience leading small, high-performing engineering teams of 5–10 engineers.
• Experience with resource management including staffing and workload planning.
• Mentor and retain engineering talent.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of approximately 5–10 controls and software engineers.
• Define controls architecture, software platforms, and technical approaches.
• Oversee embedded software development on microcontroller, Linux, and RTOS platforms.
• Develop real-time control algorithms and system integration plans.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for successful execution and testing.
• Support customer interactions, design reviews, and proposals.

Skills

Embedded controls

Motion control

Embedded Linux

C/C++

Real-time systems

Team leadership

Resource management

Mentoring

Staffing

Project execution

Education

Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Stateflow

RTOS

CAN

Job description

We are seeking a Embedded Software & Control Lead to lead a high-performing engineering team responsible for embedded controls, software development, system modeling and simulation, system integration, characterization, and testing for advanced defense systems.

This is a hands-on technical leadership position for an experienced controls engineer who can provide technical direction while also managing and developing a small engineering team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in embedded controls, motion control and/or Embedded Linux, along with experience leading teams, managing engineering resources, and mentoring technical talent.

The Team Lead will oversee approximately 5–10 engineers and work closely with software, electrical, mechanical, systems, and program management teams to deliver complex defense systems from architecture through integration and testing.

Top Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in embedded controls engineering.
• Strong experience in motion control and/or Embedded Linux.
• Proven experience leading and building small, high-performing engineering teams of 5–10 engineers.
• Experience with resource management, including staffing, workload planning, effort estimation, and technical resource allocation.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, develop, and retain engineering talent.
• Strong hands-on technical background in embedded software and control systems.
• Experience working on complex, real-time embedded systems.
• Ability to balance technical leadership, people management, and project execution.
• 6+ years of engineering experience required.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of approximately 5–10 controls and software engineers.
• Establish individual and team goals and support performance management and career development.
• Build and maintain a high-performing engineering organization.
• Identify staffing needs and support recruiting and hiring activities.
• Manage engineering resources, workload, priorities, and project assignments.
• Estimate engineering effort and identify required technical skillsets.
• Support employee retention and technical capability development.
• Assist with department planning, budgeting, and process improvement.
• Provide technical leadership while remaining hands-on with engineering activities.

Controls & Embedded Software Leadership

• Lead technical execution of embedded controls and software development programs.
• Define controls architecture, software platforms, system functionality, and technical approaches.
• Develop and support embedded software using C/C++ on microcontroller, Linux, and/or RTOS-based platforms.
• Lead development and implementation of real-time control algorithms.
• Ensure software development complies with applicable engineering standards and program requirements.
• Work with cross-functional project leads to ensure successful technical execution.
• Support customer interactions, technical reviews, design reviews, and proposal activities.
• Drive software integration, characterization, verification, and system testing.

System Modeling & Simulation

• Develop multi-domain models of mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and electronic systems.
• Use MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow for system modeling, simulation, and controls development.
• Develop and test control algorithms using model-based development methodologies.
• Correlate simulation models with test data and validate system performance.
• Define system performance metrics and specifications based on model and test results.
• Support vehicle and system-level simulation using tools such as:
• ADAMS
• Dymola
• CarSim
• TruckSim
• FMI/FMU

Hardware & System Integration

• Support the design, selection, and integration of electronic components and controllers.
• Determine controller hardware requirements based on I/O, processing, communication, and computational requirements.
• Communicate mechanical and electrical system requirements to cross-functional engineering teams.
• Support actuator control systems, including motors, valves, and by-wire systems.
• Troubleshoot complex electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and software integration issues.
• Support system characterization, validation, and testing.

Required Technical Skills

Embedded Controls & Software

• Embedded software development using C/C++.
• Experience with microcontrollers, Embedded Linux, and/or RTOS platforms.
• Strong understanding of real-time embedded systems.
• Strong knowledge of control theory and control system implementation.
• Experience with motion control is highly desirable.

Experience with:

• PID control
• Loop shaping
• Feedforward control
• Cascaded loop architectures

Experience with:

• State-space modeling
• LQR/LQG
• Robust control

Model-Based Development

Experience with MATLAB/Simulink/Stateflow and embedded model-based development tools such as:

• Simulink/Stateflow Coder
• MotoHawk
• Raptor
• OpenECU
• dSPACE

Defense & Vehicle Systems Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

• Weapon systems
• Combat vehicle engineering
• Defense vehicle controls
• Military vehicle electronics
• Advanced vehicle control systems

Standards & Compliance

Knowledge of applicable defense, aerospace, software, electronics, communications, and functional safety standards, including:

• DO-178C
• DO-254

Experience delivering defense software CDRLs is highly desirable.

Communication & Networking

• Ethernet
• TCP/IP
• UDP
• EtherCAT
• DDS
• TSN

Automotive communication protocols and tools

• CAN
• LIN
• J1939
• XCP/CCP
• Vector
• Kvaser
• INCA

Additional Technical Experience

• Actuator controls for motors and valves.
• Electric and hybrid vehicle architectures.
• Vehicle and system-level troubleshooting.
• Electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic system design and simulation.
• Data acquisition hardware and software.
• Hardware/software integration and system validation.

Education

Required:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in:

• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Mechatronics Engineering
• or a closely related engineering discipline.

Work Schedule

• Infrequent night, weekend, or extended hours may be required for project surge support, testing, customer requirements, or to meet critical program deadlines.
• Some travel may be required.
• Occasional on-site customer support may be required.

Physical Demands

• Position requires light physical activity.
• May occasionally require standing, walking, and working in laboratory, test, manufacturing, or customer-site environments.
• Reasonable accommodations may be available for qualified individuals with disabilities.