Lead Vehicle Controls and Interface Engineer

Voiceflow; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Flexible vacation policy

Job summary

May Mobility is seeking a Lead Vehicle Controls and Interface Engineer to own the development of the ADK controls interface, enabling portability across vehicle platforms. You will design and implement algorithms to control body functions—brake, steer, throttle—and push fidelity to improve rider comfort.

Expertise in simulation, energy management, and embedded programming is essential. You will lead cross‑functional engineering efforts, define verification plans, and ensure safety standards are

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, controls, or robotics from an accredited university.
• 8+ years experience in vehicle controls or embedded automotive engineering.
• Experience deploying control algorithms for brake, steer, throttle.
• Proficiency in embedded C/C++ for real‑time systems.
• Ability to design abstraction layers across multiple platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop a platform-agnostic controls abstraction layer for ADK integration with new vehicle platforms.
• Create ICDs to ensure seamless communication between base vehicle components and autonomy/software.
• Develop control algorithms for body controls, brake, steer, and throttle focusing on rider comfort.
• Apply automotive networking knowledge (CAN‑FD, Automotive Ethernet) and safety standards.
• Define DVP&R, validate algorithms in simulation and with HIL testing; lead debugging of prototypes.
• Incorporate energy management into control strategies and interfaces.
• Set vehicle dynamics targets and verify performance across programs.
• Collaborate with systems engineering, architects, and OEM partners.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers.

Skills

Embedded software

Control systems

Vehicle dynamics

C/C++

CAN / Automotive Ethernet

Model-based design

System architecture

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Controls/Robotics

Master’s or PhD (Desirable)

Tools

CAN

Automotive Ethernet

Model-based design tools

Job description

May Mobility is transforming cities through autonomous technology to create a safer, greener, more accessible world. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, May develops and deploys autonomous vehicles (AVs) powered by our innovative Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) technology that literally reimagines the way AVs think.

Our vehicles do more than just drive themselves - they provide value to communities, bridge public transit gaps and move people where they need to go safely, easily and with a lot more fun. We’re building the world’s best autonomy system to reimagine transit by minimizing congestion, expanding access and encouraging better land use in order to foster more green, vibrant and livable spaces. Since our founding in 2017, we’ve given more than 500,000 autonomous rides to real people around the globe. And we’re just getting started. We’re hiring people who share our passion for building the future, today, solving real-world problems and seeing the impact of their work. Join us.

Job Summary

The Lead Vehicle Controls and Interface Engineer owns the development and abstraction of May Mobility’s vehicle controls interface, enabling the Autonomous Driving Kit (ADK) to be portable across the widest possible variety of vehicle platforms. This role designs and develops the algorithms used to communicate with and control core vehicle functions — body controls, brake, steer, and throttle — while advancing the fidelity of those controls to improve rider comfort. Beyond enabling basic functionality, this role ensures that vehicle dynamics remain a first-class part of active developmen. Success in this role requires expertise in simulation, energy management, and embedded programming, along with the technical leadership to set direction for vehicle controls across current and future platforms.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a platform-agnostic controls abstraction layer, defining the interfaces that allow the ADK to integrate efficiently with new vehicle platforms
• Develop and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) to ensure seamless communication between base vehicle components and autonomy, powertrain, and telematics software
• Spearhead the development of control algorithms for body controls, brake, steer, and throttle, prioritizing rider comfort and ride quality
• Apply deep domain expertise in automotive network topologies (CAN-FD, automotive Ethernet, FlexRay), embedded software (C/C++), and functional safety standards across controls and interface design
• Define Design Verification Plans (DVP&R); validate control algorithms in simulation and through hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing; and lead hands‑on debugging of physical prototypes
• Integrate energy management considerations into control strategies and interface design
• Establish vehicle dynamics targets and verify performance against them throughout development
• Leverage a system level understanding of our products and technologies to support cross‑functional engineering efforts
• Collaborate with systems engineering, system architects, and OEM platform partners to align controls interfaces across programs
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers
• Performing FMEA analysis, tracking findings to resolution

Skills and Abilities

Success in this role typically requires the following competencies:

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Ability to multitask and adapt to shifting priorities in a fast‑paced work environment
• Understanding of agile startup and engineering principles and mindset
• Deep expertise in control systems and control theory, with application to vehicle dynamics
• Proficiency in embedded software development for real‑time control systems
• Proficiency with simulation and model‑based design tools for control development and validation
• Experience designing abstraction layers or portable interfaces across hardware platforms
• Working knowledge of vehicle networking and E/E architecture, such as CAN and automotive Ethernet
• Curiosity to learn and desire to improve
• Passionate about self‑driving cars and their impact on the world
• Strong working knowledge of ADAS/Autonomous Vehicle systems

Qualifications and Experience

Candidates most successful in this role typically hold the following qualifications or comparable knowledge or experience:

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Controls, Robotics, or a related field from an accredited university
• 8+ years experience in vehicle controls, embedded controls, or related automotive engineering working on combined hardware/software products
• Experience developing and deploying control algorithms for vehicle functions, such as brake, steer, and throttle
• Proficiency in embedded programming, such as C/C++, for real‑time systems

Desirable

• A Master’s or PhD in Controls, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or equivalent experience
• Experience abstracting vehicle controls across multiple platforms or supporting OEM platform programs
• Knowledge of autonomous vehicle technologies, such as LIDAR, radar, ethernet, and CAN
• Experience in Autonomous Vehicles, Machine Learning, and Robotics
• Experience working in a startup

Physical Requirements

• Standard office working conditions which includes but is not limited to:
  • Prolonged sitting
  • Prolonged standing
  • Prolonged computer use
• May require periodic work in a vehicle, laboratory, or test environment
• Travel required? - Minimal to Moderate: 5%-15%

Benefits and Perks

• Comprehensive healthcare suite including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability plans. Domestic partners who have been residing together at least one year are also eligible to participate.
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Healthcare and Dependent Care Accounts available.
• Rich retirement benefits, including an immediately vested employer safe harbor match.
• Generous paid parental leave as well as a phased return to work.
• Flexible vacation policy in addition to paid company holidays.
• Total Wellness Program providing numerous resources for overall wellbeing

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and/or people of color are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every qualification. At May Mobility, we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workforce, so if you’re excited about this role but your previous experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway! You may be the perfect candidate for this or another role at May.

Want to learn more about our culture & benefits? Check out our website!

May Mobility is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetics or any other legally protected basis. Below, you have the opportunity to share your preferred gender pronouns, gender, ethnicity, and veteran status with May Mobility to help us identify areas of improvement in our hiring and recruitment processes. Completion of these questions is entirely voluntary. Any information you choose to provide will be kept confidential, and will not impact the hiring decision in any way. If you believe that you will need any type of accommodation, please let us know.

Salary Range $150,000 — $180,000 USD