Motor & Controls Hardware Test Engineer

OpenAI; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Hybrid work model

Job summary

OpenAI is seeking a Motor and Controls Hardware Test Engineer in San Francisco to own test strategy for motors and control systems. You will work hands‑on with dynos, HIL/SIL systems, and embedded hardware to validate and optimize motion control from prototype to production.

We value candidates who can switch between first‑principles analysis and practical problem solving, collaborating across hardware, controls, and systems integration to deliver robust performance across diverse applications.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in motor design and control theory.
• Experience across multiple domains (traction drives, robotics, compressors, or similar).
• Strong background in power electronics and control algorithms.
• Proficient in scientific programming (Python, MATLAB/Simulink).
• Hands-on experience testing embedded systems and developing factory calibration workflows.
• Ability to diagnose whether performance issues stem from hardware, controls, or other subsystems.

Responsibilities

• Test and characterize motor performance, including tolerance and parameter analysis for design, manufacturing, and integration.
• Evaluate and optimize motor control algorithms (BLDC, PMSM, and others) to meet motion quality requirements.
• Integrate and validate sensing technologies such as encoders, resolvers, and current/voltage sensors.
• Set up and run motor test infrastructure, including dynos, hardware-in-the-loop, and software-in-the-loop systems.
• Apply modeling and simulation tools to tune, calibrate, and validate control loops (torque, speed, position) and observers.
• Test and refine control features like commutation alignment, torque ripple compensation, and loop shaping.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to debug and resolve system‑level issues in development and field testing.

Skills

Motor design

Control theory

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++

Embedded testing

Tools

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

Dynos

HIL

SIL

Job description

OpenAI is seeking a Motor and Controls Hardware Test Engineer in San Francisco to own test strategy for motors and control systems. You will work hands‑on with dynos, HIL/SIL systems, and embedded hardware to validate and optimize motion control from prototype to production.

We value candidates who can switch between first‑principles analysis and practical problem solving, collaborating across hardware, controls, and systems integration to deliver robust performance across diverse applications.