Principal Controls Engineer

Vantive; Plymouth (MN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision coverage from

401(k) retirement plan (Aon PEP)

Paid holidays & PTO 20–35 days

Parental leave

Commuting benefits

Employee discount program

Job summary

Vantive seeks a Principal Controls Engineer to advance model-based development for the PrisMax system, shaping control algorithms and embedded software. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust therapy delivery and device safety, while driving verification and documentation practices.

Ideal candidates have 6+ years in control algs for embedded devices, proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink/Stateflow, and hands-on experience with safety-critical medical devices or similar

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in controls/electrical/mechanical/biomedical/systems or related field.
• 6+ years of hands-on experience developing control algorithms for embedded electromechanical products.
• Experience with model-based development using MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow.
• Experience developing medical devices or safety-critical products with requirements traceability and regulatory awareness.

Responsibilities

• Own PrisMax control algorithms from requirements to implementation and lifecycle changes.
• Develop algorithms using MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow for sensors, pumps, motors, valves, alarms, and therapy calculations.
• Define verification approaches including model review, simulation, and testing of integrated software or device behavior.
• Lead technical analysis of test results and drive robust resolutions.
• Mentor engineers in model-based design, controls analysis, and disciplined problem solving.

Skills

MATLAB

Simulink

Stateflow

Control theory

Embedded software

Model-based design

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related engineering discipline

Master’s degree or PhD in related field

Job description

Vantive is a vital organ therapy company on a mission to extend lives and expand possibilities for patients and care teams everywhere. For 70 years, our team has driven meaningful innovations in kidney care. As we build on our legacy, we are deepening our commitment to elevating the dialysis experience through digital solutions and advanced services, while looking beyond kidney care and investing in transforming vital organ therapies. Greater flexibility and efficiency in therapy administration for care teams, and longer, fuller lives for patients- that is what Vantive aspires to deliver.

We believe Vantive will not only build our leadership in the kidney care space, it will also offer meaningful work to those who join us. At Vantive, you will become part of a community of people who are focused, courageous and don’t settle for the mediocre. Each of us is driven to help improve patients’ lives worldwide. Join us in advancing our mission to extend lives and expand possibilities.

Your Role:

As a Principal Controls Engineer supporting Vantive’s Acute Therapies portfolio, you will be a key contributor in the model-based development and verification of control algorithms for the PrisMax system. Your work will shape how the device interprets sensor inputs, controls electromechanical components, manages operating states, and supports safe, reliable therapy delivery.

This is a hands‑on individual-contributor role for an engineer who can take a complex control problem from system behavior and requirements through algorithm design, simulation, embedded implementation, and verification. You partner with Systems, Software, Hardware, Quality, and V&V develop, verify, and document effective control solutions.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Control Algorithm Design and Model-Based Development

• Take technical ownership of complex PrisMax control algorithms, from expected system behavior and requirements through model architecture, implementation, integration, and lifecycle changes.
• Develop and refine algorithms using MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow for functions involving sensors, pumps, motors, valves, alarms, and therapy-related calculations.
• Apply control theory, dynamic-system analysis, and sound engineering judgment to evaluate performance across intended operating conditions, component variation, and foreseeable faults.
• Produce model-generated code and partner with Software Engineering on interfaces, execution behavior, and integration into the device’s embedded software.

Verify Control Algorithms

• Define verification approaches for model-based algorithms, including model review, simulation, coverage analysis, interface testing, and testing of integrated software or device behavior.
• Develop and review test cases that challenge nominal, boundary, fault, and difficult-to-reproduce conditions; ensure expected results and acceptance criteria are clear.
• Lead the technical analysis of test results and discrepancies, distinguish model defects from interface or integration issues, and drive robust resolutions.
• Produce clear, traceable design and verification documentation that supports formal test execution, design reviews, and product development records.

Advance Modeling and Simulation

• Contribute to fit-for-purpose models of device components and system dynamics so control concepts can be evaluated before and alongside physical-device testing.
• Use model-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, and hardware-in-the-loop methods where appropriate to explore design tradeoffs, characterize performance, and expose integration risks.
• Document model assumptions, interfaces, limitations, and supporting evidence so simulation results can be interpreted and reused responsibly.

Strengthen Controls Engineering

• Lead reviews of algorithm designs and verification strategies, making tradeoffs and technical risks visible to cross-functional partners.
• Mentor engineers in model-based design, controls analysis, testability, and disciplined problem solving while remaining directly involved in critical technical work.
• Identify opportunities to improve the controls development practice by introducing reusable models, robust test techniques, and common design practices to enhance the quality and maintainability of control algorithms.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 6+ years of relevant engineering experience, including substantial hands‑on development of control algorithms for embedded electromechanical products.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Controls, Electrical, Mechanical, Biomedical, Systems, or a related engineering discipline.
• Demonstrated experience designing and testing executable control models using MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow, or a closely comparable model-based development environment.
• Experience with model-generated code and its integration into real-time embedded software.
• Experience with plant modeling, physics-based simulation, and model-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, or hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Ability to independently resolve complex technical problems, lead design reviews, and influence complex technical decision making when issues arise.
• Experience developing medical devices or other safety-critical products, including requirements traceability, risk-informed design, configuration control, and formal documentation.
• Experience modeling fluidic, thermal, electromechanical, or physiological-system behavior relevant.

• Advanced Molding and Extrusion techniques (Learning / Doing (1))
• Automation, reliability & smart manufacturing (Applying / Overseeing (2))
• Critical Systems (Applying / Overseeing (2))
• Data Analysis & Analytics (Applying / Overseeing (2))
• Digitalization & Systems Engineering (Applying / Overseeing (2))
• First Principles Thinking (Applying / Overseeing (2))
• Instrumentation (Leading / Driving (4))
• Lean & six sigma process knowledge (Applying / Overseeing (2))
• Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence (Not Applicable (0))
• Manufacturing & Process Knowledge (Applying / Overseeing (2))
• Manufacturing Process Knowledge (Leading / Driving (4))
• Modeling & Simulation (Leading / Driving (4))
• Operational Quality Assurance (Applying / Overseeing (2))
• Process Automation (Applying / Overseeing (2))
• Product / Project Management (Applying / Overseeing (2))
• Product Knowledge (Leading / Driving (4))
• Quality Management Systems (Leading / Driving (4))
• Regulatory Compliance (Leading / Driving (4))
• Smart Operations / Industry 4.0 (Learning / Doing (1))
• Software Integration (API, Data Pipelines) (Not Applicable (0))
• Software Process Management (Leading / Driving (4))
• Sterilization methods (Leading / Driving (4))
• Systems Validation (Leading / Driving (4))

US Benefits at Vantive

Vantive offers comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles. Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage that start on day one, as well as insurance coverage for basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance. Financial and retirement benefits include the Aon Pooled Employer Plan (“Aon PEP”), Vantive’s 401(k) retirement savings plan, to help you prepare for your future. The Aon PEP is designed to improve retirement outcomes by providing retirement resources more efficiently. The plan offers a robust set of investment options, financial education, and a suite of resources to support your retirement goals. We also offer Flexible Spending Accounts, educational assistance programs, and time-off benefits such as paid holidays, paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service, family and medical leaves of absence, and paid parental leave. Additional benefits include commuting benefits, the Employee Discount Program, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and childcare benefits. Join us and enjoy the competitive compensation and benefits we offer to our employees. For additional information regarding Vantive’s US Benefits, please speak with your recruiter or visit our Benefits site: Benefits | Vantive

Equal Employment Opportunity

Vantive is an equal opportunity employer. Vantive evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic.
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Reasonable Accommodation

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