PRINCIPAL MOTION CONTROLS EMBEDDED SOFTWARE ENGINEER

CrossFire Group; New Hudson (MI); On-site; USD 92,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

CrossFire Group seeks a Principal Motion Controls & Embedded Software Engineer in New Hudson, MI, onsite. The role focuses on designing and validating embedded control systems for advanced defense and vehicle applications.

Expect hands‑on work with model‑based development, MATLAB/Simulink, and deployment to hardware, with ~10% travel. The ideal candidate has 8+ years in motion/control engineering, strong theory and practical skills, and experience bringing control algorithms from concept to

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a relevant engineering field.
• 8+ years of engineering experience.
• Extensive experience with embedded or motion controls.
• Proven track record developing control algorithms from scratch.

Responsibilities

• Develop motion control algorithms from concept through deployment.
• Implement control strategies using classical/modern techniques.
• Perform stability, robustness, and performance analyses.
• Design and tune multi‑loop, multi‑axis architectures.
• Develop actuator controls for motors and electromechanical systems.
• Deploy algorithms using Simulink and embedded C/C++.
• Support calibration, commissioning, and field troubleshooting.
• Conduct SIL, HIL, bench, and vehicle testing.
• Model electromechanical, hydraulic, and vehicle systems.
• Integrate controllers with hardware and system teams.

Skills

Motion control

Embedded software

Simulink

MATLAB

Stateflow

C/C++

RTOS

Control theory

Model-based development

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

Stateflow

MotoHawk

dSPACE

CAN

LIN

J1939

XCP/CCP

Embedded Linux

RTOS

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

PRINCIPAL MOTION CONTROLS & EMBEDDED SOFTWARE ENGINEER

Location: New Hudson, MI | Onsite
Direct Hire
Salary: $91,500 - $148,000, depending on experience
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Travel: Approximately 10%, primarily within the Great Lakes region

Design Advanced Controls From the Ground Up

Our Client is seeking a Principal Motion Controls & Embedded Software Engineer to design, develop, implement, and validate embedded control systems supporting advanced defense and vehicle applications.

This is a highly technical, hands‑on engineering role for someone who has experience developing motion control algorithms from scratch rather than simply calibrating or modifying existing controls.

The ideal candidate combines strong classical and modern control theory knowledge with model‑based development experience using MATLAB and Simulink and can take a control strategy from initial modeling through embedded deployment and vehicle‑level validation.

TOP QUALIFICATIONS

• Senior‑level experience developing motion control algorithms from scratch
• Experience applying classical and/or modern control techniques to real systems
• Strong model‑based development experience using Simulink
• Embedded controls and software development experience
• Ability to independently solve complex system‑level controls problems

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Motion Controls Development

• Develop motion control algorithms from initial concept through deployment.
• Implement control strategies using classical and modern control techniques.
• Perform stability, robustness, and performance analysis.
• Design and tune multi‑loop and multi‑axis control architectures.
• Develop actuator controls for motors, valves, and other electromechanical systems.
• Deploy algorithms using Simulink and embedded C/C++.
• Support system calibration, commissioning, and troubleshooting.

Testing & Validation

• Develop and validate controls using SIL, HIL, bench, and vehicle testing.
• Analyze system and vehicle test data.
• Correlate simulation models to real‑world performance.
• Diagnose controls, electrical, and system‑level issues.
• Support vehicle‑level deployment and field testing.

System Modeling & Simulation

• Develop state‑space and frequency‑domain system models.
• Model electromechanical, hydraulic, and vehicle systems.
• Apply system identification techniques to characterize real systems.
• Use model results to establish system performance requirements.
• Develop and optimize controls through simulation.
• Apply numerical optimization techniques for control tuning and parameter fitting.

Embedded Systems Integration

• Support selection and integration of electronic controllers and components.
• Determine controller hardware requirements based on I/O and computing needs.
• Partner with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering teams.
• Troubleshoot hardware/software integration issues.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree or PhD in Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field
• 8+ years of engineering experience
• Extensive experience with embedded controls or motion controls
• Demonstrated experience developing control algorithms for physical systems

DESIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS

Strong experience with:

• MATLAB
• Simulink
• Stateflow
• Motion control
• Model‑based controls development
• Embedded C/C++
• Real‑time embedded systems

Knowledge of classical controls may include:

• PID
• Lead‑lag compensation
• Loop shaping
• Root locus
• Feedforward control
• Cascaded control loops

Knowledge of modern controls may include:

• State‑space modeling
• LQR/LQG
• Kalman filtering
• Model Predictive Control
• Robust control
• MIMO system design

Additional experience with the following is valuable:

• Simulink/Stateflow Coder
• MotoHawk
• Raptor
• OpenECU
• dSPACE
• Microcontrollers
• Embedded Linux
• RTOS
• CAN
• LIN
• J1939
• XCP/CCP
• Vector tools
• Kvaser
• INCA
• Ethernet
• TCP/IP
• UDP
• EtherCAT
• DDS
• TSN
• ADAMS
• Dymola
• CarSim/TruckSim
• FMI/FMU

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Experience supporting advanced vehicle or defense systems is highly desirable, including:

• Combat vehicles
• Weapon systems
• Fire control systems
• Turret systems
• Ammunition handling systems
• Autonomous or by‑wire systems
• Electric and hybrid vehicles
• Motors and actuator controls
• Hydraulic and pneumatic systems
• Vehicle and system troubleshooting

Experience with defense‑related software standards or CDRLs is also beneficial.

POSITION DETAILS

This is a fully onsite position in New Hudson, Michigan. Remote work is not available.

The standard schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Additional hours may occasionally be required to support project deadlines.

Approximately 10% travel is expected, primarily to testing sites within the Great Lakes region.

This position supports programs subject to U.S. export‑control requirements. Dual citizenship may be considered depending on the countries involved and applicable program requirements. Candidates must provide any information necessary to determine export‑control eligibility.

Candidates must also be able to meet requirements associated with obtaining a U.S. Government security clearance.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

1. HR phone screen
2. Microsoft Teams interview with the hiring manager
3. Onsite panel interview

#IND1

#ZR

Company Description

Using the best business practices obtained from many years of experience in Business, Law, and Recruiting and Staffing, the Founders at CrossFire Group (“CrossFire”) started in downtown Royal Oak, MI more than a decade ago. With backgrounds in Information Technology (IT) and the Legal Industry, CrossFire began placing by IT and Legal Professionals in contract and direct‑hire positions throughout the Midwest.
Since our founding, CrossFire has grown into a full‑service Human Capital Solutions Organization. We are proud of now providing full services beyond recruiting and staffing. Our portfolio of services includes HR supply chain management, human resources consulting, and many customized Human Resource related services.