Senior Control Systems Engineer

Brightwing; Wixom (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightwing is seeking a Senior Control Systems Engineer to design, develop, integrate, and validate advanced vehicle control systems, including electrified powertrains and autonomous platforms. You will work with multidisciplinary teams through concept, simulation, hardware integration, testing, and validation, applying model-based development and MATLAB/Simulink to build robust control solutions.

This role emphasizes precision, communication, and collaboration across engineering disciplines to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in an engineering field.
• At least 3 years in controls engineering or embedded systems.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement control strategies for vehicle applications.
• Define control system architecture and interface requirements.
• Create control algorithms using MATLAB/Simulink.
• Evaluate controller performance via simulation and vehicle validation.
• Support commissioning, calibration, and troubleshooting of prototype vehicles.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams during development.

Skills

Controls engineering

Embedded systems

Vehicle development

Analytical skills

Troubleshooting

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science

Mechatronics Engineering

Related engineering discipline

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Model-based development

Simulation tools

Job description

If you're a systems-level thinker that loves the idea of working on a wide variety of projects, never doing the same thing over and over, this is the perfect role for you!

We are seeking Senior Control Systems Engineers to support the design, development, integration, and validation of advanced vehicle control systems. This role will contribute to the development of next-generation vehicle technologies, including electrified powertrains, autonomous systems, and vehicle platforms.

The ideal candidate will apply engineering fundamentals and model-based development techniques to create and implement robust control solutions. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, this individual will support the entire development process, from concept and simulation through hardware integration, system commissioning, and vehicle testing.

Key Responsibilities:

Control System Development

• Develop and implement control strategies for vehicle and subsystem applications.
• Define control system architecture, software functionality, and interface requirements.
• Create control algorithms using model-based development tools such as MATLAB®/Simulink®.
• Evaluate and optimize controller performance through simulation, bench testing, and vehicle validation activities.
• Support commissioning, calibration, and troubleshooting of prototype and development vehicles.
• Participate in verification and validation efforts to ensure system performance and reliability.

Modeling and Simulation

• Develop dynamic models of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and electromechanical systems.
• Analyze simulation results to establish performance targets and design requirements.
• Correlate analytical models with physical test data and refine models as needed.
• Utilize simulation tools to support control algorithm development and system optimization.
• Conduct trade studies and performance assessments to guide engineering decisions.

Electronics and Hardware Integration

• Assist in the specification, selection, and integration of sensors, actuators, controllers, and other electronic components.
• Define controller hardware requirements, including processing capability, communications, and I/O needs.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers to support overall vehicle integration.
• Develop and communicate harness, wiring, and connector requirements for prototype and production-intent systems.
• Support system-level debugging and issue resolution during development and testing activities.

Vehicle Development and Testing

• Participate in prototype vehicle builds and commissioning activities.
• Support laboratory, proving-ground, and field testing efforts.
• Diagnose and resolve vehicle-level control and integration issues.
• Assist in test planning, execution, and documentation of results.

Additional Responsibilities

• Interface with customers, suppliers, and project stakeholders to communicate technical information and project status.
• Support engineering project planning, scheduling, and execution activities.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives and engineering best practices.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, test documentation, and design reviews.
• Provide input regarding future technology development, product enhancements, and system requirements.
• Collaborate effectively within cross-functional engineering teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in:
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Mechatronics Engineering
• Or a related engineering discipline
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in controls engineering, embedded systems, vehicle development, or a related technical field.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced development environment.
• High attention to detail and commitment to engineering excellence.