Servo Controls and Actuation Engineer

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. in Poway, CA is seeking a Senior Electro-Mechanical Engineer - Servo Controls to join the ASI Electrical Engineering group.

You will analyze, design, and test control algorithms for servo systems in unmanned aircraft and related systems, traveling to GA-ASI facilities as needed. The role requires experience with analog, digital, S-domain and Z-domain control design, plus hands-on hardware and lab testing to verify performance and troubleshoot issues,

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline with 2+ years of engineering experience.
• Experience in closed-loop control analysis and design including S-domain and Z-domain controllers.
• Must have analytical and practical knowledge of electro-magnetic and mechanical devices.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, design, develop, support and troubleshoot control algorithms for servo systems and related avionics.
• Design and analyze analog/digital, S-domain and Z-domain controllers with modeling and simulation.
• Perform lab and field tests, collect data, and support production documentation.

Skills

Closed-loop control analysis

S-domain and Z-domain design

Electro-mechanical systems

DoD Security Clearance

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering

Tools

MATLAB

C programming

Job description

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.

Job Summary

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Electro-Mechanical Engineer - Servo Controls within our ASI Electrical Engineering group. The position is located in Poway, CA.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Analyze, design, develop, support and troubleshoot control algorithms for servo systems, antiskid brakes, environmental control systems and power electronics for unmanned air vehicles and ground support equipment.
• Will be responsible for analog, digital, S-domain and Z-domain controller design with appropriate analysis, modeling and simulation.
• Responsibilities also include electrical, mechanical and software test and/or test support in the lab and in the field to verify system performance and troubleshoot problems. This includes test set-up and test data collection.
• Multidisciplinary responsibilities include plant characterization of electronics, electromagnetic devices, servo mechanisms and aircraft structures.
• Responsibilities also include requirements definition for individual servo components (electric motors - power, speed, torque; gear trains - reduction ratios, lash, friction characteristics; feedback devices - resolution, accuracy, noise, etc). This includes supporting in-house design or locating off-the-shelf vendor components and/or helping vendors develop components to meet requirements.
• Responsible for all documentation necessary for sound engineering development (lab notebooks, test reports, trade studies, block diagrams, hand sketches, theory of operations, white papers, etc).
• Responsible for all documentation necessary to support production (test procedures, test records, bill of materials, interface control drawings, source control drawings, change requests, change notices, etc).
• Responsible for generating documentation as necessary for customer support (slide presentations, field instructions and troubleshooting memos, field alert bulletins).
• Will also be required to travel to GA-ASI and military test facilities (El Mirage, Grey Butte and other US facilities) to perform engineering tests and provide engineering support as needed.
• Required to travel to vendor facilities to provide engineering support and/or vendor evaluation as needed (US).
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelors or masters degree in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and two or more years of engineering experience with a bachelors degree. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Experience in closed loop control analysis and design including S-domain and Z-domain controllers.
• Must have analytical and practical knowledge of electro-magnetic and mechanical devices.
• Must have hands on hardware experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance is required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Background in analysis, design and product development.
• Experience with analysis in Microsoft Excel and/or MATLAB.
• Familiarity with C programming.
• Experience with system verification test methods (phase-gain stability determination using small signal swept sine or random noise, and large signal transient disturbances).
• Familiarity with digital filtering, understanding of different types of filters FIR, IIR, Butterworth, etc.
• Familiarity with Linear Quadratic Regulator and Estimator approaches to quasi optimal steady state and non-steady state controls solutions.
• Familiarity with simulation techniques including the Runge-Kutta methods of non-linear simulations.
• Experience with state space approaches to analyzing controls problems as well as classical frequency domain methods.
• Self-motivated. Completes tasks with little supervision.
• Can-do attitude that doesn’t shy away from new challenges, making adjustments and solving problems real time.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 68,770 - 116,193