Staff Motor Control Engineer (UAS / Autonomous Flight Systems)

Knightwerx; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Knightwerx is hiring a Staff Motor Control Engineer to lead development and validation of advanced motor control algorithms and electric propulsion control systems for Group 1-3 UAV platforms.

You will develop highly efficient propulsion architectures, fault-tolerant control, and flight-critical software while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure mission success and system reliability. This role is based in the United States with a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience developing motor control systems, electric propulsion systems, power electronics, or embedded controls.
• Strong understanding of BLDC motors, PMSM motors, Field Oriented Control (FOC) and digital control theory.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink and model-based design.
• Experience developing controls on embedded hardware platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize motor control algorithms for UAV propulsion systems.
• Design, implement, and tune Field Oriented Control (FOC) and sensorless strategies.
• Improve propulsion efficiency, thermal performance, and aircraft endurance.
• Collaborate with GNC, Embedded Software, Avionics, and Systems Engineering teams.
• Interface with ESCs, power electronics, batteries, and aircraft power systems.
• Support development of flight-critical and mission-critical control software.

Skills

C/C++

Motor control

Embedded controls

System identification

FOC/Digital control

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Electrical or Aerospace Engineering or Robotics

Tools

PX4

ArduPilot

UAVCAN

MAVLink

Job description

Own the Controls That Keep Autonomous Aircraft in the Air

If you are the type of engineer who wants to see your work leave the lab, take flight, and directly influence mission success, this is that opportunity. Knightwerx is building American-made, AI-powered unmanned aerial systems for defense, commercial, and remote sensing applications. We seek a Staff Motor Control Engineer to lead development and validation of advanced motor control algorithms and electric propulsion control systems for Group 1-3 UAS platforms.

The Technical Challenge

Develop highly efficient, fault-tolerant propulsion architectures, advanced BLDC and PMSM motor control, power management strategies, and flight-critical propulsion systems that improve endurance, reliability, and autonomous mission performance.

What You'll Do

Motor Control Development

• Develop and optimize motor control algorithms for UAV propulsion systems
• Design, implement, and tune Field Oriented Control (FOC) and sensorless control strategies
• Improve propulsion efficiency, thermal performance, and aircraft endurance
• Define control requirements and propulsion system architectures
• Support development of power management and energy optimization systems

Controls & Software Integration

• Collaborate with GNC, Embedded Software, Avionics, and Systems Engineering teams
• Integrate propulsion controls with flight controllers and autonomous mission systems
• Support development of flight-critical and mission-critical control software
• Interface with ESCs, power electronics, batteries, and aircraft power systems

Verification & Flight Testing

• Develop Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test environments
• Perform motor characterization, system identification, and control validation
• Support bench, ground, and flight testing activities
• Analyze flight test data and implement performance improvements
• Troubleshoot and resolve propulsion system issues in development and flight environments

Technical Leadership

• Lead root-cause investigations for propulsion and power system challenges
• Mentor engineers and promote controls engineering best practices
• Evaluate emerging propulsion and power electronics technologies
• Contribute to technical roadmaps and future product development

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience developing motor control systems, electric propulsion systems, power electronics, or embedded controls
• Strong understanding of BLDC motors, PMSM motors, Field Oriented Control (FOC), system identification, and digital control theory
• Strong proficiency in C/C++
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink and model-based design
• Experience developing controls on embedded hardware platforms
• Strong analytical, debugging, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced startup environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with Group 1-3 UAS platforms
• Experience with electric aircraft propulsion systems
• Experience developing or tuning Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs)
• Prior work on autonomous aircraft, drones, eVTOL, or aerospace systems
• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or custom flight-control architectures
• Familiarity with CAN, UAVCAN, and MAVLink
• Experience supporting flight testing and flight data analysis
• Understanding of aircraft batteries, power distribution, and energy management systems
• Experience with SIL/HIL environments and automated testing frameworks
• Experience with aerospace or mission-critical software verification processes

Why Knightwerx

• Work on technology with real-world impact
• Help shape products from concept through deployment
• Small, highly technical team with significant ownership and influence
• Direct access to engineering and company leadership
• Opportunity to move quickly and see your work deployed
• Competitive compensation and benefits package

About Knightwerx

Knightwerx develops American-made, AI-powered unmanned aerial systems and remote sensing technologies for commercial and government customers. Our platforms enable human-machine teaming, advanced autonomy, and mission-critical decision-making in demanding operational environments.