Staff Vehicle Dynamics Controls Engineer

ALSO; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 225,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

One Medical membership

Progyny fertility benefits

Flexible time off

401(k) match

Hybrid working options

Mental health support

Pension contributions

Life insurance

Job summary

ALSO seeks a Vehicle Dynamics Controls Engineer in Palo Alto to develop and calibrate sophisticated stability and traction control software. You will collaborate with controls, embedded software, and test teams, guiding features through the full software lifecycle from concept to release.

The role requires advanced degree in controls or related field, strong MATLAB/Simulink experience, and deep knowledge of vehicle dynamics and real-time embedded systems.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Controls, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink including Stateflow and automation scripts.
• Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics fundamentals (understeer/oversteer, tire dynamics).
• Experience developing/calibrating control algorithms for Traction Control, VDC/ESP, ABS, AWD, Torque Vectoring, or eLSD.
• Experience with simulation and in-vehicle or dyno testing of control algorithms.
• Familiarity with embedded automotive software workflows and real-time systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and calibrate steering, stability, and/or traction control algorithms.
• Define handling metrics and pass/fail evaluation; support data analysis.
• Build and test estimation and control algorithms for vehicle dynamics.
• Develop and execute test cases in-vehicle and in simulation.
• Create high-fidelity models with Simscape, MSC Adams, CarSim/TruckSim.
• Develop virtual simulation environments for motion-planning and trajectory generation.
• Identify, track, and troubleshoot software issues from logs.
• Drive system-level integration across software, firmware, and vehicle domains.

Skills

Vehicle dynamics fundamentals

State estimation techniques

Sensor fusion

Control algorithm development

Model-based design

Education

Master's or PhD in Controls, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Stateflow

Simscape

MSC Adams

CarSim/TruckSim

CANalyzer

CANape

Git

Jenkins

Job description

About ALSO.

We’re ALSO, an electric mobility company originally conceived as a part of Rivian. We’re a passionate team of builders, dreamers, doers and innovators, focused on creating entirely new (not to mention, innovative and delightful) vertically integrated, small EVs designed to meet the global mobility challenges of today and tomorrow. Our mission is to inspire everyone to ride ALSO—replacing many local car, truck and SUV miles with ones on vehicles that are more affordable, more enjoyable and 10-50x more efficient.

ALSO is looking for a Vehicle Dynamics Controls Engineer to develop and calibrate world-class stability and traction control software, helping shape the next generation of vehicle dynamics. This role will work closely with cross-functional partners across controls, embedded software, and test and validation teams, taking features through the full software development life cycle from concept and modeling through calibration, validation, and release.

What You Will Do

• Develop and calibrate steering, stability, and/or traction control algorithms
• Work with cross-functional partners to define and deliver control features
• Define handling metrics and objective maneuvers; support data analysis and pass/fail evaluation
• Build, integrate, and test estimation and control algorithms for vehicle dynamics and related functions
• Develop and execute test cases both in-vehicle and in simulation
• Develop and maintain simulation models to validate estimators and control solutions
• Develop high-fidelity, multi-body plant models using Simscape, MSC Adams, CarSim/TruckSim, or similar tools to analyze complex vehicle dynamics and powertrain responses under dynamic driving conditions
• Build closed-loop virtual simulation environments to design, test, and benchmark motion-planning and trajectory-generation algorithms against critical road scenarios and dynamic maneuvers
• Identify, track, and troubleshoot software issues using vehicle and dyno logs
• Drive system-level integration issue resolution across software, firmware, and vehicle domains

What You Will Bring

• Master's or PhD in Controls, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, including model-based design, Stateflow, and developing automation scripts
• Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics fundamentals (e.g., understeer/oversteer, tire dynamics)
• Direct development and calibration experience in one or more of the following systems: Traction Control, VDC/ESP, ABS, AWD, Torque Vectoring, or Electronic Limited Slip Differential
• Experience developing and validating control algorithms through simulation and in-vehicle or dyno testing
• Familiarity with embedded automotive software workflows
• Experience with state estimation techniques and real-time embedded systems or sensor fusion (e.g., observers, Kalman filters)
• Experience with automotive communication networks (e.g., CAN, EtherCAT) and tools such as Vector CANalyzer or CANape
• Familiarity with version-control and CI tools (e.g., Git, Jenkins)
• Background in adaptive or robust control and/or system identification

The salary for this position ranges from $225,000 - $275,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications, and location.

Perks and Benefits (US)

• Robust health coverage. Excellent health, dental and vision insurance covered up to 100% by ALSO with FSA & HSA options.
• One Medical membership and dedicated insurance advocates.
• Rich fertility and family building benefits with Progyny.
• Flexible time off.
• 401(k) match.

Global International Perks and Benefits

• Enhanced private health coverage. Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Hybrid working options
• Pension contributions
• Life insurance

Why ALSO.

We’re passionate about helping the world find a better way to get there—wherever it is you’re headed.

We’re located in the heart of Silicon Valley and have brought together a world‑class team from some of the biggest brands in the technology, automotive, cycling, outdoor recreation and retail spaces.

Together we’re working hands‑on to imagine, design and build an entirely new solution to a global set of transportation challenges.