{"id":491447,"url":"https://alion.io/job/pivotal-motor-controls-engineer-ii-rd","title":"Motor Controls Engineer II - R&D","company":{"id":35040,"name":"Pivotal","domain":"pivotal.aero","url":"https://alion.io/company/pivotal-aero","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Lever","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":94,"open_postings":20,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.05,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":106,"computed_at":"2026-10-17T05:46:00Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"middle","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Palo Alto, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":132000,"max":155000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":155000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":3,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Simulink","optional":false},{"name":"C#","optional":true},{"name":"Git","optional":true},{"name":"Java","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2023-11-16T22:41:13Z","employer_posted_date":"2023-11-16","last_verified_at":"2026-10-19T05:13:44Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":1067,"trust":{"level":"stale","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale"],"days_open":1067},"description":"Pivotal is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Motor Controls Engineer to help develop, implement, and validate control algorithms for electric motors used on our eVTOL aircraft. The engineer will work across modeling, simulation, embedded implementation, and test activities to ensure precise, efficient, and reliable motor control performance under all flight conditions. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in motor control algorithm development and motor controller software architecture along with professional automotive, industrial robotics or aviation experience.\nResponsibilities\nDevelop and tune torque, speed, and current control algorithms (e.g., Field-Oriented Control, Direct Torque Control) using MATLAB/Simulink, and C/C++. \nSupport selection of control architecture, sensing approach, and inverter strategies based on system performance needs. \nCollaborate with electrical, firmware, and mechanical engineers to ensure controller integration with hardware and overall propulsion system performance. \nPerform bench, dynamometer, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing to validate control algorithms. \nAnalyze test and flight data to characterize motor and controller performance, efficiency, and thermal behavior. \nDesign, implement and validate propulsion system failure detection algorithms. \nContribute to model development, data analysis, and parameter identification for simulation and control validation. \nDocument design methods, test procedures, and results. \nQualifications\n3+ years of experience in electric motor control, power electronics, or embedded control systems \nMasters or PhD in related engineering discipline (Aerospace, Mechanical, etc) \nProven experience in designing and developing productized motor controls. \nIn-depth understanding of torque control techniques such as slip-based control, field oriented control, direct torque control. \nPrior experience with flux estimation methods, 3-phase power control, analytical control system theory development and analysis. \nKnowledge of Field-Oriented Control, flux estimation, PWM techniques, and motor parameter identification. \nExperience with various PWM schemes such as space vector, discontinuous, and sinusoidal modulation, including data-acquisition methods. \nSystem-oriented understanding of thermal, system-level torque and velocity control, voltage DC-link integration, efficiency optimization, and firmware integration for electric drives. \nExperience testing and debugging embedded control systems in lab or dynamometer environments. \nProficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++ for algorithm development and embedded deployment. \nStrong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to system-level performance. \nKnowledge of relevant industry standards, regulations, and safety protocols \nHands-on experience through employment, student teams, co-op, and/or personal projects \nDemonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative start-up environment \nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience with version control such as Git \nExperience with TI Instaspin SW bbox \nExperience with Propeller Characterization \nExperience with Dynamometer testing \nExperience with wind-tunnel testing and/or CFD for use in flight dynamics modeling \nProficiency with Python, C#, Java, or other high level languages \nExperience with embedded systems, real-time systems, robotics, or sensors \nInterest in RC planes, quadcopters, or aviation \nAttributes aligned with Core Values\nSafety Above All: Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily work, identifying and mitigating risks, encouraging open dialogue about safety concerns, and continuously improving practices and protocols.\nCustomer Focus: Puts customers at the center of every action by understanding their challenges, delivering meaningful value, and supporting their success.\nWork Better Together: Seeks and values diverse perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication and commitment to shared decisions.\nBe the Pilot: Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes.\nEmbrace the Unknown: Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical approaches to overcome obstacles and drive progress.\nRespect for People: Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support by balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.","description_format":"text","description_chars":4635,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":3,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"master","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Military Logistics"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-07T01:08:59Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":4,"band":"cold","label":"Long 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