Senior Principal Control Systems Engineer

Coherent Aerospace & Defense Inc, Emerging Products & Technologies (EP&T) Business Unit is seeking a Senior Principal Control Systems Engineer to provide (1) expert controls guidance, (2) iterative controller design and analysis, (3) integration & testing problem solving, and (4) design and review of test and verification plans for high-precision gimbal systems in air, land, sea and space environments. Each program will have unique performance, environmental, reliability and documentation requirements.  A primary goal of this position is to standardize and modularize various control applications and sub-systems which can be utilized by multiple programs with varying functional needs.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will have relevant expertise in controls development, requirement development, mechanical and electrical interfaces, software integration, and data analysis, with specific experience in aerospace and defense related applications. This role involves leading projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and providing technical leadership throughout the entire development lifecycle.  The candidate will also have the breadth of controls experience necessary to address non-gimballed systems, such as high-power laser systems. The Principal Controls Systems Engineer responsibilities include:

• Controls Engineering: 
• Design, develop, and implement new precision line-of-sight pointing and tracking controller solutions.  Analysis of motion control requirements (e.g. jitter, customer line-of-sight optical analysis, FEM analysis, and system performance requirements); using MATLAB, Simulink, or similar tools design and implement simulations, models, algorithms necessary to achieve and verify customer performance requirements. 
• Design, develop, and implement actuation systems for high-speed coherent combination of arrayed laser systems and optical benches.
• Leads controls engineering efforts and ensures design concepts comply with customer’s specifications and are fieldable by implementing on testbed hardware and troubleshooting program-deliverable hardware as necessary. 
• Guides and supports motion control system acceptance testing plans and procedures. Provides motion control problem-solving efforts throughout the organization. 
• Adheres to project/program financial goals and provides financial estimates and status updates to engineering and program management. 
• Additional administrative, documentation, and technical support to management is also expected.
• Business Development: 
• Serves as controls engineering technical representative on new business opportunities and specialized projects. 
• Supports needs for customer interface in meetings and other industry events as required. Insight into customer base and precision line-of-sight motion control industry is expected. 
• Contributes to technical proposals for the development of new business and assists the estimation group in evaluating technical requirements, identifying exceptions, and preparing cost estimates for customer quotes.
•  Technology Innovation: 
• Exhibits an exceptional degree of ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness to develop advanced technologies, processes, and concepts related to the design and manufacturability of precision pointing and tracking systems. 
• Extends controls knowledge base and technical capabilities in the field of line-of-sight motion control design, implementation, and test for precision pointing and tracking systems.    
• Research &Development: 
• Plans controls-centric projects, solves complex problems, and provides technical expertise and guidance to the organization in areas of motion control. 
• Serves as the expert and technical lead on critical programs/projects in the area of precision pointing and tracking systems. 
• Central figure in defining and creating controls, motion system, and precision pointing system differentiators.
• Design, develop, and implement new precision line-of-sight pointing and tracking controller solutions.  Analysis of motion control requirements (e.g. jitter, customer line-of-sight optical analysis, FEM analysis, and system performance requirements); using MATLAB, Simulink, or similar tools design and implement simulations, models, algorithms necessary to achieve and verify customer performance requirements. 
• Design, develop, and implement actuation systems for high-speed coherent combination of arrayed laser systems and optical benches.
• Leads controls engineering efforts and ensures design concepts comply with customer’s specifications and are fieldable by implementing on testbed hardware and troubleshooting program-deliverable hardware as necessary. 
• Guides and supports motion control system acceptance testing plans and procedures. Provides motion control problem-solving efforts throughout the organization. 
• Adheres to project/program financial goals and provides financial estimates and status updates to engineering and program management. 
• Additional administrative, documentation, and technical support to management is also expected.
• Serves as controls engineering technical representative on new business opportunities and specialized projects. 
• Supports needs for customer interface in meetings and other industry events as required. Insight into customer base and precision line-of-sight motion control industry is expected. 
• Contributes to technical proposals for the development of new business and assists the estimation group in evaluating technical requirements, identifying exceptions, and preparing cost estimates for customer quotes.
• Exhibits an exceptional degree of ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness to develop advanced technologies, processes, and concepts related to the design and manufacturability of precision pointing and tracking systems. 
• Extends controls knowledge base and technical capabilities in the field of line-of-sight motion control design, implementation, and test for precision pointing and tracking systems.    
• Plans controls-centric projects, solves complex problems, and provides technical expertise and guidance to the organization in areas of motion control. 
• Serves as the expert and technical lead on critical programs/projects in the area of precision pointing and tracking systems. 
• Central figure in defining and creating controls, motion system, and precision pointing system differentiators.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM discipline and 12+ years of relevant experience, or master’s degree and 10+ years of relevant experience, or PhD with 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Prior experience in controls development 

Skills

Preferred Skills And Experience:

• Expert controls engineering experience and related expertise in design, analysis, simulation, and test of precision pointing and tracking systems, laser systems and optical benches.
• Extensive experience in conventional design & analysis software packages to support new product development such as MATLAB, Simulink, or similar tools.
• Expert hands-on experience in characterization of motion control systems performance.
• Expert hands-on experience in test and verification of motion control systems.
• Exceptional analytical, fault isolation and problem solving skills. 
• Embedded software, ASIC and FPGA development experience is highly desireable
• DOD experience strongly desired.
• Exceptional technical skills and intuitive ability to identify continuous process improvement opportunities. 
• Experience participating in technical program presentations internally and for customers.
• Advanced experience in new business development with experience writing technical proposals, estimating effort and schedule/timelines to support business development activities.
• Experience with CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and C/C++ to support analytical studies and solution integration with software engineering is desirable.
• Must be capable of reading engineering drawings.
• Computer skills in word processing and spreadsheet software, including MS Word, Excel.
• Strong organization skills and attention to details required.
• Outstanding verbal and written technical communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve results independently or working with others.

Working Conditions

• Job operates in a professional office environment, manufacturing floor, and in clean room facilities
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines
• Work in a cubicle area – must be able to work in environment where employees are on the phone / speaking causing potential distractions throughout the day.
• Noise level – Usually moderate for the manufacturing floor and clean room facilities

Physical Requirements

• Standing. Particularly for sustained periods of time. 25% of the time.
• Walk. Occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Talking. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other employees accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing. Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.
• Lifting. Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles. No more than 10 to 15 pounds.
• Sedentary Work. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Visual acuity. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent A&D EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

• Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
• Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
• Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
• Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
• Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
• Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This role involves access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws. Therefore, to be considered, candidates must be classified as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license.

Must be eligible for and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Secret Clearance, (or higher if required).

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.