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Senior Motor Control Engineer

Irvine, CA

Aerospace is at a turning point — costs are rising, supply chains are strained, and old ways of building can’t keep up. At Neon Aero, we’re breaking that mold. We move fast, think big, and combine start-up agility with aerospace expertise to design, build, and scale aircraft in ways the industry has never seen. Our team leverages automation, AI-driven tools, and a fully connected digital backbone to accelerate innovation and reduce barriers to production.

Here, you won’t just take a job — you’ll help reinvent how the world flies. If you’re ready to solve complex problems, push technology further, and work alongside some of the brightest minds in aerospace, this is your chance to make a real impact.

We’re seeking a Senior Motor Control Engineer with deep technical expertise and a passion for building control systems that deliver precision, safety, and reliability. In this role, you won’t just write algorithms, you’ll own the control system architecture and lead the development and implementation of high-performance motor control algorithms for linear and rotary actuators. You will own the 20 kHz current control loop, as well as velocity and position control, running on real-time motor-control microcontrollers. Experience with real-time motor-control microcontrollers such as TI C2000, STM32, NXP, or comparable platforms. Familiarity with TI C2000, particularly the F280034SPN is a plus but not required.

You’ll work hands-on developing, validating, and launching aviation-grade actuation and motor-drive control systems, collaborating closely with Systems, Electrical, and Manufacturing teams to ensure robust integration, certification readiness, and alignment with ambitious company objectives. This role spans algorithm design, embedded implementation, modeling, calibration, and hardware bring-up, with direct responsibility for performance, robustness, and testability… as well as the opportunity to see your solutions take flight.

Key Responsibilities

Motor Control Algorithms & Architecture

  • Lead the design and implementation of motor control software for PMSM / BLDC motors
  • Own FOC-based current control (20 kHz loop), including torque, velocity, and position control
  • Design and maintain control architecture spanning current, velocity, and position loops
  • Develop sensor-based FOC, including encoder and current-sensor signal conditioning
  • Implement sensor offset calibration and runtime compensation
  • Develop and evaluate sensorless control strategies where applicable

Embedded Implementation (TI C2000)

  • Implement real-time motor control software on TI C2000 microcontrollers, specifically F280039Series or equivalent.
  • Configure and optimize PWM modules
  • Configure and optimize ADC sampling and synchronization
  • Configure and optimize interrupt timing and control loop determinism
  • Develop low-level drivers and middleware as needed for motor control execution
  • Ensure numerical stability, timing closure, and safe operation under all modes

Modeling & Control Design

  • Apply model-based design methodologies for control development and validation
  • Build and maintain motor, inverter, and actuator models across operating conditions
  • Perform motor parameter identification and estimation to support robust control
  • Use models to inform controller structure, gains, limits, and protection strategies

Controller Tuning & Calibration

  • Perform rule-based controller tuning for current, velocity, and position loops
  • Develop or integrate FOC auto-tuning strategies
  • Support calibration workflows for performance, robustness, and protection
  • Analyze lab data to refine control performance and stability margins

Development, Integration & Test

  • Support auto-code generation from control models where appropriate
  • Integrate motor control software with higher-level embedded systems
  • Develop and execute SIL, MIL, and HIL test strategies
  • Support hardware bring-up, debugging, and system-level integration
  • Participate in design reviews, code reviews, and requirements definition
  • Author clear technical documentation for algorithms, software, and test results

Required Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in motor control software development
  • Deep hands-on experience with FOC-based motor control
  • Proven experience implementing motor control on MCUs (e.g. TI C2000, NXP, STM or similar)
  • Direct experience with F28003x / F280039 strongly preferred
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Control theory
    • Power electronics
    • Electric machines
    • Real-time embedded systems
    • Proficiency in Model-based design tools (e.g. MATLAB / Simulink or similar)
    • Proficiency in embedded C/C++ for real-time applications
    • Experience with SIL / HIL / MIL testing environments
    • Comfortable working close to hardware in lab environments

Preferred / Bonus Experience

  • Sensorless motor control algorithms
  • High-bandwidth current loops (≥10–20 kHz)
  • Linear actuator control systems
  • Auto-code generation workflows
  • Functional safety or safety-critical systems exposure (DO-178, ISO 26262 concepts)
  • Aerospace, automotive, or robotics actuation systems

Why This Role Matters

  • You will own the core control loops that determine actuator performance
  • Your work directly affects precision, efficiency, and reliability of flight-critical systems
  • You’ll operate with real technical ownership; not just implementation tickets
  • You’ll help define how Neon Aero builds scalable, high-performance actuation platforms

 

This is the expected compensation range for this role. Final compensation will be based on role scope, experience, skills, internal equity and location. This role may also be eligible for bonus/equity/benefits, if applicable.

$150,000 - $250,000 USD

Neon Aero, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

All final candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening as a condition of employment.

At this time, Neon Aero and its divisions are not accepting unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies.

 

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