Senior Model-Based Control Software Engineer – Ninja

About Us 

SharkNinja is a global product design and technology company, with a diversified portfolio of 5-star rated lifestyle solutions that positively impact people’s lives in homes around the world. Powered by two trusted, global brands, Shark and Ninja, the company has a proven track record of bringing disruptive innovation to market and developing one consumer product after another has allowed SharkNinja to enter multiple product categories, driving significant growth and market share gains. Headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts with more than 4,100 associates, the company’s products are sold at key retailers, online and offline, and through distributors around the world. 

 

Senior Model-Based Control Software Engineer – Ninja

SharkNinja is seeking a Senior Model-Based Control System Design Engineer to join our innovative Ninja team. We are looking for a technically strong, hands-on engineer with a deep understanding of control systems and model-based design, a passion for product innovation, and a proven track record in leading complex, cross-functional projects from concept through mass production.

As a senior member of the Ninja Control Systems team, you focus on developing real-time optimization and control algorithms for low-compute hardware that drive the next generation of smart household appliances. You will leverage model-based design methodologies to develop, simulate, validate, and deploy control algorithms from system-level models to embedded implementation. You will play a pivotal role in developing smart systems that are the “brain” in our most complex and powerful new products. The Senior Model-Based Design Engineer is involved in the full product lifecycle from early-stage concept development and prototyping all the way to mass production, continuously iterating and making improvements throughout the process.

The engineer owns the system models that serve as the single source of truth for system behavior, ensuring traceability from requirements to implementation and validation. The senior engineer provides technical leadership, mentors junior engineers, and owns the control strategy and system design across multiple product lines. You will collaborate with R&D, Product Development, and Advanced Engineering to ensure seamless integration of electronics, software, and mechanical systems.

Essential Functions:

Leadership and Strategy:
Lead the architecture, design, and ownership of advanced control systems across diverse product platforms, serving as the technical authority for system behavior, control strategy, and cross-domain integration.

System-Level Modeling Ownership:
Develop and maintain high-fidelity system models (plant + control) that represent the dynamic behavior of electromechanical systems. Ensure models are used as the foundation for requirements definition, design validation, and software implementation.

Model-Based Design & Simulation:
Develop, simulate, and validate control algorithms using tools such as MATLAB/Simulink and related MBD toolchains.
Support auto-code generation workflows and ensure alignment between models and embedded implementation.

Programming and Simulation:
Utilizing programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, C++, and others relevant to control systems engineering. Using simulation and modeling of mechatronic systems to validate control strategies and design choices.
Experience with automatic code generation and integrating generated code into embedded systems.

Control Software Definition & Prototyping:
Define, prototype, and validate control software behavior, algorithms, and system state machines that serve as the reference implementation for production embedded firmware.
Use models as executable specifications for control logic and state machines.

Advanced Control Techniques:
Employ advanced control strategies, including PID, Model Predictive Control (MPC), adaptive control, and robust control, to address complex control challenges in real-time applications in low-compute devices.

Signal Processing:
Apply signal processing algorithms for noise reduction, feature extraction, and system optimization. This includes expertise in filter design, Fourier transforms, and spectral analysis to enhance the accuracy and reliability of control systems.

Embedded Software Collaboration:
Work closely with embedded software engineers to review code-level implementations, validate correctness against control specifications, and ensure alignment with intended system behavior and system-level requirements.
Ensure consistency between model-generated code and hand-written embedded code.

Nice to have:

Collaboration and Documentation:
Work closely with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive control solutions. Develop and maintain thorough documentation, including functional specifications, design specifications, test plans, and procedures, to ensure project clarity and continuity.
Maintain model documentation and ensure traceability between requirements, models, and implementation.

Design and Development:
Design, develop, and test control systems tailored for consumer appliances. This includes integrating mechatronics principles to ensure the seamless operation of software and mechanical systems with electronic control. Use simulation-driven design to evaluate system performance early in development.

Attributes:

Strong theoretical understanding of control systems’ fundamentals and the ability to apply this to deliver robust, elegant, and innovative solutions to real-world controls challenges
Strong intuition for system dynamics and ability to translate physical behavior into mathematical models.

Solid analytical skills, attention to detail, and relentless drive to identify potential problems and take responsibility for their resolution

Intellectual curiosity and creativity, strong logical thinking skills, and a positive can-do attitude

Willingness to roll up sleeves and get your hands dirty testing and troubleshooting issues

Ability to clearly, effectively, and concisely communicate with both technical and non-technical colleagues both verbally and in writing

Comfortable multitasking and responding quickly to shifting priorities without losing sight of longer-term projects and goals

Qualifications:

M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Computer Engineering, or a related field.

5+ years of industry experience in control systems engineering, including end-to-end product development, from concept through production.

Deep understanding of classical and advanced control theory, including PID, MPC, adaptive, and robust control methods, with a strong track record of real-world implementation.

Strong experience with model-based design workflows using MATLAB/Simulink or similar tools.

Mid-level proficiency in Python, C/C++, and MATLAB/Simulink for algorithm development, simulation, and embedded control deployment.

Proficient with analog and digital electronics, sensors, actuators, motor drivers, power electronics, and test equipment commonly used in electromechanical systems and small appliances.

Demonstrated competency in electromechanical prototyping using platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or custom embedded solutions.

Ability to debug electromechanical failures using logic analyzers, oscilloscope, etc.

Experienced in using industry-standard development tools, source control (e.g., Git), and documentation platforms.

Skilled in preparing and delivering technical documentation, design reviews, and project plans for cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Experience with auto-code generation, embedded coder tools, or equivalent is strongly preferred.

This is a hands-on, in-person role based at our Needham, MA office due to close work with prototypes and lab-based development.