Staff Robotic Control Systems Engineer

Title: Staff Robotic Control Systems Engineer Location: Hawthorne, California / remote

Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale. The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

Astrolab is seeking an experienced control systems engineer to support development of control systems for extra-terrestrial rovers such as in-house motor controller development, vehicle mobility system control, robotic arm control, and high gain communication antenna pointing control. Control system development will include initial simulation and design of vehicle control systems, control system performance analysis, gain tuning, and supporting software and integrated hardware/software development and testing.

Note: Some travel may be required for this position

• Define control system requirements from vehicle and subsystem level functional and performance requirements
• Lead design, analysis, development, tuning, verification, and validation of vehicle control systems
• Build system simulations for controller design and analysis in appropriate tools (e.g. Matlab, Simulink, Python) and mature simulations as additional test data becomes available
• Design and prototype appropriate controllers that meet the defined requirements using simulations and control system design tools (e.g. Matlab control system toolbox)
• Support sizing and selection of integrated robotic control system components (sensors and actuators) such as motion sensors, cameras, motor encoders, motors, and similar
• Support (and potentially lead) development of integrated hardware/software control system testbeds and testing of prototype controllers using these testbeds
• Analyze and tune controller performance, stability, and robustness using the system simulations, testbeds, and test data
• Develop control system documentation and work with vehicle software team to convert controller prototypes into flight code, including supporting unit and integrated testing of flight implementations
• Work with vehicle software team, avionics team, integration and test team to verify flight control system implementation and performance
• Support integrated vehicle guidance, navigation, and control system simulation and performance analysis
• Support calibration of integrated hardware/robotic control systems (e.g. robotic arm calibration)

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) related field
• 10+ years of experience developing robotic control systems across the full lifecycle, from concept development through flight operations
• 10+ years of experience designing, developing, testing, analyzing, and tuning robotic control systems for extra-terrestrial rovers, including mobility systems, robotic arms, or similar robotic mechanisms, with direct experience developing motor controller control loops and robotic arm control systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing, building, and utilizing testbeds to validate control systems on flight-like hardware, including development and execution of test plans

• Experience collaborating across engineering disciplines to mature control system designs from concept through flight operations

• Experience providing technical guidance, mentorship, or leadership to control systems engineers

• Experience developing, testing, and validating control system simulation and analysis tools

• Experience analyzing and tuning the performance of robotic control systems

• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink, MATLAB Control System Toolbox, or equivalent control system design and analysis tools

• Strong technical writing, communication, and presentation skills

• Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration

• Equity ownership in the company

• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support

• 401(k) plan with company match

• Flexible PTO and parental leave

• Home office set up reimbursement

• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site

• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks