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Salary: USD 135,000 - 200,000 / annual
True Anomaly is seeking a Senior Motor Control Engineer to lead the design, development, and integration of motor control systems for spacecraft mechanisms. Reporting to the Mechanisms Engineering Manager, you will own the motor control domain end-to-end—from control algorithm development and firmware implementation through drive electronics design, testing, and on-orbit validation.
You will be responsible for motor control solutions that drive precision pointing gimbals, solar array drive assemblies (SADA), deployment mechanisms, and other critical actuation systems across spacecraft platforms. As a senior contributor, you will define motor control architectures, drive technical trades balancing performance and reliability, mentor team members, and collaborate closely with mechanisms, avionics, GNC, and test teams to deliver high-reliability solutions for space.
Key responsibilities include:
- Own design and development of motor control systems for spacecraft mechanisms, including brushless DC motors, stepper motors, and associated drive electronics
- Develop motor control firmware for precision actuation systems, including closed-loop servo control, commutation algorithms, and fault detection
- Design and prototype motor drive electronics, including gate drivers, power stages, current sensing, and feedback interfaces
- Develop and implement control algorithms for precision pointing, tracking, and positioning applications with tight stability and disturbance rejection requirements
- Define motor control architecture and interface requirements for SADA, SADE, deployment mechanisms, and precision gimbals
- Lead COTS component selection and qualification for motor control systems
- Collaborate with GNC team to integrate motor control systems into spacecraft attitude determination and control loops
- Lead motor and actuator trade studies, including performance modeling, power budgeting, thermal analysis, and reliability assessment
- Develop test plans and lead testing campaigns for motor control systems
- Develop and maintain motor control documentation, including control specifications, firmware design documents, test procedures, and integration guides
- Support hardware through integration, launch, and on-orbit operations, including commissioning and troubleshooting
- Drive continuous improvement of motor control architectures, test approaches, and development processes
True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority, building autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors to enable the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats.
QUALIFICATIONS (Required):
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of professional experience in motor control engineering
- Experience with stepper motor control and microstepping techniques
- Strong background in control theory, including PID control, state-space methods, and stability analysis
- Experience with motor control firmware development in C/C++ for embedded systems
- Experience designing motor drive electronics, including gate drivers, power stages, and current sensing circuits
- Proficiency with simulation and analysis tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, or similar
- Experience with motor control testing using oscilloscopes, power analyzers, dynamometers, and torque measurement systems
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI clearance
- Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State (ITAR compliance)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
- Experience with spacecraft motor control systems, including SADA, reaction wheels, or precision pointing mechanisms
- Experience with radiation-tolerant motor control design and fault mitigation strategies for space applications
- Experience with high-reliability motor control design practices and derating analysis
- Knowledge of position feedback systems including resolvers, encoders, and Hall effect sensors
- Experience with PCB design tools (Altium Designer preferred) and schematic capture for motor drive circuits
- Familiarity with FPGA-based motor control implementation
- Experience with thermal management for motor drive electronics in vacuum environments
- Knowledge of MIL-SPEC and NASA standards applicable to spacecraft motor control systems
- Experience working in a fast-paced, startup environment or similarly dynamic setting
