Vehicle Controls Systems Architect

Responsibilities

Systems Architecture & Requirements

• Own high-level systems architecture for vehicle subsystems, defining interactions among mechanical, electrical, and software components.
• Work with internal and external customers to understand requirements and tradeoffs for system design decisions.
• Collaborate with hardware and software leads to develop detailed hardware and software architectures.
• Write, maintain, and trace system and subsystem requirements through integration and test.
• Author and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs), interface description documents, and other systems engineering artifacts.

Systems Integration & Test

• Integrate custom and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) actuation and sensing systems onto vehicle platforms.
• Design unique actuation or sensing solutions when suitable commercial options are unavailable.
• Work hands-on with vehicles to integrate hardware and software components across teams.
• Troubleshoot integration issues across mechanical, electrical, and software boundaries in laboratory and vehicle environments.
• Develop and execute test plans and procedures to validate system and subsystem performance.
• Operate autonomous vehicles to understand how drive-by-wire systems fit into the overall system architecture.

Engineering & Analysis

• Write scripts using tools such as MATLAB, Octave, and Python to process, analyze, and visualize test and telemetry data.
• Generate systems engineering artifacts for safety analysis, including FMEA, fault trees, functional architectures, and allocations.
• Interpret mechanical and electrical CAD models, bills of material, COTS specifications, and drawings.
• Review software design and code to validate system-level behavior and integration impacts.
• Contribute to mechanical, electrical, or software design in areas of expertise.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Communicate with mechanical, electrical, software, and program stakeholders.
• Translate between disciplines to keep integration and test work moving on schedule.

Requirements

• 6+ years of hands-on systems integration and test engineering experience; exceptional candidates with 1–2 years of directly relevant experience may be considered.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Experience working across mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines.
• Experience writing, managing, and tracing system and subsystem requirements on a formal engineering program.
• Experience integrating COTS components, particularly actuation or sensing systems, onto vehicles or complex electromechanical systems.
• Experience interpreting electrical schematics, including PCB, cable, and harness drawings.
• Working knowledge of interface control principles and ICD documentation.
• Ability to review text-based and model-based software and reason about system-level implications of code and design changes.
• Scripting proficiency, such as Python, for processing and analyzing test data.
• Must be a U.S. Person and eligible to obtain a security clearance in the future.
• Willingness to work hands-on with hardware in laboratory and field or vehicle environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience owning systems architecture for a vehicle, robotic, or complex electromechanical platform end to end.
• Experience developing and executing formal test plans and procedures.
• Background in automotive, medical, aerospace, robotics, or defense vehicle programs.
• Proficiency with mechanical design, CAD modeling, and drafting.
• Proficiency with electrical design, eCAD modeling, and cabling or harness design tools.
• Proficiency with C, C++, and/or Simulink-based embedded software development.
• Mechanical and electrical hands-on fabrication experience, such as machining, 3D printing, or cable assembly.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $150,000–$200,000 annually.
• Equity is included in most full-time, high-demand roles.
• Premium healthcare benefits, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for employees and dependents.
• Company-paid basic life/AD&D and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Company holiday calendar, including a December winter break.
• 20 days of accrued paid time off per year.
• At least 7 weeks of fully paid parental leave.
• $9,000 annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• 401(k) plan with company match up to 4%.