AstroTalentSpace Jobs

Senior Motor Control Engineer Verified today

True Anomaly · Denver, CO · Long Beach, CA · Electronics · first seen 2026-10-06
Apply at True Anomaly →

Your Mission

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 our 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.

Responsibilities

  • Own the 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 solar array drive assemblies (SADA), solar array drive electronics (SADE), deployment mechanisms, and precision gimbals
  • Lead COTS component selection and qualification for motor control systems, including motors, drivers, sensors, and feedback devices
  • Collaborate with the 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, including characterization, environmental testing, and life testing
  • 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

Qualifications

  • 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

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
  • Experience with spacecraft motor control systems, including solar array drive assemblies (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 a similarly dynamic setting

Compensation

  • Base Salary: $135,000 - $200,000
  • Equity plus benefits including health, dental, vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401(k), and parental leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

Additional Requirements

  • Ability to maintain or obtain TS/SCI clearance
  • U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State for ITAR compliance
  • Work location: Centennial or Long Beach. Hybrid work environment with required on-site work