Staff Vehicle Dynamics Controls Engineer

Ridealso
Palo Alto, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward candidates with advanced engineering degrees and experience in automotive control systems, comfortable with cross-functional collaboration and simulation-based algorithm development.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with advanced engineering degrees and hands-on calibration experience in automotive control systems
    — “Master's or PhD in Controls, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field”
  • Individuals skilled in simulation tools and algorithm validation for vehicle dynamics
    — “Develop high-fidelity, multi-body plant models using Simscape, MSC Adams, CarSim/TruckSim, or similar tools”
  • Engineers experienced in working across controls, embedded software, and validation teams
    — “Work closely with cross-functional partners across controls, embedded software, and test and validation teams”

Things to consider

  • The role demands significant technical proficiency in real-time embedded systems and simulation environments
    — “Experience developing and validating control algorithms through simulation and in-vehicle or dyno testing”
  • Candidates should be prepared for system-level integration across software, firmware, and vehicle domains
    — “Drive system-level integration issue resolution across software, firmware, and vehicle domains”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize experience in multi-body plant modeling and algorithm benchmarking against real-world scenarios
    — “Build closed-loop virtual simulation environments to design, test, and benchmark motion-planning and trajectory-generation algorithms against critical road scenarios”
  • Highlight your background in state estimation and sensor fusion techniques for real-time control systems
    — “Experience with state estimation techniques and real-time embedded systems or sensor fusion”
  • Showcase your ability to define handling metrics and evaluate performance objectively
    — “Define handling metrics and objective maneuvers; support data analysis and pass/fail evaluation”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Developed and calibrated steering, stability, and traction control algorithms
Typical background
Master's or PhD in Controls, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Matlab/simulinkVehicle Dynamics FundamentalsEmbedded Automotive Software WorkflowsState Estimation TechniquesAutomotive Communication NetworksVersion-control And CI ToolsAdaptive Or Robust Control

Preferred

SimscapeMSC AdamsCarsim/trucksimKalman Filters

Stack & domain

MatlabSimulinkStateflowSimscapeMSC AdamsCarsimTrucksimVector CanalyzerCanapeGitJenkinsKalman FiltersCANEthercatCollaborationProblem-solvingTeamworkElectric MobilityVehicle DynamicsControls Engineering

About the role

Original posting from Ridealso via Ashby

About ALSO.

We’re ALSO, an electric mobility company originally conceived as a part of Rivian. We’re a passionate team of builders, dreamers, doers and innovators, focused on creating entirely new (not to mention, innovative and delightful) vertically integrated, small EVs designed to meet the global mobility challenges of today and tomorrow. Our mission is to inspire everyone to ride ALSO—replacing many local car, truck and SUV miles with ones on vehicles that are more affordable, more enjoyable and 10-50x more efficient.

ALSO is looking for a Vehicle Dynamics Controls Engineer to develop and calibrate world-class stability and traction control software, helping shape the next generation of vehicle dynamics. This role will work closely with cross-functional partners across controls, embedded software, and test and validation teams, taking features through the full software development life cycle from concept and modeling through calibration, validation, and release.

What You Will Do

  • Develop and calibrate steering, stability, and/or traction control algorithms
  • Work with cross-functional partners to define and deliver control features
  • Define handling metrics and objective maneuvers; support data analysis and pass/fail evaluation
  • Build, integrate, and test estimation and control algorithms for vehicle dynamics and related functions
  • Develop and execute test cases both in-vehicle and in simulation
  • Develop and maintain simulation models to validate estimators and control solutions
  • Develop high-fidelity, multi-body plant models using Simscape, MSC Adams, CarSim/TruckSim, or similar tools to analyze complex vehicle dynamics and powertrain responses under dynamic driving conditions
  • Build closed-loop virtual simulation environments to design, test, and benchmark motion-planning and trajectory-generation algorithms against critical road scenarios and dynamic maneuvers
  • Identify, track, and troubleshoot software issues using vehicle and dyno logs
  • Drive system-level integration issue resolution across software, firmware, and vehicle domains

What You Will Bring

  • Master's or PhD in Controls, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
  • Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, including model-based design, Stateflow, and developing automation scripts
  • Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics fundamentals (e.g., understeer/oversteer, tire dynamics)
  • Direct development and calibration experience in one or more of the following systems: Traction Control, VDC/ESP, ABS, AWD, Torque Vectoring, or Electronic Limited Slip Differential
  • Experience developing and validating control algorithms through simulation and in-vehicle or dyno testing
  • Familiarity with embedded automotive software workflows
  • Experience with state estimation techniques and real-time embedded systems or sensor fusion (e.g., observers, Kalman filters)
  • Experience with automotive communication networks (e.g., CAN, EtherCAT) and tools such as Vector CANalyzer or CANape
  • Familiarity with version-control and CI tools (e.g., Git, Jenkins)
  • Background in adaptive or robust control and/or system identification

The salary for this position ranges from $225,000 - $275,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications, and location.

Perks and Benefits (US)

  • Robust health coverage. Excellent health, dental and vision insurance covered up to 100% by ALSO with FSA & HSA options.
  • One Medical membership and dedicated insurance advocates.
  • Rich fertility and family building benefits with Progyny.
  • Flexible time off.
  • 401(k) match.

Global International Perks and Benefits

  • Enhanced private health coverage. Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Mental health and wellbeing support
  • Hybrid working options
  • Pension contributions
  • Life insurance

Why ALSO.

We’re passionate about helping the world find a better way to get there—wherever it is you’re headed.

We’re located in the heart of Silicon Valley and have brought together a world-class team from some of the biggest brands in the technology, automotive, cycling, outdoor recreation and retail spaces. 

Together we’re working hands-on to imagine, design and build an entirely new solution to a global set of transportation challenges.

Source: Ridealso careers (Ashby)

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