Apply on Employer Site

Pivotal · 1 day ago

Motor Controls Engineer II - R&D

Palo Alto, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid Level

$132K/yr - $155K/yr

3+ years exp

Pivotal is a leader in the electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft market, known for developing the BlackFly and its next-generation aircraft, the Helix. The Motor Controls Engineer will be responsible for developing and validating control algorithms for electric motors in eVTOL aircraft, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal performance under various flight conditions.

AerospaceAir TransportationAutonomous VehiclesManufacturing

Work & Life Balance

H1B Sponsor Likely

Responsibilities

Develop and tune torque, speed, and current control algorithms (e.g., Field-Oriented Control, Direct Torque Control) using MATLAB/Simulink, and C/C++

Support selection of control architecture, sensing approach, and inverter strategies based on system performance needs

Collaborate with electrical, firmware, and mechanical engineers to ensure controller integration with hardware and overall propulsion system performance

Perform bench, dynamometer, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing to validate control algorithms

Analyze test and flight data to characterize motor and controller performance, efficiency, and thermal behavior

Design, implement and validate propulsion system failure detection algorithms

Contribute to model development, data analysis, and parameter identification for simulation and control validation

Document design methods, test procedures, and results

Qualification

Motor control algorithmsMATLAB/SimulinkC/C++Power electronicsEmbedded control systemsTorque control techniquesPWM techniquesDynamometer testingAnalytical skillsSafety mindsetProblem-solving skillsTeam collaboration

Required

3+ years of experience in electric motor control, power electronics, or embedded control systems

Masters or PhD in related engineering discipline (Aerospace, Mechanical, etc)

Proven experience in designing and developing productized motor controls

In-depth understanding of torque control techniques such as slip-based control, field oriented control, direct torque control

Prior experience with flux estimation methods, 3-phase power control, analytical control system theory development and analysis

Knowledge of Field-Oriented Control, flux estimation, PWM techniques, and motor parameter identification

Experience with various PWM schemes such as space vector, discontinuous, and sinusoidal modulation, including data-acquisition methods

System-oriented understanding of thermal, system-level torque and velocity control, voltage DC-link integration, efficiency optimization, and firmware integration for electric drives

Experience testing and debugging embedded control systems in lab or dynamometer environments

Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++ for algorithm development and embedded deployment

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to system-level performance

Knowledge of relevant industry standards, regulations, and safety protocols

Hands-on experience through employment, student teams, co-op, and/or personal projects

Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative start-up environment

Preferred

Experience with version control such as Git

Experience with TI Instaspin SW bbox

Experience with Propeller Characterization

Experience with Dynamometer testing

Experience with wind-tunnel testing and/or CFD for use in flight dynamics modeling

Proficiency with Python, C#, Java, or other high level languages

Experience with embedded systems, real-time systems, robotics, or sensors

Interest in RC planes, quadcopters, or aviation

Benefits

Medical

Dental

Vision

401k plans

Company

Pivotal

Pivotal develops and builds antonymous, electric propulsion VTOL aircraft for people & cargo in consumer, defense & public safety markets

Founded in 2016

Palo Alto, California, USA

51-200 employees

https://pivotal.aero

H1B Sponsorship

Pivotal has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)

Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship

Represents job field similar to this job

Trends of Total Sponsorships

2025 (8)

2024 (6)