Embedded Software & Controls Lead - Defense

About Pratt Miller, An Oshkosh Company

Pratt Miller is a product development company in motorsports, defense, and mobility industries providing clients with product engineering and low-volume production solutions. Our range of research & development, engineering, prototype manufacturing, test & validation, and low-rate production capability help our customers bring their high-quality products to market faster.

The Defense Controls Engineer Team Lead will oversee a small team responsible for controls and software development, system integration, characterization, and testing. This position requires a deep understanding of embedded systems, control theory, and real-time software design. In addition to technical leadership, the role provides direct supervision and career development to 2‑7 direct reports, supporting performance management, recruitment, and process development.

• Leadership
  • Manage performance, development, and goal setting of direct reports
  • Mentor and develop technical capabilities within the team
  • Assist with employee retention and recruitment
  • Assist with budget and department goal setting
• Controls Software Technical Leadership
  • Lead technical execution of embedded controls and software scope
  • Estimate effort and identify required skillsets
  • Work with cross‑functional project leads to ensure project success
  • Define controls architecture, platform, and functionality
  • Ensure compliance with software standards and program requirements
  • Support customer interactions, technical reviews, and proposal efforts
• System Simulation and Modeling
  • Formulate multi‑domain models of mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic systems
  • Identify performance metrics and system specifications from model results
  • Model correlation and validation to test data
  • Use models to develop and test controls algorithms
• System Hardware Integration
  • Support design, selection, and integration of electronic components
  • Communicate mechanical requirements of system to design staff
  • Identify controller hardware to meet I/O and computational requirements
  • Troubleshoot and resolve system and electrical issues

• BS or MS in Automotive, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Mechatronic Systems
• 6+ years of engineering experience

• Embedded software in C/C++ on microcontrollers, Linux, or RTOS‑based platforms
• System modeling and simulation in MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow
• Embedded Model‑Based Development tools (Simulink/Stateflow Coder, Moto Hawk, Raptor, OpenECU, dSPACE)
• Vehicle/system level simulation (ADAMS, Dymola, Car Sim/Truck Sim, FMI/FMU)
• Classical control techniques including PID, lead–lag compensation, loop shaping, root locus design, feed forward control, and cascaded loop architectures
• Modern control techniques including state‑space modeling, LQR/LQG, Kalman Filtering, Model Predictive Control (MPC), robust control and MIMO system design
• Expertise in specific areas:
  • Weapon Systems
  • Combat Vehicle Engineering
  • Fire Control Systems
  • Turrets and Ammo Handling Systems
• Knowledge of MIL Standards for software, electronics, communications, cyber and functional safety (MIL‑STD‑498, MIL‑STD‑461, MIL‑STD‑882E, DO‑178C, DO‑254)
• Experience delivering defense software CDRLs
• Networking protocols and standards (Ethernet, TCP/IP, UDP, EtherCAT, DDS, TSN)
• Automotive protocols (CAN, LIN, J1939, XCP/CCP) and Tools (Vector, Kvaser, INCA)
• Actuator controls (motors, valves) and by‑wire design
• Electric and Hybrid vehicle architecture
• Vehicle and system troubleshooting experience
• Electrical/Mechanical/Hydraulic/Pneumatic system design and simulation
• Data acquisition hardware and software experience
• Must meet the requirements for obtaining US Government clearance

• Position requires light physical activity

• Daytime schedule Monday‑Friday with infrequent night/weekend work for project surge support and additional effort as needed to achieve deadlines
• Some travel as required or on‑site customer work

$ - $

The above pay range reflects the minimum and maximum target pay for the position across all U.S. locations. Within…