Senior Controls & Software Integration Engineer

Senior Controls & Software Integration Engineer
About the Company

Our client builds high-performance electric vessels on a shared, patented platform spanning two lines: a premium all-electric sports boat and a family of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) for defense and government customers.

You will own vessel control software end-to-end, from the VCU application to the helm screen, across both consumer and defense platforms, working directly with the CTO. This is a hands‑on role with bench, boat, and water time included.

• Develop, calibrate, and release Vessel Control Unit and remote control application software using a Simulink model-based development and automatic code generation toolchain, with professional calibration tools.
• Integrate the electric powertrain over CAN/J1939: battery management system (BMS), traction motor and inverter, on‑board charger (OBC), DC/DC, high‑voltage power distribution system, low‑voltage PDU, thermal management, range extender genset automation, and all other propulsion system components.
• Design and implement fault handling, interlocks, derating strategies, and limp/safe states for on‑water operation.
• Build the data pipeline from VCU to helm: NMEA 2000 / J1939 PGN mapping, display integration, and software hooks exposing vessel telemetry to the UI and companion tools.
• Integrate the USV drive‑by‑wire interface with government and third‑party autonomy kits (A‑Kits), including command/telemetry bridging aligned to UMAA/MOSA principles.
• Own bench, HIL, and on‑water validation, release sign-off, and calibration documentation.
• Support customer demos, sea trials, and defense exercise events.
• Manage the work of junior engineering staff and technicians.
• Work with the harness design team and edit/contribute to vessel electrical wiring design.

• 5+ years in vehicle/vessel controls or embedded powertrain software.
• Hands‑on experience with one or more model‑based code development tool chains (Moto Hawk, Eco Coder, OpenECU, or other Simulink‑based development environments).
• MATLAB experience.
• Deep CAN fluency:
  Standard CAN messaging and J1939 required; NMEA 2000 and CANopen a plus; comfortable with Vector/Kvaser/PCAN hardware and software, CAN data logging tools, and data analysis tools such as TSMaster.
• High‑voltage system integration experience (BMS, inverters, chargers) and safe HV work practices.
• A bias for hardware: you debug at the connector with a breakout box and a scope, not just in simulation.
• BS in Electrical, Computer, or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Due to ITAR/EAR requirements on defense programs, candidates must be U.S. persons (U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents).

• Marine experience: ABYC E-30 / ISO 16315, NMEA 2000 certification, sea‑trial time.
• Alternate platform experience:
  Curtis VCL, CODESYS, or bare‑metal embedded
  
  C.
• Autonomy interface experience: UMAA, ROS 2/DDS, MAVLink, or similar.
• Functional safety exposure: ISO 26262, ISO 13849, or comparable.
• Prior startup or 0-to-1 product experience.

Base salary: $80,000-$150,000, reflecting the breadth of experience across model-based development, HV integration, and defense‑autonomy work.

Early‑stage equity consideration, details discussed at the offer stage.

Benefits package including health, dental, PTO, and other standard benefits.

Southeast Michigan preferred, or hybrid ability to be local for months on end. The role requires proximity to vessel integration and the vehicle‑controls talent ecosystem.

Ability to travel up to 50% of the time, if not more. Candidates must have the flexibility to be deployed as a field team member next to the vessel during demonstrations and testing trials for months at a time.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.