Servo Motion Controls Engineer

Kratos Antenna Solutions is currently seeking an experienced Servo Motion Control Engineer to research, develop, plan and design electro-mechanical motion control systems for transportable/fixed earth station antennas. The engineer will have responsibility for the design, development, integration, and test of cutting-edge antenna pedestal drive systems used in satellite communication terminals utilized in ground transportable and fixed applications. The engineer is responsible for full-scope Design, Verification & Validation (IV&V) solutions for antenna products, including architecture trades, design, development, integration, deployment, and sustainment of antenna drive systems and associated integrated system verification solutions. The engineer will implement best practice standards regarding the planning, coordination, and implementation of antenna drive design and servo systems modeling with sound engineering process discipline and guidance. The effective candidate will have a good mechanical foundation and experience in dynamic real-time servo system design with specific knowledge in antenna pedestal or robotic control and system tuning.

The position is located in the Plano, TX office with a hybrid work schedule and reports to the Principal Engineer.

Experience and Skills

Analyze, design, develop, support and troubleshoot control algorithms for Earth station satellite antenna servo systems

Will be responsible for analog, digital, S-domain and Z-domain controller design with appropriate analysis, modeling and simulation.

Responsibilities also include electrical, mechanical and software test and/or test support in the lab and in the field to verify system performance and troubleshoot problems. This includes test fixture design, assembly, test set-up and test data collection.

Responsibilities include characterization of servo motors, gearboxes, gear trains, and mechanical structures used for positioning satellite antennas.

Responsibilities also include requirements definition for individual servo components (electric motors - power, velocity, torque; gear trains - reduction ratios, backlash, friction, starting torque; feedback devices - resolution, accuracy, repeatability, etc).

Work with vendors to select off-the-shelf components or customized components to meet design criteria.

Responsible for keeping accurate engineering development records (test reports, analysis studies, schematics, block diagrams, theory of operations, white papers, etc).

Responsible for all documentation necessary to support production (test procedures, test records, bill of materials, interface control drawings, source control drawings, change requests, change notices, etc).

Responsible for generating documentation as necessary for customer support (conceptual presentations, PDR/CDR presentations, field instructions, troubleshooting procedures, field service bulletins).

Preferred Skills and Experience

Associates/Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/electrical/mechatronics engineering or related field and 3-5 years engineering design work and precision motion control.

Extensive experience with all types of positioning feedback devices - digital encoders, analog resolvers, tachometers, gyros, accelerometers, limit switches, etc.

Extensive experience with brushless DC servomotors, servo amplifiers, AC induction motors, variable frequency drives, stepper motors, brushed DC motors, etc.

Extensive experience in closed loop control analysis and design including S-domain and Z-domain controllers.

Familiar with closed loop control analysis and design using P.I.D. controllers

Familiar with open loop control analysis and design

Use of MATLAB preferred

SATCOM experience is highly preferable

Must have analytical and practical knowledge of electro-magnetic and mechanical devices.

Must have hands on hardware experience.

Background in analysis, design and product development.

Excellent written and verbal experience is must