Motor Controls Engineer II - R&D

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the Black Fly, the first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.

Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal vehicles are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been in development, preparing to enter the market for over 10 years. We recently announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, planned for general release and scalable production in 2025.

Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of technology investment today. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. We invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.

• 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.

• 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

• 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

• Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.
• Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as…