Lead Vehicle Controls and Interface Engineer

The Lead Vehicle Controls and Interface Engineer owns the development and abstraction of May Mobility’s vehicle controls interface, enabling the Autonomous Driving Kit (ADK) to be portable across the widest possible variety of vehicle platforms. This role designs and develops the algorithms used to communicate with and control core vehicle functions — body controls, brake, steer, and throttle — while advancing the fidelity of those controls to improve rider comfort. Beyond enabling basic functionality, this role ensures that vehicle dynamics remain a first-class part of active developmen. Success in this role requires expertise in simulation, energy management, and embedded programming, along with the technical leadership to set direction for vehicle controls across current and future platforms.

• →Develop and maintain a platform-agnostic controls abstraction layer, defining the interfaces that allow the ADK to integrate efficiently with new vehicle platforms
• →Develop and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) to ensure seamless communication between base vehicle components and autonomy, powertrain, and telematics software
• →Spearhead the development of control algorithms for body controls, brake, steer, and throttle, prioritizing rider comfort and ride quality
• →Apply deep domain expertise in automotive network topologies (CAN-FD, automotive Ethernet, FlexRay), embedded software (C/C++), and functional safety standards across controls and interface design
• →Define Design Verification Plans (DVP&R); validate control algorithms in simulation and through hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing; and lead hands-on debugging of physical prototypes
• →Integrate energy management considerations into control strategies and interface design
• →Establish vehicle dynamics targets and verify performance against them throughout development
• →Leverage a system level understanding of our products and technologies to support cross-functional engineering efforts
• →Collaborate with systems engineering, system architects, and OEM platform partners to align controls interfaces across programs
• →Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers 
• →Performing FMEA analysis, tracking findings to resolution

Success in this role typically requires the following competencies:

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Ability to multitask and adapt to shifting priorities in a fast-paced work environment
• Understanding of agile startup and engineering principles and mindset
• Deep expertise in control systems and control theory, with application to vehicle dynamics
• Proficiency in embedded software development for real-time control systems
• Proficiency with simulation and model-based design tools for control development and validation
• Experience designing abstraction layers or portable interfaces across hardware platforms
• Working knowledge of vehicle networking and E/E architecture, such as CAN and automotive Ethernet
• Curiosity to learn and desire to improve
• Passionate about self-driving cars and their impact on the world
• Strong working knowledge of ADAS/Autonomous Vehicle systems

Candidates most successful in this role typically hold the following qualifications or comparable knowledge or experience:

• Standard office working conditions which includes but is not limited to:
• Prolonged sitting
• Prolonged standing
• Prolonged computer use
• May require periodic work in a vehicle, laboratory, or test environment
• Travel required? - Minimal to Moderate: 5%-15%

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Controls, Robotics, or a related field from an accredited university
• 8+ years experience in vehicle controls, embedded controls, or related automotive engineering working on combined hardware/software products
• Experience developing and deploying control algorithms for vehicle functions, such as brake, steer, and throttle
• Proficiency in embedded programming, such as C/C++, for real-time systems

• A Master’s or PhD in Controls, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or equivalent experience
• Experience abstracting vehicle controls across multiple platforms or supporting OEM platform programs
• Knowledge of autonomous vehicle technologies, such as LIDAR, radar, ethernet, and CAN
• Experience in Autonomous Vehicles, Machine Learning, and Robotics
• Experience working in a startup