Servo Motion Controls Engineer

Job Description

Ready for What's Next? At Kratos, we encourage an entrepreneurial spirit balanced with discipline. We work hard, and take care of our customers, employees, and families. Recognized as thought leaders in our industry, we are motivated by creating and delivering innovative solutions to our nation and global customers.

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

#LI-Hybrid

Competitive salary based on experience and education

Kratos is valued for our ability to design and deliver leading edge, resilient solutions for aerospace communication, control, awareness and mission success across a continuum of offerings-from commercial to tailored custom solutions and integrated programs. Customers trust us to stay relevant and know we are in it for the long-haul. We bring both the capability and confidence that our customers value and depend on. And, we always deliver.

This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement