Job Description:
14000 Technology Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55344, USA
Full-time
Smart people.
Smart ideas.
Smart choice.
A thriving environment for learning, innovation and growth.
Why do so many people join MTS Systems Corporation and stay for a career? Because this is a place where you get to apply your creativity, work with smart people on fascinating projects, and make a positive impact on people’s lives. It is a place where you can learn, innovate and grow professionally.
Transforming what’s possible with cars, aircraft, bridges, wind turbines and space-age materials — this is work we dream about as kids. At MTS, it’s a rewarding career path for talented individuals who are willing to work hard, think hard, and commit to solving complex and critical challenges for our customers around the world, many of whom are leaders in their respective industries.
By joining MTS, you’ll have access to the latest tools and technologies, along with the support of colleagues who are passionate about their work. You’ll discover a dynamic culture of continuous improvement that extends to our people, one that offers numerous ways to expand your knowledge and advance your career. And because we are a global company, your work may also include world travel.
About the Role
We are seeking a Staff Systems Engineer with broad expertise spanning analog electrical hardware design, real-time embedded firmware, digital signal processing, and motor drive systems. This role operates at the intersection of precision instrumentation, closed-loop controls, and power electronics - including high performance inverter design to drive permanent magnet motors in motorsports applications.
This is a senior individual contributor role with broad technical ownership. You will shape architecture, lead design reviews, and drive solutions in areas where hardware and software are deeply intertwined — while mentoring the engineers around you.
Major Areas of Accountability
Signal Processing & Instrumentation:
Design and validate sensor signal conditioning chains for LVDTs, strain gauges, load cells, and piezoelectric/IEPE accelerometers
Apply DSP techniques — filtering (FIR/IIR), FFT/PSD/FRF analysis, and sampling strategies — to ensure signal integrity across the analog-digital boundary
Define ADC requirements (resolution, dynamic range, latency) from application needs; troubleshoot signal quality issues including ground loops, EMI, and cabling
Real-Time Systems & Control:
Design hard real-time firmware with deterministic scheduling, interrupt management, and multi-rate task structures
Architect and implement control algorithms (PID variants, cascade, feedforward, gain scheduling) for precision actuator/sensor systems
Develop system identification procedures, auto-tuning workflows, and simulation models (Simulink, Python) to validate algorithms before firmware deployment
Firmware & Embedded Software:
Write production-quality embedded C/C++ for real-time targets (ARM Cortex-R/M, DSP cores, Intel platforms)
Integrate peripherals (SPI, I2C, DMA, ADC/DAC) and design firmware architectures that cleanly separate real-time control, communications, and configuration layers
Develop HALs/BSPs for new hardware platforms; use standard debug tools (JTAG, trace, logic analyzers) to verify real-time performance
Industrial Communications:
Architect and implement EtherCAT-based communication for distributed I/O systems, including object dictionary design, PDO mapping, and slave stack development
Working knowledge of complementary protocols: Modbus, CANopen, CAN FD
Hardware Design & PCB Architecture:
Lead hardware architecture definition and component trade studies for new platforms
Apply mixed-signal PCB design principles: signal partitioning, grounding, power planes, thermal management, and controlled impedance
Select components with attention to lifecycle, sourcing risk, industrial temperature ratings, and obsolescence; support design reviews with awareness of CE, UL, and EU CRA requirements
Permanent Magnet Motor Inverter Design:
Design inverter hardware for motors across low-voltage (12–48V) and high-voltage (400–800V) ranges, including gate drive circuits, DC bus filtering, snubber networks, and current sensing
Select and apply power switching devices (SiC MOSFETs, IGBTs) with appropriate thermal management strategies for sustained motorsport duty cycles
Implement field-oriented control (FOC) in firmware: Clarke/Park transforms, PI current regulators, PWM generation, and rotor position decoding (encoder/resolver or sensorless)
Tune and validate drive performance across the full operating envelope; implement protection logic for overcurrent, overvoltage, thermal derating, and safe-state discharge
Ensure compliance with HV safety, insulation, and interlock requirements for motorsport applications
Systems Integration & Leadership:
Trace requirements and failure modes across the full analog → digital → firmware → software stack; lead cross-discipline design reviews that span hardware/software boundaries
Decompose and allocate requirements across HW/FW/SW teams; develop system-level integration test plans and acceptance criteria
Author architecture trade studies and technical position documents for leadership
Mentor junior engineers and elevate team capability across the embedded systems discipline
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field
7+ years of hands-on experience spanning embedded firmware, analog hardware design, and real-time control systems
Demonstrated experience with EtherCAT or a comparable industrial fieldbus in a production environment
Experience designing or integrating motor drive systems for PMSM/BLDC motors; motorsports background a plus
Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and Python for simulation and algorithm development
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to author clear technical documentation
Skills and Competencies
Simulation: MATLAB/Simulink, Python
EDA: Altium, OrCAD, or equivalent schematic capture and layout tools
Embedded: target IDE, JTAG, compiler toolchains
Version control and documentation: Git/Azure DevOps
Physical Demands (US only)
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Compensation Information:
$120,000 - $180,000 Annual Salary, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.
As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.