Controls Engineer

Boston-based company Piaggio Fast Forward Inc. (PFF) was founded in 2015 by the Piaggio Group (the Italian manufacturer that created the iconic Vespa scooter). We are on a mission to build technology products that move the way that people move. In order to bring products to market today, PFF is solving the problem of robotic interaction with people in dynamically changing environments. We’re innovators, neighbors and creators with a passion for local living and pushing the limits on urban transportation. We support a sustainable mobility ecology with healthy lifestyles and social connectivity available to all, regardless of age or abilities.

PFF is hiring a passionate and experienced Controls Engineer to join our engineering team. In this role you will bring your expertise in robot motion control to help gita® move and operate collaboratively with people. The Senior Controls Engineer will be a key contributor in the development and improvement of gita® as well as future mobility products. Experience developing motion control algorithms in hardware with an embedded software platform in prior robotic products is necessary for success in this role at PFF.

Requirements:

• Experiences with Embedded Systems, FPGA design and verification tools (Xilinx and ModelSim preferred)
• Expertise designing and implementing complex motors control in HDL at the module and system levels.
• Expertise in communication systems including architecture and protocol implementation, switching fabrics, and layered communications design is highly desired.
• Expertise using oscilloscopes, function generators, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, etc. to verify and debug designs.
• Broad range of electronic technologies including microcontroller, fpga, memory, signal conditioning, and common communication interfaces (SPI, I2C, etc.).
• Integration of common robotic system components such as encoders, motors, and inertial measurement units.
• Proficiency with Python, C/C++, VHDL, Matlab.
• Strong Experience with Linux and Embedded Linux.
• BS/MS or greater in Computer Science or Engineering or a related subject is preferred.
• Prior experience designing for high volume products is preferred.
• Successful applicants will be asked to show proof that they can legally work in the U.S.

Responsibilities:

• Work on a cross-functional team to design, implement and verify FPGA RTL and embedded software using Verilog or System Verilog HDL and Linux.
• Create FPGA RTL interfaces to common robotic system component such as motor driver, encoders.
• Develop motor control logic.
• Bring-up, troubleshoot and integrate to custom PCAs.
• Develop and validate an embedded software platform based on Linux (assembly, C, C++) to interface with FPGA modules.
• Implement high-speed serial communications interfaces and inter-processor communication subsystems.
• Perform formal risk analysis and develop software mitigations.
• Follow rigorous design control methodology from design specification through design transfer to manufacturing
• Support the Electrical, Test, Software engineering teams as needed with circuit design, bring-up and debug.
• Work on software documentation and sustainment.
• Continuously research, discover, evaluate, and implement new technologies
• Support fabrication, integration and testing. This will involve integration of new hardware and software iterations in an aggressive prototyping schedule, and unit testing to ensure the subsystems meet the requirements and specifications.
• Develop, test and release state of the arts depth tracking algorithm.

Commitment to Diversity

We strive to create a workforce that embraces every culture, language, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, background and experience. PFF has multiple DEI programs in place for our employees; including a mentorship program, regular pay equity audits, DEI training, and a standardized interviewing framework that is focused on "culture add." These programs support an equitable and inclusive workplace, that promote the growth, retention, and recruiting of women and BIPOC in the workplace.

Note: Even if you don’t meet all of the requirements listed we encourage you to apply. Think of it more as looking for some of the items listed, not all.

Where legally permissible, must be willing to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status on first day of employment.