Vehicle Dynamics Controls Engineer, Vehicle Controls

What to Expect

The Tesla Vehicle Dynamics Controls team works on design and implementation of control algorithms and software that delivers the world-class vehicle dynamics attributes Tesla vehicles are known for. The control algorithms at Tesla are strongly physics oriented, so the role requires an individual that can apply first-principles analysis and advanced control techniques for the design and implementation of novel, industry-leading vehicle motion control systems (specifically, controlling brake, suspension, steering, aero, and powertrain systems). This role will also require working cross-functionally with various groups including Chassis Hardware, Vehicle Dynamics and Modeling, Firmware, Systems Integration, and Self Driving teams. Some well-known systems our team has developed and shipped include an industry-first Steer-by-Wire and Rear-Steer system on the Cybertruck, Track Mode and torque vectoring for the Plaid Model S, Tesla’s in-house stability control (VDC), multi-motor traction control, adaptive suspension damping, trailer sway control, and Self Driving actuator controls

What You’ll Do

• Develop control-oriented models of chassis systems for analysis and estimation 
• Develop torque management algorithms for the allocation of drive torque on multi-motor platforms 
• Develop traction control algorithms to optimally manage tire slip on different operating conditions of a multi-motor vehicle 
• Develop model-based deployment strategies for active aero actuators based on vehicle onboard sensors and estimates 
• Evaluate novel subsystems related to vehicle motion to inform product architecture decisions 
• Build and maintain Model-in-the-Loop (MIL) simulation environments to model vehicle dynamics, control algorithms, and state estimation 
• Develop and implement control algorithms to maximize vehicle stability and performance, and advance the state-of-the-art in vehicle motion control technology deployed in Tesla vehicles 
• Develop and implement estimation and monitoring algorithms to maximize system safety and reliability 
• Ensure stability and performance of the algorithms using software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) tools, in the vehicle at proving grounds and in the customer fleet 
• Assist in testing, data analysis, troubleshooting, and optimization of control systems to improve vehicle performance.

What You’ll Bring

• Excellent background in first principles linear systems analysis, state-estimation, and control design 
• Excellent fundamental understanding of vehicle dynamics, specifically low and medium fidelity models to be used within a control algorithm 
• Demonstrated ability to ground-up design, analyze, implement, test, and debug control systems in real-world applications 
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally, work hands-on, and execute on open-ended projects in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment 
• Basic understanding of the physics of electric drivetrains, and chassis actuators like brakes, steering, suspensions, etc. 
• Good proficiency with engineering development tools like Matlab/Simulink/Python 
• Basic proficiency with software development in C/C++ 
• Real world experience with vehicle dynamics performance characteristics, ideally with direct experience in developing, testing and tuning traction and torque vectoring controls 
• Expertise in advanced control and estimation techniques, and optimal control, and control synthesis and deployment on embedded systems 
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent in experience and evidence of exceptional ability.