Vehicle Dynamics Controls Engineer, Vehicle Controls
Description
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
Responsibilities
- 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.
Requirements
- 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.