Senior Control System Engineer

Voyant Photonics, based in the heart of New York City, is transforming machine perception with a new class of LiDAR devices that are compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand and powerful enough to measure range, velocity, and reflectivity with unparalleled accuracy. By leveraging cutting-edge silicon photonic chips smaller than your fingertip, we deliver sensors that are not only revolutionary in performance but also affordable enough to integrate into any system.

Our technology disrupts the status quo of bulky, expensive, and power-hungry LiDAR systems, making high-precision sensing accessible for widespread adoption in robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, industrial automation, and beyond. With Voyant, the next generation of machines can see, understand, and navigate the world like never before.

Discover how we’re redefining what’s possible by making real products out of cutting edge research in silicon photonics.

 Position Overview

As a Senior Control Systems Engineer at Voyant, you will be at the forefront of shaping the future of LiDAR technology. Working within the System Team—a close-knit group of engineers—you will collaborate closely with the Electronics, Photonics, Software, and Test teams to drive key technology decisions and develop cutting-edge control solutions.

In this role, you will design control system architectures to address complex system integration challenges, develop advanced control algorithms, and work alongside the electronics team to create prototype systems that demonstrate functionality. You will take full ownership of designing and implementing control systems while actively contributing to system integration testing and troubleshooting.

Beyond technical execution, you will contribute to developing new control strategies and mixed-signal designs, helping to drive innovation and ensure successful product launches. Your expertise will be essential in turning early-stage concepts into reliable, real-world LiDAR solutions while also supporting customer and production needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement active feedback control systems (e.g., PI, PD, PID, PLL) for laser scanning, phase locking, and photonic integrated circuit (PIC) controls.
• Develop mixed-signal circuit designs that interface with integrated control systems and collaborate with hardware engineers to bring these designs to life.
• Work closely with engineering teams throughout all stages of control system development, from concept and prototyping to production.
• Evaluate design feasibility through analytical modeling and system simulations.
• Contribute to system integration testing as part of the System Team.
• Participate in new product development, including defining system specifications and architecture.
• Support operations by troubleshooting issues during system bring-up.
• Diagnose field failures, recommend corrective actions, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.
• Evaluate and debug customer returns, identifying opportunities for design enhancements.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in control systems development, focusing on feedback control methodologies (PID, PLL), control algorithms, system modeling, and mixed-signal circuit design.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience with electrical board bring-up, testing, and debugging using benchtop test equipment (oscilloscopes, function generators, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers).
• Proficiency in programming embedded processors using C++.
• Strong understanding of FPGA design using MATLAB Simulink and Verilog or VHDL coding.
• Ability to collaborate with hardware engineers to implement, bring up, and test mixed-signal circuits.
• Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills to diagnose complex system issues and propose effective solutions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts and results in reports and presentations.
• Highly self-driven, able to manage multiple tasks, maintain attention to detail, and meet deadlines.
• Experience or familiarity with fiber optics, photonics, or LiDAR systems is highly desirable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in FPGA design using MATLAB Simulink and Verilog or VHDL.
• Experience working in a fast-paced startup environment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary and meaningful equity package
• Comprehensive health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Unlimited PTO and paid company holidays
• Flexible work environment (Hybrid or remote with travel)
• Team events and company meetups