Control Engineer (d/f/m)

Business Unit: Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA Location: Contract Type: regular Scope of employment: full-time Contact Person: Lea Urbanczyk Contact Information: [email protected] Job ID: 8526 Summary Statement The Global Research department at Ottobock is seeking a Control Engineer (d/f/m) with hands-on experience in prosthetics and orthotics to join its research group. The role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of control engineering, human movement science, and clinical impact within one of the world's leading organisations in prosthetics and orthotics. The department is committed to developing technologies that measurably improve mobility and quality of life for people who rely on powered prosthetic and orthotic devices. The group focuses on next-generation sensing and control strategies for lower- and upper-limb wearable robots, working across the full pipeline from biomechanical characterisation to embedded control implementation and experimental validation. The position is located in our headquarter in Duderstadt near Göttingen. Duties & Responsibilities Develop, implement, and validate control strategies for powered lower- and upper-limb prosthetic and orthotic devices, including impedance control, admittance control, finite-state machine architectures, and model predictive approaches Translate biomechanical models of human joint function, including torque–angle–velocity envelopes, inter-joint coupling, and gait phase dynamics, into control requirements and implementable controller structures Integrate AI/ML components into control pipelines: apply classification networks for activity and terrain recognition, recurrent models for gait phase prediction, and data-driven approaches for parameter adaptation Develop and apply state estimation methods, including Kalman filter variants and sensor fusion algorithms, to estimate joint states, user intent, and environmental context from on-device sensor data (IMU, force/torque, EMG, encoders) Design and execute experimental validation protocols on physical hardware, including benchtop testing and human subject studies in collaboration with clinical and biomechanics partners Collaborate with – amongst others - biomechanists and clinical partners to define functionally meaningful control objectives, distinguishing between normalisation of gait patterns and user-specific optimisation targets Evaluate sensory feedback modalities (force, vibrotactile, proprioceptive substitution) and assess their role in closing the human–device control loop Document control architectures, experimental results, and validation outcomes in technical reports Conduct structured literature reviews and competitive benchmarking to maintain awareness of the state of the art in prosthetic and orthotic control, wearable robotics, and human locomotion science Present findings to internal stakeholders, research partners, and where relevant to clinical audiences Engage with regulatory and product development teams to ensure control designs are compatible with applicable safety standards (EU MDR, IEC 60601-1, ISO 13482) Qualifications MSc or PhD in Control Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a closely related field Minimum 2 and up to 5 years of verifiable experience in prosthetics, orthotics, exoskeletons, other wearable robotics, or rehabilitation robotics Demonstrated track record, through industry deliverables, device outputs, or publications of developing control strategies directly and verifiably informed by human biomechanical analysis Solid understanding of human musculoskeletal mechanics: joint kinematics and kinetics across lower and upper limb, muscle–tendon dynamics, and inter-segmental force and torque relationships Demonstrated experience designing and implementing real-time control systems for physical mechatronic devices with strict timing, safety, and robustness requirements Working proficiency in classical control methods as applied to wearable or rehabilitation robots: finite-state impedance/admittance control, PID-based architectures, and torque/position control in actuated joints Practical experience with state estimation for nonlinear systems  (Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF), or equivalent Bayesian estimator) applied to real sensor data from physical hardware Experience applying AI/ML methods in a control or estimation context: activity or terrain classification using IMU or force data, gait phase prediction, or parameter adaptation via data-driven models Proficiency with Python-based libraries for Control and ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn, or equivalent) Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to structure complex biomechanical and control problems into testable hypotheses and measurable design criteria Collaborative by default; comfortable working in an interdisciplinary team where decisions require integration of engineering, clinical, and regulatory perspectives Clear and precise communicator in English, both in writing and verbally – German is a plus Self-directed and organised; able to manage parallel workstreams and deliver experimental results within agreed timelines Benefits Competitive compensation package 30 days of vacation Flexibility: Flexible work hours and the opportunity for remote work Retirement benefits: Company pension plan, capital-forming benefits Health and well-being: EGYM Wellpass, company sports (e.g., yoga, volleyball, tennis), external counseling for personal and professional matters Mobility: Carpooling platform, access to the company vehicle pool for business trips, bicycle leasing (JobRad & Bikeleasing) Discounts & perks: Corporate benefits and offers from local partners Onboarding & professional development: Personalized onboarding during the Ottobock Welcome Days & training opportunities at the Ottobock Academy Diversity at Ottobock We believe in mutual respect, enjoyment at work, and a culture where everyone feels valued. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and welcome all applications - regardless of gender, age, nationality, disability, ethnic or social background, religion, or sexual orientation. We give special consideration to individuals with severe disabilities when equally qualified. Your future at Ottobock Ottobock’s products and services combine over 100 years of tradition with outstanding innovation in the fields of prosthetics, neuro-orthotics, and exoskeletons. Ottobock develops innovative fitting solutions for people with limited mobility and is driving the digitalisation of the industry. Founded in Berlin in 1919, the company has business activities in 45 countries with nearly 9,300 employees worldwide and operates the largest international patient care network with around 400 patient care clinics. Ottobock’s mission of improving freedom of movement, quality of life and independence is deeply rooted in the company's DNA, as is its social commitment: Ottobock has been a partner and supporter of the Paralympics since 1988. Apply now! Your ideas and commitment will inspire your colleagues and staff, and will further the interests of Ottobock. Be part of a dynamic, growing company with flat hierarchies. We offer a richly diverse field of work, individual development opportunities and extensive qualification programs in our Ottobock Academy. Please only apply via our online job portal at jobs.ottobock.com. Please quote the Job-ID for the position in question, and also state your earliest starting date and salary requirements. We look forward to receiving your application!