Jobs › Oshkosh Corporation

Senior Controls Engineer

Oshkosh Corporation · Appleton, WI · $79,300–$126,900 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 19, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a controls issue you found during vehicle testing that simulation didn't catch.

What they are checking: Whether they can bridge simulation and real hardware when debugging.

How do you work with electrical, mechanical and software teams when a problem crosses all three?

What they are checking: Whether they collaborate across disciplines instead of defending only their part.

As a senior engineer, how do you help newer engineers grow?

What they are checking: Whether they mentor and review others' work, which is expected at the senior level.

What would you do

A supplier's control module doesn't behave the way their documentation says. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they gather evidence and work with the supplier to resolve it without stalling the program.

About the work

Walk me through a control strategy you developed for an engine, hybrid or electric vehicle system.

What they are checking: Whether they have real controls development experience in the powertrain areas the posting lists.

How do you write sub-system requirements for a controls feature so they can be verified?

What they are checking: Whether they write clear, testable requirements that connect to verification later.

What modeling and code generation tools have you used, like Simulink, and how do you verify the generated code?

What they are checking: Whether they use model-based development with proper verification instead of trusting tools blindly.

How would you approach controls for an aerial ladder or other material handling system on a fire truck?

What they are checking: Whether they think about stability, interlocks and smooth motion on equipment that lifts people.

How do you design fault detection and safe states for an energy storage system?

What they are checking: Whether they understand battery safety, monitoring and how to respond when something goes wrong.

Pierce builds highly customized trucks. How do you design controls software to handle many configurations?

What they are checking: Whether they use calibration and configuration management to support variety without many code branches.

How do you test a controls change to make sure it didn't break something else?

What they are checking: Whether they use regression testing and HIL to protect existing functions.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Oshkosh Corporation.

About Pierce, an Oshkosh company At Pierce Manufacturing, we build trucks that protect people and communities around the world. To our team, there is no room for anything less than providing the absolute best. Since 1913, building truck bodies on Model T Ford chassis in an old converted church has evolved to creating highly customized, carefully designed and engineering pumpers, aerials, tankers and rescue units that have no equal. Today, you'll find more than 30,000 Pierce apparatuses on the road that are making a difference in people's lives, every day. To us, every step in the process of building our trucks is personal. From innovation and expertise, to the customization and service. Our trucks are designed to perform under the toughest conditions. The Sr Engineer – Controls works within engineering groups to support the development and implementation of the control strategy and sub-system requirements for advanced vehicle control systems. Controls work encompasses control strategy development and verification for engine, hybrid, and electric vehicles, for components (electronic control modules, motors, drives, engines, generators, energy storage cells, sensors, etc.), and for autonomous vehicle systems, suspensions systems, material handling systems, and other auxiliary systems for on-road and off-road applications. YOUR IMPACT: • Under supervision, perform basic engineering calculations, investigations, and tasks. • Deliver results according to Oshkosh and general industry engineering standards and processes. • Support more senior engineers in the preparation of plans, designs, computation methods, and/or reporting. • Responsible for smaller projects or sub-systems of limited complexity. • May be responsible for supporting multiple projects. • Work in collaboration with software engineering, and other internal engineering groups or business support disciplines as well as external component suppliers. • Provide guidance or mentorship to entry level engineers, designers, or technicians working on common projects. • Responsible for vehicle sub-system controls research, development, verification and validation, testing and production implementation. • Support developing requirements (resources, equipment, estimates, test plans, and milestones) according to the needs of a project. • Support developing control strategies in a virtual simulation environment using modeling tools (such as ADAMS, Matlab/Simulink/State flow, AMEsim, etc.) or hardware-in-the-loop simulators and transferring simulated strategies to vehicle testing and eventual production implementation. • Work with internal and external (industry consortiums, universities...) project teams on advanced control development efforts and on component development efforts. • Other duties as assigned. • Regular attendance is required. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • Accredited Bachelor's degree in mechnical/electrical Engineering or related field with three (3) or more years of related experience. STANDOUT QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical Engineering and three (3) or more years of related experience or Master’s degree in mechanical or electrical Engineering and one (1) or more years of related experience • Strong foundation in control systems, sensors, actuators, and system integration. • Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink/Stateflow and PLC programming (Allen-Bradley Studio 5000/RSLogix 5000, Siemens TIA Portal, FactoryTalk, Connected Components Workbench). • Hands-on experience with industrial automation, robotics, AGVs/AMRs, and control system development and optimization. • Experience designing, wiring, and maintaining industrial control panels in compliance with NEC and national electrical codes. • Expertise troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, and industrial networks. • Knowledge of embedded and automation-related programming (C, C#, Python). • Experience with automotive or heavy-duty vehicle systems and industrial communication protocols, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, CAN, Modbus, OPC UA, MQTT, and Ethernet. • Familiarity with IIoT and Industry 4.0 technologies, including Ignition MES (Perspective, Vision, and Edge). • Proven ability to lead projects and support installation, commissioning, and maintenance of automation systems. #LI-BB1 Pay Range: $79,300.00 - $126,900.00 The above pay range reflects the minimum and maximum target pay for the position across all U.S. locations. Within this range, individual pay is determined by various factors, including the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education and skills, as well as the equity of pay among team members in similar positions. Beyond offering a competitive total rewards package, we prioritize a people-first culture and offer various opportunities to support team member growth and success. Oshkosh is committed to working with and offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to disability for any part of the employment process, please contact us at corporatetalentacquisition@oshkoshcorp.com. Oshkosh Corporation is a merit-based Equal Opportunity Employer. Job opportunities are open for application to all qualified individuals and selection decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristic. To the extent that information is provided or collected regarding categories as provided by law it will in no way affect the decision regarding an employment application. Oshkosh Corporation will not discharge or in any manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Oshkosh Corporation's legal duty to furnish information. Certain positions with Oshkosh Corporation require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the Export Administration Regulations. Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. Persons," as defined in these regulations. Generally, a "U.S. Person" is a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or an individual who has been admitted as a refugee or granted asylum.

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