Spring 2027: Control Systems & Algorithms Co-op (January to June)

Location: Needham, MA, United States Department: 10400 - Engineering EE

About Us

SharkNinja is a global product design and technology company, with a diversified portfolio of 5-star rated lifestyle solutions that positively impact people’s lives in homes around the world. Powered by two trusted, global brands, Shark and Ninja, the company has a proven track record of bringing disruptive innovation to market and developing one consumer product after another has allowed SharkNinja to enter multiple product categories, driving significant growth and market share gains. Headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts with more than 4,100 associates, the company’s products are sold at key retailers, online and offline, and through distributors around the world.

AI at SharkNinja

At SharkNinja, we’re building an AI-native culture. We’re not waiting for the future; we’re creating it. Our people are expected to experiment boldly, adopt new tools, and continuously raise what’s possible to create meaningful impact for our consumers. If you believe the best way to do your job hasn’t been invented yet, you’ll fit right in.

Work Period: January 2027 to June 2027

Location & Schedule: This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position with 5 days per week onsite in Needham, MA. There is no relocation or housing assistance for this position.

Join the SharkNinja Early Edge Experience: Built for early career talent. Geared toward impact. Driven by speed. Whether you're in a co-op or internship, our early talent program is designed to provide valuable exposure to the industry and a fast-paced professional environment. You'll dive into meaningful projects and tasks that sharpen your skills and deepen your knowledge. Along the way, you'll benefit from professional development opportunities, community events, and connections that make your experience well-rounded and enriching. Your time with us will culminate in an opportunity to showcase your contributions and learnings to SharkNinja leaders because this is a program for those ready to shape what's next — fast.

This role: We are seeking a highly motivated Control Systems & Algorithms Co-op to join our team. We focus on developing real-time optimization and control algorithms for low-compute hardware that drive the next generation of smart household appliances. This role offers a hands-on opportunity to design, prototype, and validate control solutions that make appliances smarter, more efficient, and more reliable.

This co-op opportunity will provide valuable experience in the field of control systems engineering and mechatronics with a focus on programming skills, optimization, and algorithms development. If you are passionate and want to work on challenging projects, we encourage you to apply.

Here are some of the EXCITING things you’ll get to do

Design and implement real-time control algorithms for appliance subsystems (thermal, fluidic, and electromechanical)

Work directly with pumps, heaters, boilers, AC/DC, and stepper motors, and their drivers

Interface with low-cost sensors (temperature, flow, pressure, torque, etc.) and implement signal processing, filtering, and estimation techniques (e.g., Kalman filters)

Apply classical control methods (frequency response analysis, PID design, and tuning) to achieve stability and robustness in systems with significant delays and nonlinearities

Rapidly build and iterate prototypes and test rigs to validate algorithms in real hardware environments

Collect and analyze experimental data to identify system dynamics and optimize performance

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop system design, software architecture, and bring control algorithms from concept to embedded deployment

ATTRIBUTES & SKILLS

Education: Must be currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program (third year or beyond), master’s, or doctorate program

Must be able to work a full-time, 40-hour-per-week schedule with 5 days per week onsite in Needham, MA

Strong understanding of control system theory (frequency response, stability margins, PID design and tuning) and design, including classical control and advanced control

Proficiency in embedded C/C++ programming and experience with microcontrollers (e.g., STM32, ESP32, Arduino, or similar)

Familiarity with real-time signal processing and sensor fusion techniques

Comfort working hands-on with hardware systems (sensors, actuators, thermal and electromechanical components)

Strong problem-solving ability and willingness to prototype quickly and iterate

A natural and effective communicator capable of reducing abstract concepts to reality

Able to quickly generate visual and physical definitions of new products that convey key attributes of function

Naturally curious and relentlessly driven to find better solutions to everyday problems

Preferred/Bonus Qualifications

Experience with MATLAB/Simulink for system modeling, state-space control, and model-based design (including Simulink Coder/code generation)

Background in system identification, including real-time or machine-learning-based modeling

Knowledge of nonlinear optimization algorithms suitable for low-compute, embedded environments

Familiarity with TinyML, CMSIS libraries, or other embedded ML frameworks

Experience with embedded system architecture and designing control software frameworks

Embodies SharkNinja’s Success Drivers

Rarely Satisfied – Adopt a “no delays” mentality in delivering against market needs/timing

Progress over Perfection – Make quick, daily progress and continuously adapt to achieve results rather than requiring perfect planning

Details Make the Difference – Can coordinate timelines & deliverables to ensure accuracy and consistency across all consumer-facing materials

Winning is a Team Sport – Ability to develop strong cross-functional relationships

Communicate for Impact – Strong communication skills; ability to deliver effective presentations to all levels of management

Please note that, due to