Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for generating voltage commands used to control operation of a permanent magnet machine. For example, a control system is provided that generates voltage command signals for controlling a permanent magnet machine during a transition from an initial operating condition to a final operating condition. The control system includes a processor configured to execute software instructions, and a memory configured to store software instructions accessible by the processor. The software instructions comprise a voltage command generator module. Based on an electrical angular frequency of the permanent magnet machine, and synchronous reference frame current signals, the voltage command generator module is configured to generate ramped voltage command signals that each change linearly in accordance with a slope during a transition period that is set to a rise time.