Space Kinetic Corp.

Senior Real-Time/Controls Software Engineer

El Segundo, California · Senior

Sponsorship not specified$170k-$240kDetected 15 hours ago

PythonC++MATLABAlgorithmsLinuxFPGAEmbedded SystemsSystems EngineeringRoboticsMechanical DesignAerospace EngineeringElectrical EngineeringHardware DesignSignal ProcessingSensorsControlsSimulinkCommunicationCollaborationActuators

About the role

This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week.
If you're driven to succeed in this role, even if your background doesn't fully align with every qualification, we want your application.
Where You'll Be: - The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA.

Responsibilities

Develop deterministic real-time control software for electromechanical aerospace systems
Own motor-control implementation, release timing logic, and safety interlock architecture
Support development and integration of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) related algorithms
Design and execute hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and integration activities
Support integration, debugging, and validation of control systems on prototype hardware
Develop software interfaces for sensors, actuators, motor controllers, and embedded hardware systems
Support system-level testing, troubleshooting, and rapid iteration during development campaigns
Participate in technical reviews, architecture discussions, and safety-critical design decisions

Requirements

5+ years of experience in embedded software, controls software, or real-time systems development
Strong understanding of real-time software architecture and deterministic system behavior
Experience with motor controls, actuator systems, or embedded control loops
Experience working with MATLAB/Simulink and translating models into deployable software
Strong programming experience in C/C++ and Python
Experience with HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) simulation and testing

Nice to have

Startup or rapid-prototyping experience preferred

Compensation

$170,000 - $240,000 USD
The annual base salary for this role is below.

Benefits

Equity-Based Compensation
Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar
Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure
Compensation will be commensurate with experience, education, and demonstrated technical depth.

Company info

Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations - one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attritable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different - an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures - where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a 'one-to-many' system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.
This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space
We are seeking a Senior Real-Time / Controls Software Engineer to lead development of deterministic real-time control software supporting high-speed electromechanical aerospace systems. This role will own motor-control implementation, release timing logic, safety interlocks, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) integration for critical system functions. The ideal candidate understands both controls theory and low-level real-time software implementation and can translate GNC, MATLAB/Simulink, and Python-based models into reliable embedded flight-like control software operating in a fast-paced hardware development environment.
Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations - one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attritable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel.
In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different - an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on.
Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures - where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a 'one-to-many' system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.
Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space
We are seeking a Senior Real-Time / Controls Software Engineer to lead development of deterministic real-time control software supporting high-speed electromechanical aerospace systems.
This role will own motor-control implementation, release timing logic, safety interlocks, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) integration for critical system functions.
The ideal candidate understands both controls theory and low-level real-time software implementation and can translate GNC, MATLAB/Simulink, and Python-based models into reliable embedded flight-like control software operating in a fast-paced hardware development environment.

Equal opportunity

Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
The annual base salary for this role is below.
Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.
Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.

Visa & Work Authorization

citizen or national, (ii) U

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