What You’ll Do:

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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop deterministic real-time control software for electromechanical aerospace systems  
• Own motor-control implementation, release timing logic, and safety interlock architecture  
• Translate MATLAB/Simulink and Python-based control models into production-quality real-time software  
• Support development and integration of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) related algorithms  
• Design and execute hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and integration activities  
• Work closely with GNC, electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering teams during development and test  
• 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  

What It Takes:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or related field OR Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field 
• 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 supporting integration and testing of hardware/software systems  

What We’d Love:

• Aerospace, defense, robotics, or autonomous systems background  
• Experience with HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) simulation and testing  
• Familiarity with GNC algorithms and controls development workflows  
• Experience supporting high-speed dynamic systems or safety-critical systems  
• Familiarity with embedded Linux, RTOS, FPGA interfaces, or low-level hardware communication protocols  
• Startup or rapid-prototyping experience preferred
• Real-time embedded systems  
• Control loop implementation  
• Motor controllers and actuator interfaces  
• Sensor integration and signal processing  
• Simulation and modeling workflows  
• System debugging and integration testing  
• Cross-functional engineering collaboration  

• The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year).