Senior Real-Time/Controls Software Engineer

About the role

Space Kinetic is building a new architecture for space operations that replaces one-to-one satellite designs with a one-to-many system for high-velocity payload deployment. In this role, you will own the implementation, integration, and validation of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms that enable rapid and reliable operations. You will work within small, cross-functional agile teams, participating in sprints, daily standups, code reviews, and performance improvements. A significant portion of your week will be dedicated to planning, debugging, and code review, ensuring that technical decisions are communicated clearly and effectively. You will translate complex control models into robust, production-grade software while collaborating closely with systems, electrical, and mechanical engineers. Your work will directly support system-level testing campaigns and help the team meet aggressive development timelines without compromising quality. You will play a key role in bridging high-level mission requirements with real-time software execution on prototype hardware.

Key facts

What you'll do

Design, implement, and validate guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms in alignment with system requirements and performance constraints.

Develop and execute hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing strategies to verify control behavior under flight-like conditions before deployment.

Support control systems integration, debugging, and validation on prototype hardware to identify and resolve performance issues.

Participate in system-level testing, troubleshooting, and rapid iteration during development campaigns to meet demanding quality and schedule targets.

Translate MATLAB/Simulink and Python-based control models into efficient, maintainable, and production-quality real-time software implementations.

Write, review, and maintain strong C/C++ and Python code to build, test, and sustain control software components across the development lifecycle.

Collaborate with hardware teams to integrate and test hardware and software systems, ensuring end-to-end behavior matches mission requirements.

Apply knowledge of space systems to address mission-specific constraints, operational environments, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Contribute to real-time software architecture design, focusing on deterministic behavior and strict timing guarantees for critical control functions.

Support the development and refinement of control loops, sensor integration, and actuator interfaces to improve system stability and accuracy.

Assist in debugging complex interactions between software, firmware, and hardware during integration and system-level testing.

Promote cross-functional collaboration by clearly documenting technical decisions and communicating trade-offs to multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Help establish and improve testing workflows, simulation practices, and validation procedures to reduce risk and accelerate development.

Drive iterative improvements in software quality, performance, and reliability throughout the prototype and pre-flight phases.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or related field OR a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field is required.

At least 5 years of experience in embedded software, controls software, or real-time systems development is required.

Understanding of real-time software architecture and deterministic system behavior is required for reliable operation under strict timing constraints.

Experience with motor controls, actuator systems, or embedded control loops is required to implement and tune real-time responses.

Proficiency in translating MATLAB/Simulink and Python-based control models into deployable, production-quality real-time software is required.

Strong programming experience in C/C++ and Python is required to build, test, and maintain control software components.

Experience supporting integration and testing of hardware and software systems is required to validate end-to-end behavior.

Experience working with space systems is required to align with mission-specific constraints and operational environments.

U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, Refugee status under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, Asylee status under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or eligibility for required U.S. Department of State authorizations is required.

Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Department of State export compliance certifications as required for the role.

Willingness to work onsite at the headquarters in El Segundo, CA, with potential domestic travel up to approximately 20% of the year.

Nice to have

A PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field is valued and may influence compensation.

Background in aerospace, defense, robotics, or autonomous systems is valued for context and faster onboarding.

Experience with HIL simulation and testing is valued to reduce risk during early development.

Familiarity with GNC algorithms and controls development workflows is valued for smoother collaboration.

Experience supporting high-speed dynamic systems or safety-critical systems is valued to address demanding operational scenarios.

Familiarity with embedded Linux, RTOS, FPGA interfaces, or low-level hardware communication protocols is valued for efficient integration.

Startup or rapid-prototyping experience is preferred to adapt quickly to evolving requirements and constraints.

Real-time embedded systems expertise is preferred to handle complex timing and concurrency challenges.

Control loop implementation skills are preferred to tune performance and stability.

Motor controllers and actuator interfaces experience is preferred to accelerate hardware validation.

Sensor integration and signal processing experience is preferred to enable accurate state estimation and control.

Simulation and modeling workflows experience is preferred to streamline design verification and iteration.

System debugging and integration testing capabilities are preferred to resolve issues efficiently.

Cross-functional engineering collaboration skills are preferred to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

Practical notes

The role is onsite at the headquarters in El Segundo, CA, with potential domestic travel up to approximately 20% of the year.

U.S. export compliance rules apply; eligibility is constrained by citizenship, residency, or refugee/asylee status as defined by applicable law.