Senior Real-Time/Controls Software Engineer

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.

Who We Are:

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

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
• Experince working with space systems

What We’d Love:

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field. Compensation will be commensurate with experience, education, and demonstrated technical depth.
• Aerospace, defense, robotics, or autonomous systems background
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