Principal Embedded Software Engineer (Actuators & Control Systems)

Principal Embedded Software Engineer (Actuators & Control Systems)

Department: Software

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Redondo Beach

Compensation: $180,000 - $260,000 / year

Description

As a Senior Embedded Software Engineer at Impulse focused on Actuation & Control Systems, you will be responsible for developing embedded software that controls a variety of actuated systems across launch vehicles and spacecraft. These include rocket engine valves, satellite thrusters, thrust vector control actuators, and motor-driven devices such as reaction wheels and gimbals. You will collaborate with propulsion, avionics, and GNC teams to design high-performance, fault-tolerant firmware capable of operating reliably in harsh environments such as launch and space.

Responsibilities

• Develop real-time firmware for controlling rocket engine valves and thrust vector control actuators (TVCAs); satellite propulsion systems, including cold gas and electric thrusters; and motor-driven systems such as reaction wheels, gimbals, and momentum wheels.
• Implement closed-loop control for position, velocity, torque, and pressure regulation; as well as feedback via encoders, LVDTs, resolvers, current sensors, and pressure sensors.
• Interface with motor drivers and redundant actuator systems using protocols like CAN, SPI, UART, Ethernet, RS-422, and BISS-C.
• Design and implement safety-critical state machines for thrust sequences, valve actuation, pressurization, and safe shutdowns.
• Participate in hotfire campaigns, environmental testing, and in-flight diagnostics.
• Write unit‑tested and reviewable production firmware for use in both testbeds and spacecraft.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of embedded C/C++ development experience for electromechanical control systems.
• Experience using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, hardware debuggers, and source-level debuggers to troubleshoot problems at all layers of the stack.
• Experience implementing real-time control loops, motor commutation, and actuator calibration routines.
• Proficiency working with servo motors, stepper motors, or brushless DC motors.
• Strong understanding of low-level hardware and digital interfaces (I2C, SPI, CAN, UART).

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Prior work on rocket engine controller software, including valve sequencing and abort logic.
• Experience with satellite attitude control systems (ACS), including reaction wheels, magnetorquers, and small thrusters.
• Familiarity with redundant actuator architectures and fault detection/response algorithms.
• Exposure to space environment constraints such as vacuum, temperature extremes, and radiation upsets.

Additional Information

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full‑time hires you may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as a 401(k) retirement plan.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.