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.

Job 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