---
title: 'Senior Real-Time/Controls Software Engineer at Space Kinetic'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-real-time-controls-software-engineer-space-kinetic-el-segundo-mc5wstfpehyn'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Senior Real-Time/Controls Software Engineer at Space Kinetic

- **Company:** Space Kinetic
- **Location:** El Segundo, CA
- **Compensation:** $170k–$240k
- **Posted:** 2026-05-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/spacekinetic/jobs/5225592008

## Job description

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
- 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

*Our vision is unique, and so is the team we’re building. If you’re driven to succeed in this role, even if your background doesn’t fully align with every qualification, we want your application.

Where You’ll Be:

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

What We Offer:

- Equity-Based Compensation

- Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar

- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

- Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure

ITAR Requirements: To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR [here](https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public/ddtc_public?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987)

Equal Employment Opportunity: Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.  Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.

Pay Range $170,000—$240,000 USD

## About Space Kinetic

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Space Kinetic is building a proprietary electromechanical deployment system to make space maneuver ultra-abundant and space systems ultra-affordable, focusing on national security priorities like missile defense and space superiority.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Seed Stage – $12.0M Seed round led by Balerion Space Ventures in September 2025)
- **Headquarters**: El Segundo, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Scott Ziegler and Ryan Sullivan

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Defense and Space Manufacturing
- **Target customers**: U.S. government and defense agencies (national security, missile defense, space superiority); B2G (Business-to-Government)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To rethink space operations down to first principles to deliver game-changing capabilities for missile defense and space superiority, making the space domain more secure, more prosperous, and more resilient.

## Products & Services
- **Whirlwind Platform**: A proprietary electromechanical deployment system that deploys micro-payloads from a host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster. Decouples the propulsion system from the payload to bypass the tyranny of the rocket equation, enabling a “one-to-many” architecture for space missions. Type: Hardware + IP / Space Technology Platform.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (private company)
- **Key Metric – Total Funding**: $12.2M across 4 rounds (latest: $12.0M Seed Round on 2025-09-13 led by Balerion Space Ventures with 10 investors)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Balerion Space Ventures (lead), CerraCap Ventures, Draper (DraperSPARX partner), AWS Space Accelerator, New Mexico Vintage Fund
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount grew 143.8% year-over-year (now ~35 employees)
  - Active job postings: 24 (monthly job posting growth +71.4%, quarterly +242.9%)
  - 4 offices across the U.S. (El Segundo HQ, Albuquerque, NM)
  - Recent partnerships: Draper named Space Kinetic a DraperSPARX partner (Aug 2025); CerraCap Ventures investment (Aug 2025)
  - LinkedIn followers: 8,570 (yearly growth +832.4%)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Proprietary electromechanical deployment technology** that eliminates traditional propellant constraints, enabling abundant low-cost maneuver in space.
- **“One-to-many” architecture** that fundamentally changes space mission economics, making space systems more affordable and scalable.
- **Strong national security focus** with direct relevance to urgent U.S. defense priorities, creating a clear mission-driven market.
- **First-principles engineering approach** that rethinks space operations from the ground up, differentiating from legacy propulsion-dependent systems.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling the Whirlwind platform from prototype to production (currently assembling 5 prototype units).
- Deepening partnerships with defense agencies and strategic partners (Draper, CerraCap Ventures) to accelerate deployment.
- Expanding engineering and manufacturing teams to support rapid iteration and transition to operational systems.
- Continuing to raise capital and secure government contracts to fund growth and product maturation.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven culture**: Focus on solving the nation’s most urgent national security priorities in space superiority and missile defense.
- **Values**: Intellectual horsepower, curiosity, grit, and commitment to the mission are core.
- **Cutting-edge technical challenges**: Work on novel electromechanical deployment systems, GNC, flight software, and advanced manufacturing.
- **Growth environment**: Rapidly scaling startup (143% headcount growth YoY) with opportunity to define the next era of space operations.
- **Work policy**: Primarily on-site at El Segundo, CA (with some remote roles like ISO Compliance Consultant). Multiple U.S. offices (El Segundo HQ, Albuquerque, NM).
- **Notable perks**: Venture-backed startup with competitive base compensation; opportunity to work directly on hardware prototypes and see them launch.
- **Team composition**: High technical density (47% of staff in technical roles), with many engineers from top universities and companies (Tesla, UC Berkeley, Astra, REGENT).

## Sources
1. [spacekinetic.com](https://www.spacekinetic.com/company)
2. [spacekinetic.com](https://www.spacekinetic.com/)
3. [LinkedIn - Space Kinetic Corp.](https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-kinetic)
4. [Greenhouse - Jobs at Space Kinetic](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/spacekinetic)

## Other roles at Space Kinetic

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- [Infrastructure & Systems Administrator](https://feeny.ai/job/infrastructure-systems-administrator-space-kinetic-el-segundo-kj4w0tg8t2rb) — El Segundo, CA
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