Impulse Space

In-space propulsion and payload mobility

Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Actuators & Control Systems

Embedded EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeRedondo Beach, CA, USA$160k - $280k /yrIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
At least 5 years of embedded C/C++ development experience for electromechanical control systems.
Experience using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, hardware debuggers, and source-level debuggers to troubleshoot across 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, including I2C, SPI, CAN, and UART.

Responsibilities

Develop embedded real-time firmware for rocket engine valves, thrust vector control actuators, 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, using feedback from encoders, LVDTs, resolvers, current sensors, and pressure sensors.
Interface with motor drivers and redundant actuator systems using CAN, SPI, UART, Ethernet, RS-422, and BISS-C protocols.
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, reviewable production firmware for use in testbeds and spacecraft.

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.

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

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
5+ 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)

About the Company

Impulse Space

In-space propulsion and payload mobility

Impulse Space builds in-space mobility services and propulsion to move payloads after launch. Its products include Mira for precise maneuvering and rendezvous, Helios high-energy kick stage, Caravan rideshare to higher-energy orbits, and propulsion lines Saiph, Deneb, and Rigel. These tools act as in-space tugs and stages to push, dock, and deploy payloads in orbit. Led by SpaceX veteran Tom Mueller, Impulse Space uses flight-proven hardware and a growing network of facilities to make reaching higher-energy orbits faster and cheaper, expanding access for customers.

Company size: 501-1,000
Company stage: Series D
Total funding: $1.4B
Headquarters: Redondo Beach, CA
Founded: 2021

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