
Principal Embedded Software Engineer
Role summary
Impulse is seeking a Principal Embedded Software Engineer to develop critical embedded software for actuation and control systems on launch vehicles and spacecraft. This role involves designing and implementing real-time firmware for rocket engine valves, satellite thrusters, and various motor-driven devices. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-performance, fault-tolerant operation in harsh environments. Responsibilities include implementing closed-loop control, interfacing with hardware, and developing safety-critical state machines. The ideal candidate has 12+ years of embedded C/C++ experience, a strong understanding of hardware interfaces, and experience with spacecraft control systems.
### Who you are
- 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)
- 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
### What the job involves
- 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
### Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision: Enjoy the best medical, dental and optical coverage money can buy. We've got you and your family covered for all eventualities
- Company Ownership: You’ll be contributing to Impulse's success, so you deserve to share in it. All full-time employees receive a meaningful equity allocation
- Flexible PTO Policy: We believe in work-life harmony more so than "balance". When you are happy & fulfilled outside of work, you will be more productive when you're in it. We offer generous PTO accrual to our full-time employees
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