Principal Embedded Software Engineer, Impulse Space
Actuators & Control Systems
$180-260k
Office located in Redondo Beach, CA
In-space mobility company
Open for applications
In-space mobility company
201-500 employees
Open for applications
$180-260k
Office located in Redondo Beach, CA
201-500 employees
Company mission
To accelerate humanity's future in space through efficient transportation anywhere.
Role
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)
Desirable
- 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
Our take
Impulse Space is developing a line of orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs) that enhance satellite manoeuvrability in space. The company offers products like Mira, for last-mile satellite deliveries and Helios, which can move spacecraft from low Earth orbit to geosynchronous orbit in under 24 hours.
Recognizing the strategic value of manoeuvrable spacecraft, the US Space Force awarded Impulse a $34.5M contract for two missions set for 2026. These missions, Victus Surgo and Victus Salo, will demonstrate in-space operations and enhance space domain awareness, showcasing the Space Force's focus on quickly responding to threats in a congested space environment.
Alongside this, the company secured substantial funding that will allow it to expand its operations and advance its OTV technology. With a proven track record of successful missions and strategic partnerships with the Department of Defense, Impulse is well-positioned to lead in the growing market for responsive satellite services.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Company
Funding (last 2 of 6 rounds)
Jun 2025
$300m
SERIES C
Oct 2024
$150m
SERIES B
Total funding: $585m
Company 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
Company HQ
South Redondo, Redondo Beach, CA
Leadership
Thomas Mueller
(Founder, CEO & CTO)Prior to founding Impulse Space in 2021, they spent almost 2 decades at SpaceX, initially as a VP of Propulsion Engineering before becoming the Propulsion CTO.
Salary benchmarks
We don't have enough data yet to provide salary benchmarks for this role.
Submit your salary to help other candidates with crowdsourced salary estimates.
Share this job
View 29 more jobs at Impulse Space