Lead Software Engineer (Real Time Controls)

Senior Real-Time Controls Software Engineer | LA | Onsite |

InnoForge is partnering with an ambitious aerospace startup developing a fundamentally new approach to space operations.

Backed by leading investors and building first-of-its-kind technology, our client is creating highly dynamic electromechanical systems that demand an exceptional blend of controls engineering, embedded software expertise, and real-world systems thinking.

They're seeking a Senior Real-Time Controls Software Engineer to take ownership of the software architecture responsible for controlling critical high-speed mechanical systems where precise timing, fault handling, and deterministic behaviour are mission-critical.

This is not a role for someone who wants to manage from a distance. You'll be the technical owner, designing, building, testing, and validating the software that directly controls hardware operating in complex, high-consequence environments.

What You'll Be Doing

• Architect and develop deterministic real-time control software for advanced electromechanical aerospace systems
• Design and implement motor control, actuator control, release timing, and safety-critical fault handling logic
• Translate controls algorithms and models from MATLAB/Simulink and Python into robust production software
• Work closely with Flight Software, GNC, Mechanical, Electrical and Systems Engineering teams to define software architecture and system interactions
• Build and execute Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and simulation-based verification strategies
• Develop software interfaces for sensors, actuators, motor controllers and embedded hardware
• Lead debugging, validation and integration activities on prototype hardware
• Drive software design decisions around timing, latency, fault tolerance, redundancy and system safety
• Support rapid development cycles, prototype testing and system iteration

What We're Looking For

We're interested in engineers who understand the challenges of controlling real-world dynamic systems where milliseconds matter.

You'll likely bring experience from one or more of the following sectors:

• Space Systems
• Space Robotics
• Autonomous Vehicles
• Aerospace & Flight Control Systems
• Missile & Weapon Systems
• Advanced Robotics
• High-Speed Industrial Machinery
• Safety-Critical Embedded Systems

You should have

• 5+ years of experience developing embedded, controls, or real-time software
• Strong C/C++ development experience
• Experience with Python and simulation workflows
• Deep understanding of deterministic real-time systems
• Experience with motor control systems, actuators, or dynamic mechanical systems
• Experience translating control theory into deployable software
• Hands-on experience integrating software with hardware
• Strong fault management, safety architecture and system validation experience

The successful candidate won't be joining a large team with established processes and layers of management. Instead, you'll be trusted to solve complex engineering problems, work autonomously, and help build technology that doesn't currently exist elsewhere in the industry.

Due to export control requirements, applicants must be eligible to work on ITAR-controlled projects.