Senior Software Engineer, Actuation and Control Systems
Costa Mesa · Costa Mesa, CA (OC-00) · USD 191,000-253,000 · 7+ years experience · Full-time · Posted Oct 19, 2026
At a glance
- Experience
- 7+ years experience
- Employment
- Full-time
- Location
- Costa Mesa · Costa Mesa, CA (OC-00)
- Salary
- USD 191,000-253,000 · Base salary
About the role
- You will own actuation and control software for a maritime autonomous vehicle, reporting to the Navigation and Control lead.
- You will develop control algorithms that command thrusters, control surfaces, and buoyancy systems to achieve desired depth, heading, speed, and attitude across all operating conditions.
Responsibilities
- Own vehicle control software: depth, heading, speed, and attitude control
- Develop and tune control algorithms for underwater vehicle dynamics
- Implement control laws on embedded real-time platforms
- Build vehicle dynamics models and simulate control response
- Define interfaces with GN&C sensors, thruster hardware, and buoyancy actuators
- Support SITL and HITL testing of control software
- Perform at-sea tuning and validation during prototype testing
- Interface with navigation, propulsion, and buoyancy teams
- Travel up to 25% to test sites
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or equivalent
- 7+ years of experience in control systems, vehicle dynamics, or robotics software
- Experience with control algorithm development (PID, LQR, model-predictive, or equivalent)
- Proficiency in C++ or Rust for embedded control software
- Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent modeling environments
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with AUV, UUV, or marine vehicle control systems
- Working knowledge of 6-DOF vehicle dynamics modeling
- Experience with real-time embedded control implementations
- Experience with SITL/HITL testing frameworks
- Experience in defense or maritime robotics
Benefits
- Highly competitive equity grants
- Comprehensive, competitive benefits package supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next
Workplace
- Travel up to 25% to test sites
Skills
- C++
- Rust
- MATLAB
- Simulink
