Embedded Real-Time Controls Engineer, Free-Space Optical Communications

Aalyria•Livermore, CA

21d•$175,000 - $215,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Aalyria is developing the wavefront-correction subsystem for high-throughput atmospheric laser communications between Earth and space across a range of orbits. We're seeking an Embedded Controls Engineer to design, implement, test, and field the real-time closed-loop control at the heart of that subsystem. Working closely with our analytical team, who develop the correction approaches, you'll turn candidate methods into robust, low-latency embedded implementations, build the infrastructure to validate them, and carry the subsystem from prototype through initial production to a fielded, maintainable product. You'll investigate, prototype, and improve the adaptive optics hardware, firmware, and associated test and production tooling for a Free Space Optical Communications terminal, selecting for the best balance of practicality, reliability, and affordability from off-the-shelf components wherever possible. Throughout, you'll support and collaborate with the surrounding team of optical, mechanical, electrical, software, and controls engineers. This role is crucial for developing robust, reliable embedded control systems that implement cutting-edge communication capabilities in the field of Free Space Optical Communications.

Requirements

Degree in EE, controls, CS, physics, or a related field, plus 3+ years developing real-time, closed-loop embedded control systems on hardware.
Strong control fundamentals and hands-on experience with MATLAB/Simulink for design, analysis, and simulation.
Proven ability to convert control laws, digital filters, and DSP into embedded C and debug them on real hardware.
Comfort with nonlinear behavior and practical stabilization techniques (e.g., gain scheduling, linearization).
Demonstrated hardware bring-up: instrumentation, test, data acquisition, troubleshooting, and characterization.
Works effectively at the seam of algorithms, hardware, and software within a multidisciplinary team.
Strong execution in schedule- and resource-constrained environments.

Nice To Haves

Optics experience.
Fast-steering-mirror, fine-pointing, deformable-mirror, or precision motion/servo control experience.
Full-lifecycle experience on a lasercom terminal or comparable electro-optical system.
Familiarity with atmospheric laser propagation (amplitude and phase effects) relevant to communications.
Experience designing for harsh terrestrial environments.
Python, Go, and Linux.

Responsibilities

Implement wavefront-correction control laws and DSP algorithms (developed with the analytical team) as low-latency, closed-loop embedded C.
Design and build lab testbeds and data acquisition to validate loop bandwidth, performance, and robustness.
Drive down loop latency and improve uptime and reliability of the control subsystem.
Develop control, monitoring, and telemetry software across the full lifecycle: concept → design → integration → test → release.
Support transition of prototype and test infrastructure to manufacturing.
Collaborate with optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, and contribute to control-related technical requirements.