Principal Controls Engineer (Architecture)

Attis; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 235,000; Full time

Job summary

Attis Global Ltd is seeking a Principal Controls Engineer to own the controls architecture for next-generation spacecraft systems. You will translate high-level requirements into control strategies, architecture and technical decisions, building from the ground up and guiding complex projects through to flight readiness.

Working with a senior engineering team, you will model, design, validate and integrate control systems, sensors and embedded hardware across multidisciplinary groups.

Qualifications

• Significant experience designing and architecting complex control systems in aerospace/space/robotics or similar high-precision environments.
• Strong background in motion control and feedback systems.
• Experience translating system requirements into control architectures and software.
• Proven ability to document complex engineering decisions clearly.

Responsibilities

• Own the design and evolution of spacecraft control architectures from concept to flight.
• Translate system requirements into practical controls solutions balancing performance and hardware constraints.
• Develop and validate control models using simulation and hardware data.
• Collaborate with sensors, actuators and embedded teams to integrate controls.
• Lead design reviews, trade studies and technical decisions for high-precision systems.
• Help grow the controls discipline as the company scales.

Skills

Control systems design

Systems engineering

Motion control

Technical communication

Systems thinking

Job description

Principal Controls Engineer sought for a rapidly growing deep-tech space company developing advanced laser-based systems for next-generation spacecraft applications.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced controls engineer to take ownership of the controls architecture behind highly complex physical systems. The focus is not simply implementing existing designs — you’ll be responsible for translating high-level system requirements into the control strategy, architecture and technical decisions that bring the system to life.

Working alongside a highly experienced engineering team, you’ll own the controls discipline across modelling, system design, hardware integration and validation. This is a role for someone who enjoys solving complex engineering problems, making architectural decisions and building systems from the ground up.

What you'll do

• Own the design and evolution of spacecraft control architectures from early concept through flight
• Translate system-level requirements into practical controls solutions, balancing performance, hardware constraints and implementation decisions
• Develop and validate control models using simulation and real-world hardware data
• Work across multidisciplinary engineering teams to integrate sensors, actuators and embedded systems
• Lead technical decisions, trade studies and design reviews for high-precision control systems
• Help build the controls discipline as the company grows

You’ll likely have:

• Significant experience designing and architecting complex control systems within aerospace, spacecraft, robotics or another high-precision environment
• Strong background in motion control, feedback systems and system modelling
• Experience taking controls from simulation through hardware testing and real-world validation
• Experience working with physical systems, sensors and embedded hardware
• Ability to operate at a systems level and influence technical direction across multiple engineering teams
• Strong technical communication skills and experience documenting complex engineering decisions
• US citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance required

Ideal backgrounds could include aerospace, spacecraft, robotics, precision automation, optical systems or other high-performance engineering environments.

This role is offering $180-235K base + benefits and the opportunity to take ownership of a critical engineering discipline within a rapidly scaling space technology company.

Disclaimer:

Attis Global Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on any of the grounds protected by law, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, national origin, religion or belief, disability, pregnancy and maternity, marital status, political affiliation, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, and/or gender reassignment. M/F/D/V. We operate as a staffing agency and employment business. More information can be found at attisglobal.com.