{"id":633865,"url":"https://alion.io/job/aalyria-embedded-real-time-controls-engineer-free-space-optical-communications","title":"Embedded Real-Time Controls Engineer, Free-Space Optical Communications","company":{"id":668833,"name":"Aalyria","domain":"aalyria.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/aalyria","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Rippling","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":88,"open_postings":11,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.273,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":79,"computed_at":"2026-10-20T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"middle","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Livermore, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":92000,"max_usd":178000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":609},"experience_years_min":3,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Embedded C","optional":false},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Simulink","optional":false},{"name":"C","optional":true},{"name":"Linux","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-07-21T17:27:24Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-07-21","last_verified_at":"2026-10-20T15:01:40Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":90,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":90},"description":"About Aalyria:\nAalyria is a leading technology company that supplies laser communications technology and temporospatial software-defined networking platforms to the aerospace industry. With technology acquired from Google, Aalyria is at the forefront of innovation in satellite and airborne mesh networks, as well as cislunar and deep-space communications. We are revolutionizing the orchestration and management of planetary mesh networks using any radio or optical spectrum, any orbit, and any hardware across land, sea, air, and space.\n Role Overview:\nAalyria 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.\nKey Responsibilities:\nImplement wavefront-correction control laws and DSP algorithms (developed with the analytical team) as low-latency, closed-loop embedded C.\nDesign and build lab testbeds and data acquisition to validate loop bandwidth, performance, and robustness.\nDrive down loop latency and improve uptime and reliability of the control subsystem.\nDevelop control, monitoring, and telemetry software across the full lifecycle: concept → design → integration → test → release.\nSupport transition of prototype and test infrastructure to manufacturing.\nCollaborate with optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, and contribute to control-related technical requirements.\nRequired Qualifications:\nDegree in EE, controls, CS, physics, or a related field, plus 3+ years developing real-time, closed-loop embedded control systems on hardware.\nStrong control fundamentals and hands-on experience with MATLAB/Simulink for design, analysis, and simulation.\nProven ability to convert control laws, digital filters, and DSP into embedded C and debug them on real hardware.\nComfort with nonlinear behavior and practical stabilization techniques (e.g., gain scheduling, linearization).\nDemonstrated hardware bring-up: instrumentation, test, data acquisition, troubleshooting, and characterization.\nWorks effectively at the seam of algorithms, hardware, and software within a multidisciplinary team.\nStrong execution in schedule- and resource-constrained environments.\nPreferred Qualifications:\nOptics experience.\nFast-steering-mirror, fine-pointing, deformable-mirror, or precision motion/servo control experience.\nFull-lifecycle experience on a lasercom terminal or comparable electro-optical system.\nFamiliarity with atmospheric laser propagation (amplitude and phase effects) relevant to communications.\nExperience designing for harsh terrestrial environments.\nPython, Go, and Linux.\nThis role is crucial for developing robust, reliable embedded control systems that implement cutting-edge communication capabilities in the field of Free Space Optical Communications.\nWhat We Offer:\nInnovative Environment: Work at a cutting-edge company shaping the future of aerospace communications.\nImpactful Work: Directly contribute to critical national security programs and initiatives.\nGrowth Opportunities: Expand your career with opportunities for professional development and advancement.\nInclusive Culture: Be part of a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive workplace where your contributions matter.\nFlexibility: Flexible working arrangements including hybrid remote/in-office schedules.\nCompensation and Equity: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits (401(k), dental, vision, health, life insurance), paid time off, and equity options.\nITAR/EAR Requirements:\nThis position involves access to export-controlled information. To comply with U.S. government export regulations, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:\n(A) Qualify as a U.S. person, which includes:\nU.S. citizen or national\nU.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder)\nRefugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157\nAsylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158\n(B) Be eligible to access export-controlled information without requiring an export authorization.\n(C) Be eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the necessary export authorization from the appropriate U.S. government agency.\nThe company reserves the right to decline pursuing an export licensing process for legitimate business-related reasons.\nEqual Opportunity Employer Statement:\nAalyria is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Qualified applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.","description_format":"text","description_chars":5578,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":3,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Flexible schedule","Growth opportunities","Life insurance","Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Optical Communications"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-10T19:36:54Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":40,"band":"fade","label":"Fading","p_open":1,"p_active":0.732,"p_room":0.55,"age_days":90,"expected_fill_days":79,"reasons":["conf:0","win:tail"],"computed_at":"2026-10-20T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/aalyria-embedded-real-time-controls-engineer-free-space-optical-communications","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/aalyria-embedded-real-time-controls-engineer-free-space-optical-communications.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-20T15:56:31Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":18119,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-21T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":668833},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=668833"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Faalyria-embedded-real-time-controls-engineer-free-space-optical-communications"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Faalyria-embedded-real-time-controls-engineer-free-space-optical-communications"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Faalyria-embedded-real-time-controls-engineer-free-space-optical-communications"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/aalyria-embedded-real-time-controls-engineer-free-space-optical-communications\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Faalyria-embedded-real-time-controls-engineer-free-space-optical-communications"}]}