Terrestrial Controls Engineer - Automation & Python

Location: On-site in El Segundo, California, United States. Relocation support may be available for new hires.

Salary: $109,000–$153,000 annually, plus potential stock options and/or long-term cash awards.

Company

hirify.global develops commercial space infrastructure, including in-orbit pharmaceutical processing systems, reentry capsules, heat shields, and satellite buses.

What you will do

• Design, build, maintain, and commission test systems and ground support equipment for flight hardware qualification and manufacturing.
• Integrate thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, data acquisition hardware, and precision instrumentation.
• Develop hirify.global’s internal PLC framework and Beckhoff EtherCAT tooling.
• Contribute to real-time control architecture decisions, including PLC-based TwinCAT 3 and Linux-based approaches.
• Design electrical panels, wire cabinets, debug hardware, and own systems from electrical design through commissioning.
• Partner with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams to deliver reliable test infrastructure.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of industry experience in test automation, controls, and/or industrial automation.
• Hands-on experience with EtherCAT, Modbus TCP/RTU, RS-232/485, or similar industrial communication protocols.
• Experience with a modern PLC ecosystem, ideally Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 and structured text under IEC 61131-3.
• Ability to write control software, design electrical panels, wire cabinets, and debug hardware.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and qualify as a U.S. person for access to export-controlled technology.

Nice to have

• Experience balancing real-time PLC code with higher-level Python orchestration.
• Advanced EtherCAT expertise, including DC synchronization, ENI configuration, master implementation, or driver-level work.
• Experience with deterministic sub-millisecond control loops, time-series data tools, or custom control frameworks.
• Aerospace, spacecraft testing, GSE, environmental testing, propulsion test stand, or high-pressure fluid-system experience.
• Experience with safety-related control systems and spacecraft qualification documentation.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time employment with flexible PTO and 12 paid holidays.
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.
• 12 weeks of parental leave, family-building support, and wellness reimbursement.
• 401(k) plan with a 6% immediately vested employer match and equity incentives.
• Daily lunch, twice-weekly dinner, team events, and complimentary EV charging.