> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2706434-software-engineer-motor-controls](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2706434-software-engineer-motor-controls). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Software Engineer - Motor Controls - **Company:** Zipline - **Location:** South San Francisco, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $155,000.0 - $225,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Big Data, C++ (Programming Language), Linux on Embedded Systems, Firmware, Python (Programming Language), MATLAB, Monte Carlo Methods, Real-Time Operating Systems, Regression Testing, Robotic Automation Software, Systems Integration, Bare Metal, Software Coding - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/senior-software-engineer-motor-controls-zipline-6964361 ## About the Role * Fluency in C/C++, and excitement about writing code in Rust and Python. * Eagerness to learn in a fast-paced safety-critical environment. * Some experience with mechatronic control systems: hobby projects or professional experience are applicable. * Curiosity and a willingness to work in a variety of embedded environments, from running on bare metal, to using a RTOS and integrating with embedded Linux. * Experience supporting robotic systems in the real-world, in particular addressing the long-tail of edge-cases and rare events to guarantee safety, reliability, and performance. * A systems-engineering mindset, and an eye for finding efficient solutions to problems that may lie outside your core competencies. * Strong executive communication skills, to efficiently communicate about your work with stakeholders outside your technical domain. * You must be able to work on-site in South San Francisco, CA. * A background in electronics design would be appreciated, but is not required. ## Description As a Senior Motor Control Engineer at Zipline, you'll be responsible for shipping high-performance motor controller firmware for Zipline's family of proprietary motor controllers. Expect to work closely with electrical engineers, structures and mechanism designers, flight software developers, and test-site operations teams. Our close-knit engineering culture presents a unique opportunity to learn from a strong multi-disciplinary team, and lets you swiftly ship features that are clearly linked to the delivery experience. We use C++ in our firmware development, with Rust and Python for tooling that will be deployed to our production systems in the field. The team uses hardware- and software-in-the-loop test infrastructure to validate new features and regression test existing functionality. You'll often be querying large data-sets from our test operations to make high-quality data-driven engineering decisions and build prototypes of new algorithms. You'll build analyses in Matlab, Julia, or Python to prove the performance of your controls designs, and execute Monte-Carlo simulations to validate complex dynamics., * Design estimators and controllers for propulsion motors and actuators, in close collaboration with the vehicle controls team. * Implement these controllers in C++, targeting a bare-metal ARM microcontroller. * Write peripheral drivers for new revisions of Zipline's motor controller hardware. * Get your hands dirty validating your firmware on the bench and in flight tests. * Understand and improve the reliability of the flight software system as a whole, working with hardware and systems engineers to develop comprehensive fault management strategies and hardware-in-the-loop tests. * Build vehicle simulations in Rust to validate and regression test Zipline's firmware. * Collaborate with electrical engineers to bring-up and validate new inverter designs. * Build and maintain automated systems to monitor the performance of our fleet and direct maintenance activity. ## Related Videos - [Code to Road in < 12 hours](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1082-code-to-road-in-12-hours) - [Leveraging Large Language Models for Legacy Code Translation: Challenges and Solutions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1157-leveraging-large-language-models-for-legacy-code-translation-challenges-and-solutions) - [Alibaba Big Data and Machine Learning Technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/37-alibaba-big-data-and-machine-learning-technology) - [Playing Pong on a shoulder press machine](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100140-playing-pong-on-a-shoulder-press-machine) - [Software stack under and over the hood of the fastest accelerating car in the world](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/221-software-stack-under-and-over-the-hood-of-the-fastest-accelerating-car-in-the-world) - [Building a hypercar from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/607-building-a-hypercar-from-scratch) ## Related Articles - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [Software Engineer Career: Things You Should Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/143-software-engineer-career-things-you-should-know)