Nominal
Software Engineer – Systems & Real-Time (RTOS / HIL)
Nominal, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
Overview
Software Engineer – Systems & Real-Time (RTOS / HIL) Join to apply for the
Software Engineer – Systems & Real-Time (RTOS / HIL)
role at
Nominal . Nominal is building the software infrastructure that powers the world’s most advanced hardware systems — from spacecraft and autonomous vehicles to next-generation industrial machines. Our platform ingests high-rate telemetry, validates complex autonomy software in real time, and helps engineering teams iterate faster without sacrificing safety or precision. We’re a small, fast-moving team of engineers and operators who own problems end-to-end, work across disciplines, and thrive on solving challenges at the intersection of hardware and software. As a dual-use platform, we’re serving top-tier commercial and defense customers, including the U.S. Navy, United States Air Force, Shield AI, and Anduril.
Responsibilities
Design and implement hard real-time components for data acquisition, control, and simulation using C++ and/or Rust.
Develop deterministic communication layers for CAN, EtherCAT, serial, and MIL-STD-1553 or similar field buses.
Architect the core HIL runtime, including task schedulers, timing controllers, and synchronization primitives.
Integrate with embedded targets, flight computers, and sensor networks to validate autonomy and control software.
Collaborate with our infrastructure and visualization teams to connect real-time execution with distributed telemetry, playback, and analysis pipelines.
Profile, benchmark, and harden low-latency systems to meet microsecond-level timing guarantees.
Establish testing and verification standards for real-time correctness and timing determinism across the platform.
Skills & Qualifications
4+ years of systems-level or embedded software development in C++ (C++17 or newer) or Rust, with a deep understanding of real-time constraints and deterministic scheduling.
Experience with RTOSs such as QNX, RTEMS, FreeRTOS, VxWorks, or Linux PREEMPT-RT.
Background in HIL or SIL testing, real-time control loops, or simulation frameworks for aerospace, automotive, or robotics.
Strong grasp of hardware interfaces, timing jitter, interrupt handling, and low-level I/O.
Familiarity with signal acquisition, control systems, and sensor fusion concepts.
Bonus: experience with LabVIEW, NI TestStand, PXI/DAQ systems, or integration with external test equipment.
Bonus: knowledge of time-synchronized networking (PTP/NTP), DDS, or real-time middleware (ROS 2, RTI Connext).
Ability to debug at multiple layers — from driver-level to distributed telemetry — and to reason clearly about timing and causality.
Benefits & Perks
100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance
️ Unlimited PTO and sick leave
️ Free lunch, snacks, and coffee
Professional Development Stipend
✈️ Annual company retreat
Salary: $120,000 - $150,000 a year
This wide band reflects the range of experience levels we’re open to, from 2 years to 15+ years. Your specific compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis, factoring in your skills, experience, and the level at which you join. OTE includes both base salary and performance-based commissions. In addition to cash compensation, eligible employees receive competitive equity grants in the form of stock options, providing the opportunity to share in Nominal’s long-term success.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
ITAR Requirements To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Engineering and Information Technology
Industries
Software Development
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Nominal by 2x
Get notified about new Software Engineer jobs in
Los Angeles, CA .
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Software Engineer – Systems & Real-Time (RTOS / HIL) Join to apply for the
Software Engineer – Systems & Real-Time (RTOS / HIL)
role at
Nominal . Nominal is building the software infrastructure that powers the world’s most advanced hardware systems — from spacecraft and autonomous vehicles to next-generation industrial machines. Our platform ingests high-rate telemetry, validates complex autonomy software in real time, and helps engineering teams iterate faster without sacrificing safety or precision. We’re a small, fast-moving team of engineers and operators who own problems end-to-end, work across disciplines, and thrive on solving challenges at the intersection of hardware and software. As a dual-use platform, we’re serving top-tier commercial and defense customers, including the U.S. Navy, United States Air Force, Shield AI, and Anduril.
Responsibilities
Design and implement hard real-time components for data acquisition, control, and simulation using C++ and/or Rust.
Develop deterministic communication layers for CAN, EtherCAT, serial, and MIL-STD-1553 or similar field buses.
Architect the core HIL runtime, including task schedulers, timing controllers, and synchronization primitives.
Integrate with embedded targets, flight computers, and sensor networks to validate autonomy and control software.
Collaborate with our infrastructure and visualization teams to connect real-time execution with distributed telemetry, playback, and analysis pipelines.
Profile, benchmark, and harden low-latency systems to meet microsecond-level timing guarantees.
Establish testing and verification standards for real-time correctness and timing determinism across the platform.
Skills & Qualifications
4+ years of systems-level or embedded software development in C++ (C++17 or newer) or Rust, with a deep understanding of real-time constraints and deterministic scheduling.
Experience with RTOSs such as QNX, RTEMS, FreeRTOS, VxWorks, or Linux PREEMPT-RT.
Background in HIL or SIL testing, real-time control loops, or simulation frameworks for aerospace, automotive, or robotics.
Strong grasp of hardware interfaces, timing jitter, interrupt handling, and low-level I/O.
Familiarity with signal acquisition, control systems, and sensor fusion concepts.
Bonus: experience with LabVIEW, NI TestStand, PXI/DAQ systems, or integration with external test equipment.
Bonus: knowledge of time-synchronized networking (PTP/NTP), DDS, or real-time middleware (ROS 2, RTI Connext).
Ability to debug at multiple layers — from driver-level to distributed telemetry — and to reason clearly about timing and causality.
Benefits & Perks
100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance
️ Unlimited PTO and sick leave
️ Free lunch, snacks, and coffee
Professional Development Stipend
✈️ Annual company retreat
Salary: $120,000 - $150,000 a year
This wide band reflects the range of experience levels we’re open to, from 2 years to 15+ years. Your specific compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis, factoring in your skills, experience, and the level at which you join. OTE includes both base salary and performance-based commissions. In addition to cash compensation, eligible employees receive competitive equity grants in the form of stock options, providing the opportunity to share in Nominal’s long-term success.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
ITAR Requirements To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Engineering and Information Technology
Industries
Software Development
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Nominal by 2x
Get notified about new Software Engineer jobs in
Los Angeles, CA .
Dont see a job that matches your experience? Submit your resume here!
#J-18808-Ljbffr