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Control System Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Control System Design information

See California salary details

$60.2K

$107.4K

$173.2K

How much do control system design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for control system design in California is $107,351.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,900.00 and $124,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Control System Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Control System Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, automation, and control theory, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as PLC programming software, SCADA systems, MATLAB/Simulink, and certifications like ISA CAP are typically required. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help you excel in designing efficient and safe automation solutions. These skills ensure the creation of reliable control systems that optimize processes, increase safety, and meet project requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Control System Design, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Control System Design often encounter challenges such as integrating new control systems with legacy equipment, ensuring system reliability under varying operating conditions, and managing tight project deadlines. To address these, it’s important to stay updated with the latest industry standards, collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams (such as electrical, software, and mechanical engineers), and conduct thorough testing and simulation before implementation. Effective communication with stakeholders and regular documentation also help in troubleshooting and future maintenance.

What are control system designers?

Control system designers are engineers or specialists who develop, implement, and optimize systems that automatically manage, regulate, or control the behavior of machinery, processes, or devices. They use principles from electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering to create systems that ensure stability, efficiency, and safety in industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and energy. Their work involves selecting sensors, designing controllers, programming automation software, and testing system performance. Control system designers play a crucial role in modern automation and industrial processes.

What is the difference between Control System Design vs Control Systems Engineer?

AspectControl System DesignControl Systems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Control Theory knowledgeBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Control Theory, and practical experience
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, simulation software, project planningFieldwork, system integration, testing facilities
Industry UsagePrimarily in design and development phasesImplementation, testing, and maintenance of control systems

Control System Design focuses on creating and developing control algorithms and system architectures, often in a theoretical or simulation environment. Control Systems Engineers apply these designs in real-world settings, implementing, testing, and maintaining control systems in various industries. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds, Control System Design emphasizes planning and modeling, whereas Control Systems Engineering involves practical application and system management.

What are popular job titles related to Control System Design jobs in California? For Control System Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Control System Design jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Control System Design jobs in California are:
Control System Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Control System Design job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,351 per year, or $51.6 per hour.
Thermal Control System (TCS) Design Engineer

Thermal Control System (TCS) Design Engineer

K2 Space

Los Angeles, CA

$100K - $215K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted yesterday

Job description

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers – we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we'd love for you to apply.

The Role

You will own the success of developing, implementing and testing both R&D and production thermal control systems on the spacecraft. You will be responsible for spearheading the design and verification efforts of active and passive thermal control systems including, but not limited to, pump fluid loops, heat pipes and all of the required ground supporting equipment (test fixtures, diagnostic equipment, instrumentation, software tools etc.). Your work will require familiarity with pressurized systems (valves, pumps, accumulators, heat exchangers), thermo-mechanical instrumentation (temperature sensors, pressure sensors, flow meters etc.), integrated electronics systems, and secondary satellite structures.

You will partner with design engineers early on in the process to ensure manufacturability while building the first prototype, design the build flow, and finalize the process for transition to production.

Responsibilities

  • Work with lead engineers to design active and passive thermal control systems using basic heat transfer and mechanical equations to size lines, pumps, accumulators, cold plates etc.
  • Planning and development of thermal cycle and thermal-vacuum testing campaigns
  • Design and development of heater and cooling systems including control architecture
  • Setup, commission, and maintain state-of-the-art test stands and instrumentation
  • Develop data acquisition systems for active and passive thermal control systems
  • Perform tests on novel pump fluid loop including feed systems, power electronics, and hardware-in-the-loop
  • Develop testing and control scripts to conduct safe and reliable test campaigns of pump fluid loop and individual components
  • Create formal documentation for development and production: test procedures, test reports, and standard operating procedures
  • Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical test setups and hardware
  • Document, compile, analyze, and present test data

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of experience with thermal test experience in a high-rate manufacturing environment
  • 2+ years of experience with sizing and testing fluid systems including pumps, valves, accumulators, heat exchanger, cold plates etc.
  • Demonstrated experience with data acquisition for thermal and power related applications
  • Experience with test plan development and execution
  • Strong experience with thermal and TVAC testing including setup, instrumentation, and troubleshooting
  • Demonstrated knowledge of NX or AutoCAD is preferred to design test fixtures

Nice to Have

  • Experience with basic and statistical data analysis
  • Experience with Thermal Desktop for thermal analysis
  • Experience with signal conditioning to define optimal acquisition rate and understand when signal-to-noise ratio is not acceptable
  • Experience with pumps testing
  • Experience with avionics testing
  • Experience with testing refrigeration systems

Compensation and Benefits:

  • Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $215,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged! If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, "U.S. Persons" include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a "U.S. Person."

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

Equal Opportunity

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

K2 Space logo

About K2 Space

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2022

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