Senior Control Engineer

Department: Controls & Simulation

Employment Type: Permanent employee

Schedule: Full-time

Seniority: Experienced

Location: Delft Headquarter

We are looking for a Senior Control Engineer who will design, implement, and refine the real-time control algorithms that govern the flight behaviour of our kite. You will work at the core of our technology, developing control software that ensures stable, efficient, and safe kite operation under dynamic and unpredictable atmospheric conditions.

This role bridges theory and practice: you will translate models and algorithms into reliable real-time software and deploy them into real flight hardware. Your work directly influences flight performance, energy yield, and the overall safety of the system.

What you will be doing:

• Control algorithm development
  • Design, implement, and improve flight-control algorithms in C++
  • Develop in different types of control systems like PID, H-infinity and Model Predictive Control
  • Develop robust state machines, feedback controllers, estimators, and guidance logic
  • Optimize controller performance for varying wind conditions and flight phases
  • Integrate system identification results and refine controllers from real data
    
    
• Real-time implementation and testing
  • Deploy control algorithms on embedded and real-time hardware
  • Ensure deterministic execution, stability, and safety of all control operations
  • Validate and tune controllers using simulation tools and field testing
    
    
• Flight dynamics and system understanding
  • Analyze kite flight behavior, trajectories, and control responses
  • Interpret sensor and telemetry data to improve models and controller performance
    
    
• Integration and cross-team cooperation
  • Work closely with simulation engineers to validate new control strategies
  • Collaborate with production software engineers to ensure seamless integration of controllers with the energy production logic and ground station interfaces
    
    
• Tools & Technologies
  • C++ (required), Python for analysis, prototyping, and tuning
  • Control theory, flight dynamics, nonlinear control, state estimation
  • Real-time systems, embedded platform

We are looking for a candidate with strong practical experience in developing and implementing control algorithms for complex dynamic systems. The candidate should combine excellent programming skills with a deep understanding of control dynamics.

Ideal background includes:

• Master’s or PhD in Control Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or related fields
• 5+ years of experience developing control systems for real-world platforms for instance drones, robotics, mechatronics, aerospace, automotive, etc
• Experience with control for (airborne) wind energy and tuning of controllers
• Hands-on experience with real-time embedded systems

At Kitepower, we believe that changing the world should be an exciting and rewarding journey. We invest in our team members' growth and well-being, offering a package that includes:

• An attractive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
• A key role in a pioneering company at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution.
• High impact: the direct opportunity to see your work materialize and make a tangible difference in accelerating the world's transition to clean energy.
• A dynamic culture: a flat, open, and collaborative work environment where your ideas are valued and your voice is heard.
• Innovation-driven work: the chance to tackle unique, complex challenges with cutting-edge technology, from simulation to flight.
• Professional growth: continuous learning opportunities in a multidisciplinary field that blends aerospace, mechatronics, power systems and software.

Join us

If you want to help shape the future of renewable energy, challenge yourself with cutting-edge technology, and make a real impact on the world, Kitepower is the place to be.