Senior Vehicle Controls Engineer
What we’re building
Every idea starts with a problem. Ours was simple: Boats are special — but they’re loud, pollutant, unreliable, and stuck in the past. Gas-powered boats dominate not because they’re great, but because no better option has existed. Until now.
Arc is here to change that. We’re building 100% electric boats from the ground up — quicker, quieter, easier to maintain, and better for the water they ride on. We’re not just swapping gas for batteries. We’re rethinking every detail on the boat — from propulsion and powertrain to software and ownership model — applying first-principles engineering from aerospace and EVs to deliver a better boating experience.
Electric boats haven’t taken over yet. The tech hasn’t been ready. The talent hasn’t been focused here. That’s our opportunity — and we’re moving fast.
Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for someone who’s fired up by our mission and ready to build. You’ll thrive here if you adapt quickly, take ownership, and care about the details.
This is a full-time, on-site role at our Los Angeles headquarters. You’ll report to Manager, Electrical Engineering and work closely with a lean, high-trust team where everyone’s work matters.
Core responsibilities
- Own the vehicle level control architecture and end-to-end development of real time systems that power next generation sport watercraft capabilities, spanning foundational powertrain and BMS control to precision station keeping, intelligent propulsion, and advanced maneuvering
- Translate vehicle-level requirements into robust, production-ready control architectures and implementations
- Develop, tune, and validate control strategies and fault detection / mitigation logic for safety-critical systems
- Lead system bring-up, vehicle integration, and deep cross-domain debugging (electrical, firmware, and mechanical)
- Drive structured root cause investigations using data, instrumentation, and experimentation
- Define and execute validation strategies including bench testing, HIL, and production-level verification
- Improve system reliability, diagnosability, and serviceability across product iterations
- Contribute meaningfully to code reviews, design reviews, and technical problem solving within the controls team
Basic qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in embedded systems, controls, or vehicle electrical integration
- Strong hands-on experience building and debugging real-time, hardware-integrated systems
- Deep familiarity with CAN-based architectures and network-level debugging tools
- Demonstrated experience shipping complex hardware-integrated systems into production
- Strong intuition for system-level tradeoffs under real-world constraints
- Ability to operate independently and drive execution without heavy oversight
Bonus qualifications
- Experience with EV or marine electrical architectures
- Proficiency in C/C++, Rust, Python, or similar languages for embedded or automation development
- Experience with model-based design or control algorithm development
- Familiarity with DFMEA, functional safety, or reliability engineering practices
- Experience building automated validation or HIL infrastructure
- Comfort working directly with oscilloscopes, data loggers, and ECU flashing tools
At Arc, we encourage diversity and consider all qualified applicants equally for employment, regardless of background, identity, or status. You’re always welcome to reach out even if you don’t meet many of these qualifications. Passion and aptitude make up for a lot.
Our values
We move with urgency and build with care. We value these five things above all else:
- Ownership over both your work and the company’s success
- Empathy for colleagues and for customers
- Humility in problem solving and collaboration
- Pragmatism for navigating ambiguity quickly and sensibly
- Inclusion of different backgrounds, opinions, cultures, and perspectives.
We want people who share and embody these values. It is vital that our values align - we’d be happy to elaborate on any or all of these during the interview process.
What we offer
We don’t think great work happens by accident. We invest in the people building Arc — because when you’re supported, you do your best work.
- Salary P3: 180,000 P4: $205,000
- Ownership – Equity in Arc
- 99% employer-paid health coverage – Medical, dental, and vision
- Arc Water Fund – Annual stipend to get out on the water, however you choose
- Captain Training – Get certified to take the boat out with friends and family
- 401(k) access – Plan your future
- Semi-annual bonuses – Tied to your impact, not just your tenure
- Daily team lunches, snacks, and good coffee while onsite
- Parental leave – Because family comes first
- Boat days – Yes, we actually go out on the water. A lot.
- A chance to define the future of boating
The ability to drive positive environmental change through your work
Hope to hear from you soon!
The Crew at Arc