Precision Motion Controls Engineer (Robotics)

Gradient Robotics; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Gradient Robotics in San Francisco is seeking a Controls Engineer to own motion from command to actuator. You will design and tune control loops enabling sub-millimeter precision on real robots, and collaborate across mechanical, electrical, and software teams to deliver deterministic systems.

You will work with real hardware daily, iterating rapidly through test procedures, tuning controllers, and validating performance under load.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of controls engineering experience on real electromechanical systems (robotics, motion systems, automation, or similar).
• Strong control theory fundamentals: PID and beyond, system identification, stability analysis.
• Hands-on experience tuning motor control and closed-loop motion systems on physical hardware, not just in simulation.
• Proficiency in C++ or Rust for real-time control code, plus Python for analysis and tooling.
• Debugged control problems in the wild: instability, resonance, latency, sensor noise, and mechanical compliance.
• Comfort with ambiguity and a strong build-and-test instinct.
• Able to work on-site in San Francisco 5 days/week (6 days/week if needed during crunch time)
• embedded in the team

Responsibilities

• Own the control stack: design, implement, and tune motor control, trajectory execution, and high-rate feedback loops on real robots
• Own precision motion: deliver repeatable, sub-millimeter positioning under significant loads, and diagnose the sources of error
• Own force and contact control: develop force/impedance control strategies for delicate hardware tasks
• Own actuator and sensor integration: bring up motors, drives, encoders, and force/torque sensors
• Partner across the stack: work with mechanical, electrical, and software teams on real-time interfaces
• Validate and iterate fast: build test procedures and quickly tune revisions

Skills

Controls engineering

Real-time control

C++/Rust

Python

Hardware-in-the-loop

Tools

EtherCAT

CANopen

Job description

Gradient Robotics in San Francisco is seeking a Controls Engineer to own motion from command to actuator. You will design and tune control loops enabling sub-millimeter precision on real robots, and collaborate across mechanical, electrical, and software teams to deliver deterministic systems.

You will work with real hardware daily, iterating rapidly through test procedures, tuning controllers, and validating performance under load.