Principal Research Engineer - Control, Optimization & Safety Systems

Arm; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 249,900 - 338,100; Full time

Job summary

Arm, based in Austin, Texas, is seeking candidates for a key robotics position focused on developing real-time control and safety-critical systems. In this role, you will work on algorithms for complex robots and integrate learning-based components. Candidates should have a strong background in control theory and experience with real-time systems. The competitive salary ranges from $249,900 to $338,100 per year, reflecting the level of expertise required for the role.

Qualifications

• Strong background in control theory, robotics dynamics, and optimization.
• Experience with real-time or safety-critical systems.
• Proficiency in C++ and/or Python.

Responsibilities

• Develop control algorithms for complex robots.
• Integrate control with learning-based components in hierarchical systems.
• Design safety mechanisms for runtime assurance.

Skills

Control theory

Robotics dynamics

Optimization

C++

Python

Real-time systems

Job description

Overview

Arm is extending its “Arm everywhere” vision into robotics and embodied AI—where intelligence must operate under real‑world constraints of latency, power, and safety. We are building a new robotics research lab in Austin focused on the science of integration—understanding how different paradigms (learning, control, planning) work together in real robotic systems, and how they map onto heterogeneous compute.

This role focuses on control, optimization, and safety as the foundation of deployable embodied AI. You will develop real‑time control and safety‑critical systems, and integrate them with learning‑based components in hierarchical architectures. A key focus is ensuring that behavior can be bounded, verified, and enforced across the system.

Responsibilities

• Develop control algorithms (e.g., MPC, optimal control) for complex robots
• Integrate control with learning‑based components in hierarchical systems
• Design safety mechanisms (runtime assurance, constraint enforcement)
• Contribute to real‑time system design under strict latency constraints
• Enable system‑level integration across ML, perception, and systems
• Translate safety and control requirements into compute and architecture insights

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong background in control theory, robotics dynamics, optimization
• Experience with real‑time or safety‑critical systems
• Proficiency in C++ and/or Python
• Experience with robotic platforms and simulators
• Publications in top‑tier venues

Nice to Have Skills and Experience

• MPC, trajectory optimization
• Control Barrier Functions or safety‑constrained control
• Formal methods and verification
• Learning‑based control
• Experience with high‑DOF or humanoid robots

In Return

You will help define how robotic systems are made safe, reliable, and controllable—shaping both Arm’s research direction and the architectures that will power robots at global scale.

Salary Range

$249,900–$338,100 per year

Equal Opportunities at Arm

Arm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and colleagues. We are a diverse organization of dedicated and innovative individuals, and don’t discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.