Principal Robotic Controls Engineer

Clera; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 315,000; Full time

Job summary

Clera Labs, Inc. in San Francisco is seeking a senior controls engineer to lead precision pointing and tracking architectures for defense-directed energy systems.

You will shepherd theory, simulation, and hardware testing from concept to flight-ready implementations. The role demands PhD-level depth in control and estimation, extensive experience with Kalman-type filters and multi-rate designs, and strong embedded C/C++ on RTOS, plus MATLAB/Simulink.

Qualifications

• PhD-level depth in control theory and estimation.
• 10+ years closing loops on precision pointing, tracking, or stabilization hardware.
• Proficiency in robust control (H-infinity, mu-synthesis, LQG) and advanced estimation (Kalman variants, IMM).
• Experience shipping C/C++ control loops on embedded/RTOS targets; MATLAB/Simulink and Python.

Responsibilities

• Design control architecture for coarse gimbals and fine steering mirrors with bandwidth allocation and multi-rate operation.
• Develop Kalman variants and sensor fusion that produce latency-compensated aimpoints.
• Build line-of-sight stabilization, jitter rejection, and adaptive/notch filtering for structural modes.
• Allocate pointing error budgets and validate performance in field tests.
• Model plants and dynamics for gimbals and mirrors using simulation and hardware-in-the-loop validation.
• Analyze robustness under disturbances and integrate controls with tracking and safety logic.
• Deploy control algorithms to embedded targets and lead kilohertz-rate loops.
• Provide technical review and mentor engineers.

Skills

Precision control

Sensor fusion

Embedded C/C++

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Real-time systems

Education

PhD in control theory

Tools

C/C++ on embedded/RTOS

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Job description

About the Role

Join a defense technology team developing autonomous directed-energy systems. As the senior technical anchor for controls, you will shape precision pointing and tracking architecture, from theory and simulation through real-world hardware testing.

What You'll Do

• Design control architecture for coarse gimbals and fine steering mirrors, including bandwidth allocation, multi-rate operation, and stage handoffs.

• Develop Kalman, interacting multiple model, and nonlinear filters that fuse radar, EO/IR, and inertial data into latency-compensated aimpoint estimates.

• Build line-of-sight stabilization and jitter-rejection methods, including inertial stabilization, feedforward, and adaptive or notch filtering for structural modes.

• Allocate pointing error budgets across jitter, bias, latency, and atmospheric effects, then validate precision performance against dynamic targets in field tests.

• Model plants and identify system dynamics for gimbals, mirrors, and structures, using simulation and hardware-in-the-loop validation.

• Analyze stability and robustness under disturbances and parameter variation, and integrate controls with tracking, engagement sequencing, and safety logic.

• Deploy control algorithms to embedded targets, collaborate on kilohertz-rate loops, and compare field test results with simulation predictions.

• Provide technical review across controls and sensor integration, and mentor engineers through hands-on technical leadership.

What We're Looking For

• At least 10 years of experience closing loops on precision pointing, tracking, or stabilization hardware, with PhD-level depth in control theory and estimation.

• Proficiency in robust control, including H-infinity, mu-synthesis, and LQG, plus optimal estimation such as Kalman variants, IMM, and nonlinear observers.

• Experience shipping C or C++ control loops on embedded or RTOS targets, and working with MATLAB/Simulink and Python.

• Background in sensor fusion, multi-rate and sampled-data design, real-time hardware-in-the-loop validation, system identification, and structural dynamics.

• Ability to serve as the controls technical anchor on a small team. Directed-energy or high-energy laser experience and an active security clearance, or ability to obtain one, are advantages.

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary range: $250,000 to $315,000 annually. Equity and visa sponsorship details were not provided.

Location

On-site in San Francisco, United States.