Robotics Controls Engineer — Real-Time, Model-Based Systems

physicalintelligence; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Physical Intelligence in San Francisco is seeking a Controls Engineer to design and implement model-based control algorithms for PI’s robotic systems, ensuring predictable, safe behavior in varied environments. You will build and optimize real-time control loops and bring-up arms, mobile bases, teleop systems, and full-body platforms.

Collaborate with researchers, hardware teams, and operators to validate models in simulation and translate them to robust hardware implementations, enabling

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of model-based control algorithms and inverse dynamics
• Ability to validate control approaches in simulation and translate them to real hardware
• Proficiency in Python and C++, including firmware-adjacent development
• Skill in writing and tuning real-time control loops
• Hands‑on capability to debug electromechanical systems end‑to‑end
• Familiarity with embedded communication protocols (CAN, SPI, I2C, Ethernet)
• Clear communication with researchers, hardware teams, and operators
• A structured, collaborative approach to solving complex system issues

Responsibilities

• Design & implement control algorithms: PID, LQR, MPC, inverse dynamics, feedforward controllers.
• Build & validate models for simulation and control design.
• Develop real-time loops, incl. neural-network-driven control.
• Own robotic bring-up: integrate arms, bases, teleop systems, full-body platforms.
• Debug complex system behaviors using first-principles reasoning.
• Build sensor/actuator subsystems with embedded drivers and protocols.
• Partner cross-functionally with researchers, platform engineers, and operators to ensure stable real-world behavior.
• Support R&D by prototyping configurations and collecting structured datasets.

Skills

Control algorithms

Real-time systems

Python

C++

Embedded development

Diagnostics

Tools

CAN protocol

SPI protocol

I2C protocol

Ethernet

Job description

Physical Intelligence in San Francisco is seeking a Controls Engineer to design and implement model-based control algorithms for PI’s robotic systems, ensuring predictable, safe behavior in varied environments. You will build and optimize real-time control loops and bring-up arms, mobile bases, teleop systems, and full-body platforms.

Collaborate with researchers, hardware teams, and operators to validate models in simulation and translate them to robust hardware implementations, enabling