Senior Controls Engineer – Robotics & Automation

Knightscope, Inc; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, dental, vision

401(k)

On-site HQ Sunnyvale

Job summary

Knightscope, Inc. in Sunnyvale, CA is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to advance motion planning and control for autonomous robotic platforms. You will design, implement, and test algorithms enabling safe navigation in real-world environments, collaborating with perception and systems teams.

The role combines hands-on testing with algorithm development in a fast-paced startup-like setting, requiring strong expertise in control theory, MPC/LQR, and robotics hardware integration.

Qualifications

• PhD or MS in controls, robotics, optimization, or related field; BS may be considered with strong experience.
• 5+ years in robotics or autonomous systems.
• Experience developing control systems for robotic platforms.
• Strong knowledge of MPC, LQR, PID, and trajectory tracking.
• Proficient in C++ and Python; MATLAB/Simulink experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain motion planning algorithms including trajectory generation.
• Design and implement vehicle and robot control systems (PID, MPC, LQR).
• Implement state estimation using Kalman filters.
• Tune and validate mid-level and low-level controllers on hardware.
• Collaborate with perception and systems teams for integration.
• Participate in field testing and debugging.

Skills

Control theory

Robotics

Path planning

Trajectory tracking

Kalman filtering

C++

Python

Matlab/Simulink

Vehicle dynamics

Team collaboration

Education

PhD or MS in Controls/Robotics

BS with strong industry experience

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

C++

Python

CAN/Ethernet

Git

Job description

AboutKnightscope

Knightscope (NASDAQ: KSCP) is a security technology company building the nation's first Autonomous Security Force - autonomous machines, AI-driven software, and elite security professionals operating as one integrated managed service. The Company is on a mission to make the United States of America the safest country in the world. One Team. One Force.

Location: Knightscope HQ, Sunnyvale, CA (This position is not remote)

Job Summary:

Knightscope is seeking a motivated Senior Controls Engineer to support the development of motion planning and control systems for autonomous robotic platforms. This role involves designing, implementing, and testing algorithms that enable robots to safely and reliably navigate real-world environments.

The ideal candidate is excited to work in a fast-paced startup environment and enjoys both algorithm development and hands‑on testing on robotic systems. This position will collaborate closely with perception, localization, and systems teams to develop robust navigation and vehicle control solutions.

About the Role

In this role, you will contribute to the development of planning and control algorithms for Knightscope's autonomous robots. Engineers will work across multiple layers of the autonomy stack including path planning, trajectory generation, vehicle control, and system integration.

This role requires flexibility to contribute across planning, mid-level controls, and vehicle control systems, as well as participation in robot integration and real‑world testing.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain robot motion planning algorithms including trajectory generation, collision avoidance, and path planning
• Design and implement control algorithms for robotic and vehicle systems (PID control, Model Predictive Control (MPC), Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR), trajectory tracking controllers)
• Implement and maintain state estimation methods such as Kalman Filters / Extended Kalman Filters
• Develop and tune mid-level and low-level vehicle control systems including steering, speed, and trajectory tracking
• Work closely with perception, localization, and systems teams to integrate planning and control modules
• Support development of navigation behaviors for autonomous robots operating in real environments
• Analyze system logs and telemetry data to evaluate and improve performance
• Participate in robot integration, debugging, and field testing
• Develop internal tools for testing, validation, and performance analysis
• Contribute to rapid prototyping and iterative development in a startup environment

Required Qualifications

• PHD. or M.S. in Controls, Robotics, Optimization, Path Planning, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field. B.S. with strong industry experience may be considered
• 5+ years of full-time industry experience in robotics, autonomous systems, automotive, aerospace, or related engineering fields
• Experience developing control systems for robotic or autonomous platforms
• Strong understanding of control theory, dynamic systems, and vehicle/robot dynamics
• Experience implementing control algorithms such as PID, Model Predictive Control (MPC), Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR), and trajectory tracking controllers
• Experience with state estimation techniques (Kalman Filters / Extended Kalman Filters)
• Experience with robot motion planning including trajectory generation, collision avoidance, and path planning
• Programming experience in C++ and/or Python, Matlab/Simulink
• Experience with communication protocols and data interfaces for robotic or vehicle systems (e.g., CAN, Ethernet) and associated logging or instrumentation tools
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) and collaborative software development workflows
• Experience working with robot hardware, sensors, and embedded systems
• Ability to work in a hands‑on robotics development and testing environment

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $180,000 to $210,000 (DOE)
• Equity: Stock options
• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off
• Location Requirement: Full-time, on‑site at Sunnyvale HQ