Senior Robotics Controls Engineer

Halodi Robotics; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading robotics company is seeking a Senior Robotics Controls Engineer to design and develop real-time software for humanoid robots. You will engage in algorithm development, hardware integration, and collaborate with diverse teams to create a safe and capable robotic workforce. This role requires hands-on experience with robotics and a passion for innovative technology.

Benefits

Relocation provided

Collaborative team culture

Opportunity for professional growth

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience with high DoF robots.
• Familiarity with optimization-based whole body control.
• Experience with embedded C for interfacing sensors.

Responsibilities

• Develop humanoid controls algorithms for balancing and locomotion.
• Design state estimation algorithms.
• Integrate hardware and perform sensor evaluations.

Skills

Rigid body dynamics

Linear algebra

Numerical optimization

C++ programming

Sensor evaluation

Debugging

Education

Graduate degree in Robotics, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or similar

Tools

ROS2

DDS

Embedded C

Real-time Linux

Yocto OS

Job description

Target start date: Immediately.Relocation provided.

Since its founding in 2015, 1X has been at the forefront of developing advanced humanoid robots designed for household use. Our mission is to create an abundant supply of labor via safe, intelligent humanoids.
We strive for excellence in all we do, solving some of the hardest problems in robotics with the world’s most talented individuals. Every part of our robots is designed and produced in-house—from motor coils to AI—reflecting our vertically integrated approach. At 1X, you’ll own real projects, be recognized for your achievements, and rewarded based on merit.
We believe the best work is done when collaborating and therefore require in-person presence in our office locations.

As we scale from research and development to full-scale manufacturing, we are looking for aSenior Robotics Controls Engineer.The Senior Robotics Controls Engineer role involves developing the real-time software stack that permits our state-of-the-art hardware to efficiently, elegantly and deterministically manipulate and locomote through its environment. This is a very hands-on role on a team which is responsible for everything from low-level motor control to whole-body dynamic control and estimation for loco-manipulation. Our teams goal essentially is to abstract away the complexity of a high DoF series of sensors, actuators, transmissions and links such that our humanoid can be commanded via simple, high-level API’s consumed by our teleoperation and AI engines.

Why this job is exciting

• The controls team is the first user of the hardware so you will play a key role in hardware design and sensor evaluation.

• There are 30+ humanoids operating 24/7 in-house which you can deploy and test your controls software on.

• In time, your software will run on 1000's of humanoids performing tasks in diverse environments, globally.

• You'll be on a team with a large set of responsibilities, requiring interaction with hardware, firmware, AI, platforms and production teams, all working towards building the world’s safest and most capable humanoid robot.

• You’ll be working with a 50+ DoF biped, with hands, all driven by motors we design and manufacture in-house.If this doesn’t excite you then

Controls Team Responsibilities

• Humanoid controls algorithm development for balancing, locomotion and manipulation.

• Designing fast and efficient state estimation algorithms.

• SysID and calibration of actuators, transmissions and full body kinematics.

• Hardware integration and sensor evaluation.

• Tooling for hardware bring-up and debugging.

• Software for robot health monitoring, visualization and logging.

• Building and maintaining API's used by other parts of the software stack to command our robots.

Must-Haves

• Graduate degree in Robotics, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or similar

• 3+ years practical experience deploying and debugging controls + estimation adjacent software on high DoF robots

• Solid understanding of rigid body dynamics, linear algebra and numerical optimization

• Familiarity with optimization-based whole body control, EKF-based state estimators or model predictive control for legged systems

• Proficiency working with large C++ code bases in a Linux development environment

• Familiarity with modern software development practices, source control, and testing methodologies

Qualities we're looking for

• Excellent intuition for how controls software impacts the behavior of the robot
• You enjoy being hands-on with the hardware as much as doing software R&D work.
• Extreme care for how your software impacts the rest of product, eg. tele-operation, production, deployment and servicing in the field
• Perseverance and attention to detail

Nice-To-Haves

• Experience with Java, Unity/C#, Python, real-time Linux, ROS2 and DDS

• Experience writing embedded C for interfacing with sensor or actuators

• Experience with the Yocto OS build system

• You have built your own robot and enjoy tinkering with hardware in your spare time.

We seek the world's most talented individuals with a passion for inventing and building a more prosperous future. At 1X you'll get to own real projects and be rewarded for your achievements and output. We hire, recognize and reward based on merit.

Location Policy

We believe the best work is done when collaborating and therefore require in-person presence in our office locations.

Typical Interview Process

• Introductions - interviews to learn more about you and talk about 1X and the role

  • Interview with a member of the Talent Acquisition team

  • Hiring manager / senior team member / technical interview

• Team interviews - technical interviews and deep-dives with team members. May include a take home challenge, presentation or problem-solving exercise

  • Technical deep-dive conversation with a team member

  • Onsite interviews with team members

• Final Interview Stage - we move you to our final round

  • Expectation management with the hiring manager

  • We will conduct reference checks

  • Job offer conversation

Depending on the role and your background, additional interviews may be added.

You are also welcome to request additional conversations with anyone you would like to meet, but didn’t get to meet during the interview process.

A value driven team

These are the ideas that express our team’s culture and how we work:

Be Nice

Collaboration is our driving force. Our team creates an open, trusting environment where everyone can be their most creative.

Stay Smart

A world-changing team needs the brightest minds in every discipline. This is where people come to work, learn, and grow to their full potential.

Make History

Everything we do gets us closer to one ambitious vision: Creating an Abundant Supply of Labor using Safe, Intelligent Humanoids. We believe what we build today will impact generations.

Not sure if this is you?
If you’re excited about this role, but you’re not sure if you qualify, apply anyway! You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

1X is an inclusive and equal-opportunity employer that values diversity. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected class. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please don't hesitate to let us know during the interview process. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

We're excited to have you on board!