Special Projects Intern [Fall 2026]

Figure; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Figure is seeking a Special Projects Intern to develop robot behaviors and software for external events during Fall 2026. You will work with engineers to bring humanoid robots to life on stage and on site, building demonstrations and the code that drives them.

Ideal candidates are graduate students in CS/Robotics, with strong Python skills, hands-on hardware experience, and a passion for AI/ML in robotics. This 10–12 week internship offers exposure to real-world deployments.

Qualifications

• Graduate student in CS/Robotics pursuing Master's or PhD.
• Minimum 10 weeks internship, 1–2 terms preferred.
• Strong software engineering skills with Python.
• Experience applying AI/ML in robotics.
• Hands-on with hardware and ability to iterate under tight timelines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine robot behaviors used in external events, demos, and deployments.
• Write and maintain software that drives robot demonstrations, including behavior sequencing and control logic.
• Test behaviors on hardware, iterate quickly, and debug issues in the lab and on site.
• Support event execution, including setup, rehearsals, and live troubleshooting.
• Collaborate across engineering and operations teams to deliver polished, reliable demonstrations.

Skills

AI in robotics

Hardware experience

Education

Graduate student (Master's or PhD) in CS/Robotics

Tools

Python

Job description

Figure is an AI robotics company developing autonomous general-purpose humanoid robots. The goal of the company is to ship humanoid robots with human level intelligence. Its robots are engineered to perform a variety of tasks in the home and commercial markets. Figure is headquartered in San Jose, CA.
We are looking for a Special Projects Intern to develop robot behaviors and software for external events during Fall 2026. This role works directly with engineers and operations leads to bring humanoid robots to life in high-visibility, real-world settings. You will build and refine the behaviors robots perform on stage and on site, write the software that drives those demonstrations, and help ensure everything runs reliably under pressure. This is a hands-on role for someone who wants to see their code running on real humanoid robots in front of real audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine robot behaviors used in external events, demos, and deployments.
• Write and maintain software that drives robot demonstrations, including behavior sequencing and control logic.
• Test behaviors on hardware, iterate quickly, and debug issues in the lab and on site.
• Support event execution, including setup, rehearsals, and live troubleshooting.
• Collaborate across engineering and operations teams to deliver polished, reliable demonstrations.

Requirements

• Graduate student (Master's or PhD) pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 weeks internship, 1 to 2 terms preferred.
• Strong software engineering skills, with proficiency in Python.
• Experience applying AI or machine learning, ideally in a robotics context.
• Working knowledge of robotics fundamentals, such as control, kinematics, or motion planning.
• Ability to work hands-on with hardware and iterate quickly under tight timelines.

Bonus Qualifications

• Prior experience developing robot behaviors or working with humanoid or legged robots.
• Comfortable working in Linux and debugging on real hardware.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is between $40 - $45/hr.
The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.