Develop and deploy robotics control software for motion, coordination, compliance, command transitions, and recovery. Build production C++ controllers, analyze hardware experiments, debug sensing and actuation issues, and validate integrated robot workflows. Collaborate with planning, platform, teleoperation, hardware, and testing teams to deliver reliable behavior on deployed physical robots.
Why RoboForce
RoboForce is an AI robotics company developing Physical AI–powered Robo-Labor for dull, dirty, and dangerous work. The company’s robots are engineered for demanding industrial environments, with a focus on real-world deployment and scalability.
We are looking for a Senior / Staff Robotics Controls Engineer to turn operator and planner intent into predictable physical behavior. You will develop and deploy control software for motion and interaction, with opportunities across Cartesian control, coordinated motion and compliance.
This role is close to the hardware. You will work through real sensing, actuation, timing and contact challenges, measure what the robot actually does, and collaborate with software and hardware engineers to deliver useful behavior beyond a demonstration.
Responsibilities
- Motion Control: Design, implement and tune controllers for joint, Cartesian or coordinated robot motion according to task and hardware needs.
- Coordination & Constraints: Integrate control with kinematics, dynamics, task priorities and practical actuator or workspace limits.
- Compliance & Physical Interaction: Develop appropriate interaction behavior for tasks that require impedance, admittance, force or other compliance methods.
- Command Transitions & Recovery: Implement controller behavior for command-source changes, mode transitions, stale inputs, stopping and recovery under agreed system contracts.
- Production Implementation: Build maintainable C++ control software with attention to timing, concurrency, resource use and diagnostic evidence.
- Hardware Experimentation: Design experiments and analyze data to investigate tracking, oscillation, saturation, friction, sensing and model mismatch.
- Validation & Integration: Work with planning, platform, teleoperation and test engineers to validate complete workflows and maintain controller regression coverage.
Requirements
- Education: BS, MS or PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Physical Deployment: Experience implementing and debugging feedback controllers on manipulators, mobile robots or comparable physical motion systems.
- Control Foundations: Strong understanding of feedback control, kinematics, dynamics, stability and model uncertainty.
- Control Depth: Substantial experience in one or more of Cartesian control, whole-body coordination, impedance/admittance, force control or related methods.
- Software Engineering: Strong C++ skills and practical Python experience for analysis, experimentation and tooling.
- Hardware Debugging: Ability to connect observed behavior to sensing, actuation, timing, software and model assumptions.
- Ownership: Ability to take a control workstream from formulation and implementation through measured hardware validation.
- Requires 5 days/week in-office collaboration with the teams.
Bonus Qualifications
- Experience with whole-body optimization, task prioritization or mobile manipulation.
- Experience with contact-rich tasks, force sensing or compliant manipulation.
- Experience with ROS 2 or comparable robotics middleware.
- Experience with real-time software, control performance analysis or constrained computing platforms.
- Experience maintaining controller behavior on deployed robots beyond initial demonstrations.
Benefits
- Competitive stock options/equity programs.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plan.
- Visa sponsorship and green card support for qualified candidates.
- Lunches and dinners, a fully stocked kitchen, and regular team-building events.
Compensation: Salary $190,000–$265,000 USD + Bonus + Equity
The base salary range above represents the expected compensation for this full-time U.S. position. Final compensation will be determined based on role scope, level, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training, and may fall outside the listed range in exceptional cases.
RoboForce Milpitas, California, USA Office
Milpitas, California , United States, 95035
Similar Jobs
Hardware • Healthtech • Robotics • Manufacturing
Design, implement, and verify robotic control algorithms for a catheter-based surgical platform. Develop kinematic/dynamic models, motion planning, state estimation, and safety-aware control. Characterize hardware, run verification and validation, support regulatory submissions, mentor engineers, and drive architecture across hardware programs from prototype to product.
Top Skills:
C++14/17/20Ct ImagingDrakeElectromagnetic TrackingEncodersFluoroscopyForce SensorsIec 60601Iec 62304ImusIsaac SimIso 14971Kalman Filter (Ekf/Ukf)Motor ControllersMpcMujocoParticle FiltersPythonQnxReal-Time LinuxRos1Ros2Ultrasound
Cloud • eCommerce • Information Technology • Professional Services • Software
Manage and grow an installed customer base through renewals, upsells, cross-sells, and expansion opportunities. Analyze customer usage and contract data to identify whitespace, maintain accurate CRM and forecast records, negotiate renewals, and partner with Customer Success, Support, Professional Services, SDRs, and Solution Consultants. Advise clients on EDI and B2B integration best practices while using AI tools for account analysis, prioritization, outreach, conversation intelligence, and forecasting.
Top Skills:
Ai ToolsB2B IntegrationCleo Integration CloudCRMEdi
Fintech • Software
Build and grow strategic technology and software partnerships that generate pipeline and revenue. Identify and activate partners, develop joint go-to-market strategies, drive co-selling and referrals, establish executive relationships, coordinate with sales and technical teams, lead partner enablement and marketing programs, and manage partner performance, pipeline, business reviews, and integration adoption.
Top Skills:
APIsArtificial IntelligenceAudit And Compliance SoftwareCloud PlatformsData PlatformsEnterprise SoftwareErpFinancial Close And Reporting SoftwareSaaSSoftware IntegrationsWorkflow Platforms
What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene
San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area attracts more startup funding than any other region in the world. Home to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, leading VC firms and several of the world’s most valuable companies, the Bay Area is the place to go for anyone looking to make it big in the tech industry. That said, San Francisco has a lot to offer beyond technology thanks to a thriving art and music scene, excellent food and a short drive to several of the country’s most beautiful recreational areas.
Key Facts About San Francisco Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
- Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
- Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
