Robotics Engineering Intern - Fall 2026

About the role

As a Robotics Engineering Intern or Co-op at Niantic Spatial, you will work directly at the intersection of learning-based systems and physical hardware. You will work hands-on with physical hardware, push robots toward fully autonomous operation across locomotion, navigation, and control, and iterate rapidly based on real-world feedback.

Responsibilities

• Robot Learning Systems — Design, implement, and deploy learning-based systems on physical robotic hardware, working across locomotion, navigation, and control to push robots toward full autonomy.
• Sim-to-Real Deployment — Work across simulation environments (Isaac Sim, MuJoCo) and physical platforms, closing the sim-to-real gap and validating system behavior under real-world conditions.
• Hardware Iteration — Debug hardware, perform sensor calibration, and fix edge cases under real deployment conditions.
• Approach Evaluation — Evaluate and weigh tradeoffs between classical robotics and learning-based methods, choosing the right tool for each problem and contributing to technical decision-making on the team.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in (or a recent graduate of) a BS, MS, or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong proficiency in Python and modern deep learning frameworks (PyTorch or JAX).
• Hands-on experience with simulation environments (Isaac Sim, MuJoCo) and physical robotic hardware.
• Ability to work on-site full-time in San Francisco, CA for the duration of the program.

Preferred Skills

• Can take a robotics system from 0 to 1 and iterate quickly based on real-world feedback.
• Comfortable working with hardware — sensor calibration, hardware debugging, and fixing edge cases under tight deadlines.
• Ability to weigh trade-offs between classical robotics and learning-based approaches.
• High intellectual curiosity and a focus on pushing systems beyond existing baselines.
• Passionate about robotics and love what you do because you will be doing a lot of it.

Program Details

• Term — 12 to 16 weeks, full-time commitment.
• Location — 100% on-site in San Francisco, CA. Relocation or housing stipends are not included in this fall program.
• Role Type — Open to undergraduate, masters, and PhD students, as well as co-op program participants.