Senior Robotics Controls Engineer
Pronto · San Francisco, CA · Yesterday
On-siteEngineering$176k–$240k/yrFull-time
About the role
We're looking for a Robotics Controls Engineer to develop and maintain the core control systems that enable autonomous haul trucks to operate safely in mining environments. You'll work on localization, path following, longitudinal control, and steering systems that run on 200+ ton vehicles.
Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and tune control algorithms for autonomous vehicle systems
- Build Localization & State Estimation, Longitudinal Control, Lateral and Control Navigation
- Develop state estimation pipelines that fuse multiple sensor modalities
- Analyze system performance through simulation and field testing
- Debug control issues using logged data and identify root causes
- Collaborate with perception, planning, and hardware teams to integrate control systems
- Write production-quality Python code that runs reliably and efficiently
- Travel note: This role requires periodic travel to customer sites (up to 15%)
- Schedule note: Some schedule flexibility may be required during deployments
Requirements
- BS/MS/PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related field required
- 7+ years of professional (non-internship) software development experience
- Strong foundation in classical control theory (PID, lead/lag compensation, stability analysis)
- Experience with state estimation (Kalman filters, EKF/UKF)
- Proficiency in Python and NumPy/SciPy for numerical computing
- Understanding of vehicle dynamics and kinematics
- Ability to read and debug real-time control code
- Experience deploying localization and controls algorithms on real-world systems
- Experience with Model Predictive Control (MPC)
- Familiarity with path following algorithms (Stanley, Pure Pursuit)
- Background in signal processing and filter design
- Knowledge of system identification techniques
- Experience with heavy equipment or off-highway vehicles
- Knowledge of CAN bus and vehicle interfaces
- ROS or similar robotics middleware experience
- Familiarity with modern ML techniques for controls problems
Qualifications
- Technical Environment: Languages - Python (primary), C++ (optimization-critical paths); Libraries - NumPy, SciPy; Hardware - NVIDIA Jetson, GPS/RTK, IMUs, CAN interfaces; Testing - Field testing on haul trucks, log replay, simulation
Skills
- Technical Skills: Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Classical Control Theory, State Estimation, Python, NumPy, SciPy, Vehicle Dynamics, Real-Time Control Code, Localization, Path Following, Longitudinal Control, Lateral Control, Control Navigation, System Identification, Signal Processing, Filter Design, Heavy Equipment, Off-Highway Vehicles, CAN Bus, ROS
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account / Health Savings Account Options
- 401(k)
- Equity
- Sick Time, Unlimited Flexible Time Off, and Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit Plan