Robotics Controls Engineer

Title: Robotics Controls Engineer — Senior & Staff

Location: San Francisco, CA (On-site, 5 days/week) About the RoleOur client is looking for hands-on Robotics Controls Engineers to build and optimize control systems for autonomous heavy-duty vehicles operating in challenging mining environments.

You'll work on real-world robotics systems, solving complex problems across vehicle control, localization, navigation, and state estimation.What You'll DoDesign and tune control algorithms, including MPC and PID.Develop localization, path-following, and lateral/longitudinal control systems.Build state-estimation and sensor-fusion pipelines using GPS/RTK, IMU, and related technologies.Test and debug control systems on real autonomous vehicles.Collaborate across robotics, perception, planning, and hardware teams.Support field deployments and testing at customer sites, with travel of up to 15%.Senior Robotics Controls EngineerOwn the implementation, tuning, and deployment of control subsystems.Troubleshoot vehicle-level control issues and improve production performance.Bring strong hands-on experience with autonomous vehicle controls or as assigned.Staff Robotics Controls EngineerLead control-system architecture and complex technical problem-solving.Drive system-level reliability, optimization, and cross-functional technical decisions.Mentor engineers while remaining hands-on with production systems or as assigned.Must-Have QualificationsHands-on experience with ROS and Linux.Strong Python and C++ programming skills.Experience deploying controls, localization, navigation, or path-following systems on real autonomous vehicles.Practical knowledge of MPC or comparable control algorithms, state estimation, and sensor fusion.Relevant engineering degree in Robotics, Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.Willingness to work on-site in San Francisco five days per week.Preferred ExperienceAutonomous mining, heavy machinery, or autonomous haul trucks.Experience with heavy mining equipment manufacturer or autonomous vehicle manufacturer, or similar organizations.Advanced expertise in controls, robotics, or autonomous vehicle systems.