Senior Robotics Controls Engineer | Software Engineer
Palo Alto, CA (on-site)
About 1X
We build humanoid robots that work alongside people to solve labor shortages and create abundance.
The Role
As a Senior Robotics Controls Engineer, you will develop the real-time software stack that enables our humanoid robots to move, balance, and manipulate the world with precision and reliability. Your work will span low-level motor control through whole-body dynamic control and estimation, making complex, high-DOF hardware accessible through clean and efficient software abstractions. This role is pivotal in bridging hardware and AI layers, and your contributions will be critical as we transition from R&D to large-scale production.
You Will
Develop control algorithms for balancing, locomotion, and manipulation in humanoid robots
Design fast and efficient state estimation systems
Perform system identification and calibration of actuators, transmissions, and full-body kinematics
Integrate and evaluate hardware components, including sensors and actuators
Build tools for hardware bring-up, debugging, and robot diagnostics
Develop software for health monitoring, visualization, and logging
Build and maintain APIs for higher-level systems to command the robot
Requirements
Must Have
3+ years of experience deploying and debugging control or estimation software on high-DOF robots
Strong understanding of rigid body dynamics, linear algebra, and numerical optimization
Experience with optimization-based whole-body control, EKF-based state estimation, or model predictive control for legged systems
Proficiency in C++ within a Linux development environment
Familiarity with modern software development practices, source control, and testing
Nice to Have
Experience with Java, Unity/C#, Python, real-time Linux, ROS2, or DDS
Background in writing embedded C for sensors or actuators
Familiarity with the Yocto OS build system
Hands-on experience building or working with robotics hardware independently
Benefits & Compensation
Salary Range: $137,861 – $240,000 + Equity
Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) with company match
Paid time off and holidays
Equal Opportunity Employer
1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.