Sign up to access all features of our service.
  • Job search
  • Favorites
  • Create a CV
    New
  • Salaries
  • Subscriptions

Controls Engineer

$100k - $200k

Rainfall Ventures

About This Role

Our robots operate in real production environments where control reliability isn't optional - it's the difference between a deployed system and a demo. As a Senior Controls Engineer, you'll work directly on the low-level control and motion systems that make our bimanual wheeled robots safe, precise, and production-ready. This is not a paper-reading internship. You'll ship code that runs on real hardware, debug edge cases that only surface on the factory floor, and see the direct impact of your work on deployed robot performance.

What You'll Do
  • Design and implement real-time supervisory control systems for smooth handoff between autonomous and teleoperated modes, including trajectory blending and forward-consistent motion during transitions.
  • Improve inverse kinematics solvers for multi-arm manipulation - resolving singularities, boundary failures, and ensuring robust solutions across the full reachable workspace.
  • Develop sensor fusion pipelines (IMU, odometry, vision) for precise mobile base localization and orientation control under tight angular tolerances.
  • Integrate new actuators for bimanual arm systems - including motor driver communication, torque/position/velocity control mode configuration, gain tuning, and safety limit implementation.
Required Qualifications
  • Strong fundamentals in classical control theory (PID, impedance/admittance control, state estimation) with hands-on experience implementing controllers on physical hardware.
  • Proficiency in Python and C/C++ for real-time embedded or robotic applications.
  • Hands-on experience with inverse kinematics solvers and simulation environments (PyBullet, MuJoCo, Drake, or similar), including practical familiarity with IK libraries or custom Jacobian-based implementations.
  • Experience with rigid-body kinematics, coordinate frame transformations (homogeneous transforms, SE(3), quaternion representations)
  • Experience with sensor fusion techniques (Kalman filtering, complementary filters) using IMU, encoders, or similar proprioceptive sensors.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior experience with ROS/ROS2, CAN bus communication, or motor control interfaces.
  • Familiarity with trajectory smoothing and interpolation methods (spline-based planning, Ruckig, or similar time-optimal trajectory libraries).
  • Experience with wheeled or mobile robot platforms, including human in the loop data collection framework.
Benefits
  • Medical, dental & vision plans ($0 payroll deduction)
  • Daily meals stipend.
Interview Process
  • Phone screen + 2 virtual technical interviews + onsite
Expected Compensation
  • $100,000 - $200,000 annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits
  • The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.

This is a full-time, five-day-a-week onsite role in our San Francisco, CA, office.

#J-18808-Ljbffr
Vacancy posted 6 hours ago
Similar jobs that could be interesting for youBased on the Controls Engineer in San Francisco, CA vacancy
  •  ...foundation for a new generation of robots designed for everyday environments. What to expect We're looking for a controls/mechatronics engineer who wants to own the systems that make LeLamp move, respond, and feel alive. You'll work at the intersection of... 
    Suggested

    Human Computer Lab

    San Francisco, CA
    1 day ago
  •  ...Controls Engineer As a Controls Engineer, you will design and implement the algorithms that make PI's robots behave predictably, smoothly, and safely under varied and uncertain conditions. The Team The Controls team builds and tunes the core feedback and model... 
    Suggested

    Physical Intelligence

    San Francisco, CA
    3 days ago
  •  ...industry's best investors, we move fast and build full-stack systems that matter. About the role We're looking for a Controls Engineer to own motion from command to actuator. You'll design and tune the control loops that let our machines do sub-millimeter precision... 
    Suggested
    Immediate start

    Gradient Robotics

    San Francisco, CA
    5 days ago
  •  ...Controls Engineer In this role, your main focus will be to ship embedded control algorithms for various ECUs that operate the powertrain and other systems of the robot. Additionally, you will rigorously test the robot's performance at various levels (simulation, component... 
    Suggested

    DoorDash - San Francisco, CA, US

    San Francisco, CA
    4 days ago
  •  ...Senior Controls Engineer An innovative automation company has engaged us to find a Senior Controls Engineer to help build the next generation of intelligent warehouse automation systems. In this hands-on individual contributor role, you'll take ownership of the controls... 
    Suggested
    Immediate start
    Relocation
    Flexible hours

    Samson Rose

    San Francisco, CA
    3 days ago
  •  ...Controls Engineer At Watney, Controls Engineers build the algorithmic foundations that make robots move. Your work will directly unlock a new class of robot capabilities with a uniquely high bar across precision, stability, and compliance while operating in unstructured... 

    Watney Robotics Inc

    San Francisco, CA
    1 day ago
  • $119k - $161k

     ...transport. Our systems are designed to understand, predict, and control the real world with precision, turning complex physical...  ...improve them until they work at scale. We are roboticists, engineers, operators, and builders. We believe the next great technology... 
    Full time
    Internship
    Work at office
    Flexible hours

    ATOMS Careers page

    San Francisco, CA
    3 days ago
  • $117.8k - $176.8k

     ...transformational projects that will benefit future generations. Grow with us, H2O+U. Stantec is currently seeking an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer for any one of our California state office locations – San Francisco, Irvine or Sacramento. Successful applicant will work... 
    Full time
    Contract work
    Temporary work
    Part time
    For contractors
    Casual work
    Work at office
    Local area
    Flexible hours

    Stantec

    San Francisco, CA
    3 days ago
  • $160k - $252.5k

     ...months rather than years using proprietary energy architecture engineered entirely in-house. The company is profitable, the market it...  ...from static, hardware-heavy infrastructure to dynamic, software-controlled ecosystems. We are proving that a sustainable, 100% renewable... 
    Full time
    Shift work

    Redwood Materials

    San Francisco, CA
    5 days ago
  • $154k - $266k

     ...manufacturing jobs for generations to come, you’re exactly who we’re looking for. The Role We are hiring a generalist Automation Controls Engineer to join Hadrian's Special Projects team, standing up customer production lines that span custom tooling, robotic cells, and... 
    Permanent employment
    Full time
    Local area
    Relocation package
    Flexible hours

    Socket

    San Francisco, CA
    6 hours ago
  •  ...Lambda, The Superintelligence Cloud, seeks a controls-engineering professional to design and commission mechanical controls for data centers. You will lead sequences of operation, sensor selection, and BMS integration, collaborating with mechanical, electrical, network... 

    Socket

    San Francisco, CA
    6 hours ago
  • $140k

     ...Senior Controls Engineer Location: United States, Onsite We are a fast growing organisation in the space sector developing advanced test and production systems that support the build and qualification of high performance spacecraft hardware. We are looking for... 
    Permanent employment
    San Francisco, CA
    more than 2 months ago
  •  ...Robot Controls And Machine Learning Specialist Backed by leading climate and American dynamism investors, Terranova builds intelligent robotic systems to terraform the Earth itself - lifting land, restoring wetlands, and protecting critical infrastructure from floods... 
    Permanent employment

    Terranova

    Berkeley, CA
    1 day ago
  •  ...the impossible at record breaking speeds. About the Flight Controls Team Our Flight Controls team is at the heart of Zipline's product...  ...is degraded Present key results and changes to the broader engineering team What You'll Bring Your applied math skills stand... 
    Full time
    Internship
    Work at office
    Local area

    Zipline

    San Francisco, CA
    12 days ago
  •  ...Job Description Job Description As a Controls Engineer PLC Programming, you will be participating in the research, development and deployment of AI enabled robot cells for material handling and logistics applications. You will collaborate with Operations, Software,... 
    Full time
    H1b
    Work at office
    Immediate start
    Flexible hours

    OSARO

    San Francisco, CA
    7 days ago
  •  ...As anInstrumentation & Controls Engineer,you will be a technical leader in the design and optimization of instrumentation & controls systems for Fervo’s innovative power plants. Fervo is working to build the most cost-effective, repeatable geothermal power plants in... 
    For contractors
    Work at office
    Local area
    Immediate start
    Remote work

    Fervo Energy

    Oakland, CA
    1 day ago
  • Zendar Inc. in Berkeley is hiring a Software Engineer to own components from algorithm design through real-time C++ implementation, simulation...  ...for someone with strong software fundamentals, robotics or controls grounding, and a passion for moving code into a real vehicle.... 

    Zendar Inc.

    Berkeley, CA
    2 days ago
  • Zendar in Berkeley, CA is hiring a Software Engineer to join the Vehicle Motion Planning & Control team. You will own components from algorithm design through real-time C++ implementation, simulation, tuning, and on-vehicle validation. The role demands strong software... 

    Zendar

    Berkeley, CA
    4 days ago
  • $205k - $220k

     ...AI experience requirements vary by role and will be assessed during the interview process. About the Role: As the IT Controls Engineer you will own, evolve, and scale IT General Controls (ITGCs) across Gusto's enterprise application ecosystem including NetSuite... 
    Full time
    Work at office
    Local area
    Remote work
    Shift work
    2 days per week
    3 days per week

    gusto

    San Francisco, CA
    3 days ago
  • $180k - $230k

     ...delivery systems that move critical goods where they are needed. The Controls team develops the models, tools, and flight software...  ...missions autonomously across changing conditions. As a Staff Controls Engineer, you will own system-performance analysis for vehicle designs... 
    Local area

    Zipline

    San Francisco, CA
    12 days ago
  • $170k - $220k

     ...Job Description Job Description Senior Robotics Controls Engineer Company: Atoms Location: San Francisco, CA (in office 5 days per week; up to 15% travel to mining sites) Compensation: $170,000 - $220,000 + competitive equity Employment Type: Full-time... 
    Full time
    H1b
    Work at office
    Remote work
    Visa sponsorship

    Transparent Search Group

    San Francisco, CA
    6 days ago
  • $165k

     ...Senior Instrumentation and Controls Test Engineer Location: United States, Onsite Compensation: 130,000 to 165,000 USD per year, plus benefits and equity Supports testing of propulsion, avionics and spacecraft systems Darwin Space are partnered with an... 
    Permanent employment
    San Francisco, CA
    more than 2 months ago
  •  ...innovative AI and machine vision company transforming quality control in manufacturing environments. Their solutions are deployed on...  ...controls infrastructure. Overview: The Field Applications Engineer plays a critical role in deploying, integrating, and supporting... 
    Full time

    TRC Talent Solutions

    San Francisco, CA
    20 days ago
  •  ...Job Description Job Description Project Controls Manager AGS has an IMMEDIATE opening for a Project Controls Manager with 10+...  ...Requirements: ~ Bachelor’s degree and licensure in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, and/or similar preferred... 
    Hourly pay
    Full time
    For contractors
    Immediate start
    Flexible hours

    AGS Inc.

    San Francisco, CA
    a month ago
  • $117.3k - $195.5k

     ...What You Can Expect As our Controls Engineer, Advisor – Power Systems, you will work closely with external EPCs to manage deliverables and ensure project alignment. You will also implement and maintain workflows to track and manage SCADA architecture and device configuration... 
    Minimum wage
    Full time
    Temporary work
    Work at office
    Local area
    Work visa
    3 days per week
    San Francisco, CA
    more than 2 months ago
  •  ...Our team is a quickly growing group of committed researchers, engineers, policy experts, and business leaders working together to build...  ...About the Role Anthropic is seeking an experienced Datacenter Controls Engineer to join our Datacenter Infrastructure team. In this... 
    Full time

    Anthropic

    San Francisco, CA
    7 days ago
  •  ...week, you’ll take ownership of the full lifecycle of industrial control panel design. Your mornings might start in EPLAN refining...  ...resistance, and functional tests. Collaboration with mechanical engineering on enclosures, thermal management, and seamless system... 
    Day shift

    Technical Talent Group

    Berkeley, CA
    14 days ago
  • $115k - $130k

     ...Description Job Description We're ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—...  ...to grow. Location : Berkeley, CA We are hiring a Senior Control Panel Designer to impact development and validation of our groundbreaking... 
    For contractors

    ALTEN Technology USA

    Berkeley, CA
    27 days ago
  • Halmar International is seeking an Office Engineer to provide project management and administrative support for a major bridge seismic retrofit project. You will assist with project documentation, subcontractor coordination, cost tracking, scheduling support, and technical... 
    For subcontractor
    Work at office

    Halmar International

    Sausalito, CA
    2 days ago
  •  ...Associate Electrical Engineer As an Associate Electrical Engineer, you will have the opportunity to apply your technical knowledge of building services systems across a portfolio of ground-breaking projects in the US and globally. Strong communication skills and teamwork... 
    Work at office

    MDA Edge

    San Francisco, CA
    2 days ago

Do you want to receive more vacancies?

Subscribe and receive similar vacancies to Controls Engineer. Be the first to apply!