Job Details

Controls Engineer (Autonomous Vehicle Team)

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Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics and electric mobility with the goal to save lives and augment human labor.

Our mission is to create an autonomous, crewless ATV built to be truly all-terrain. Designed for commercial and defense use, it can save lives and take on heavy transport across mining, agriculture, construction, and more.

We are looking for extraordinary engineers and scientists. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite – it's your talent and determination that truly count.

We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement control algorithms for propulsion, steering, and braking subsystems (e.g., torque vectoring, traction, stability, and speed control).
• Model, simulate, and tune vehicle dynamic and actuation systems in MATLAB/Simulink or similar tools.
• Collaborate with the Embedded Engineer to integrate and tune control algorithms on ECUs and vehicle test platforms.
• Define control strategies and performance requirements for drive‑by‑wire propulsion, steering, and braking systems, working closely with EE and Embedded engineers on implementation.
• Design and execute test plans for controls validation (HiL/SiL, bench, and on‑vehicle).
• Collaborate with perception and planning engineers to define control interfaces and ensure smooth command execution.
• Support architecture definition for control system software stack and real‑time communication.
• Work with Mechanical and Electrical teams to specify sensor and actuator performance requirements (e.g., encoders, IMUs, steering actuators) critical to control performance.

What Kind of Person We Are Looking For

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Controls, or Robotics Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in vehicle or robotic controls—preferably in electric, autonomous, or off‑road systems.
• Strong foundation in control theory (PID, state‑space, observers, MPC).
• Hands‑on experience implementing and tuning controls on embedded platforms (C/C++, MATLAB/Simulink, Python).
• Familiarity with CAN bus systems, ECUs, and actuator control (motor, steering, brake, etc.).
• Experience with modeling vehicle dynamics and performing system identification.
• Comfort working across hardware and software boundaries in fast‑moving prototype environments.
• Bonus: exposure to autonomy or motion planning integration, and/or experience with safety‑critical systems (ISO 26262, DO‑178C, etc.).

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Location

Redwood City, CA

Salary Range

$95,000 - $155,000