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Robotics Controls Engineer

Terranova

Berkeley, CAFull-time$100–180K/yrPosted 7mo agoChecked 1w ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$100–180K/yr
Location
Berkeley, CA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Bachelor's degree

Job overview

Terranova is hiring a Robotics Controls Engineer. Terranova seeks a robot controls and machine learning specialist to develop adaptive, intelligent algorithms for its large‑scale robotic systems, designing and tuning controllers, building dynamic models, and integrating perception and sensor data while thriving in an early‑stage startup environment.

Key focus areas include Develop and tune controllers for dynamic nonlinear systems, Build and validate physical models for simulation and hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing, and Train and deploy machine learning models for perception planning or adaptive control.

Successful candidates bring Bachelor's Degree In Computer Science Or Related Field and U.S. Permanent Residency. Important skills include Develop Controllers, Tune Controllers, PID, Optimal Control, Robust Control, and Build Physical Models. Preferred (not required): MPC, Reinforcement Learning, Python, and C++.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Develop ControllersTune ControllersPIDMPCOptimal ControlRobust ControlBuild Physical ModelsValidate Physical ModelsTrain ML ModelsDeploy ML ModelsPerceptionPlanningAdaptive ControlSupervised LearningReinforcement LearningIntegrate Algorithms With FirmwareIntegrate Algorithms With Cloud TeamsProfile PerformanceOptimize PerformanceVerify PerformancePythonC++PyTorchJAXOSQPCasADiEKFUKFFactor GraphsSystem IDPPOSACSafety ShieldsROS2ONNXTensorRTLatency ProfilingJitter ProfilingPCB DesignEmbedded Systems Design

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or Related FieldU.S. Permanent ResidencyWorked on Large Complex Robotic SystemsMaker BackgroundComing From a Startup Environment

Full job description

Company Description

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 and sea-level rise.

Our mission is to preserve the built environment, create new habitats, and usher in an era of abundance. Our work supports climate resilience, disaster recovery, and defense across the United States and beyond.

We’re assembling a world-class team that wants to work on something real, physical, and civilization-scale. If you want your work to reshape the world (literally), this is the place to do it.

What to to Expect

We’re seeking a robot controls and machine learning specialist to develop algorithms that give our robotic systems adaptive, intelligent behavior. You’ll design and tune controllers, build dynamic models, and integrate them with perception and sensor data. This is a chance to bridge classical control with modern machine learning to shape how machines move through the Earth.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and tune controllers (PID, MPC, optimal/robust control) for dynamic, nonlinear systems.

  • Build and validate physical models for simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and autonomy.

  • Train and deploy ML models for perception, planning, or adaptive control (supervised or RL).

  • Integrate algorithms with firmware and cloud teams, ensuring real-time safety and stability.

  • Profile, optimize, and verify performance under latency, jitter, and compute constraints

  • Comfortable with the pace and intensity of early-stage startup life, including long days, 6-day workweeks, and extended field hours

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science or related field

  • U.S. permanent residency required

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Python/C++ with PyTorch/JAX

  • MPC/OSQP/CasADi

  • EKF/UKF/factor graphs

  • System ID, RL (PPO/SAC) with safety shields

  • ROS2, ONNX/TensorRT

  • Latency and jitter profiling

  • PCB and embedded systems design skills are a huge bonus

Ideal Archetype

  • Have worked on large complex robotic systems - various sensors, multiple motors/robots, reinforcement learning based on robot data

  • Maker background - love building stuff, work is fun to you

  • Coming from a startup environment - high ownership, fast paced environment

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.