Advanced Robotics Controls Engineer, Frontier AI & Robotics

Amazon • San Francisco, CA

1d

About The Position

We are seeking a highly skilled Mechatronics or Controls Engineer with deep
expertise in actuation systems, low-level motor control, sensor integration and
system characterization to help design, prototype, and refine high
degree-of-freedom systems. You will be a core contributor in the
hardware–software integration loop, ensuring that our systems meet strict
performance, safety, and research requirements. This role demands a blend of
rigorous engineering skill, hands-on prototyping ability, and close
collaboration with AI researchers and software engineers.

Requirements

• Master’s or PhD in Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field
• Strong background in actuator and control system design, including characterization and integration
• Proficiency in embedded firmware development for real-time control
• Experience in robotic system calibration and system identification
• Strong grasp of control theory, dynamics, and kinematics of robotic systems
• Experience with sensor integration (encoders, force–torque sensors, tactile, MUs)
• Proven ability to work hands-on in a fast-moving, multidisciplinary team
• Experience in automating, deploying, and supporting large-scale infrastructure
• Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust
• Experience with Linux/Unix
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines build processes

Nice To Haves

• Experience with high-DOF robotic systems.
• Experience developing inverse kinematics (IK) solvers, kinematic calibration, and running motion simulations (e.g. MuJoCo, IsaacSim, MATLAB/Simulink).
• Ability to spec or design force/torque sensors, or develop algorithms for estimating forces from motor currents for compliance and collision handling.
• Ability to implement and tune inverse kinematics and dynamics algorithms; build and run simulations for system performance validation and motion planning
• Specify, source, or design force–torque sensing capabilities, including developing algorithms for estimating forces from motor currents. Integrate sensing into system-level control strategies for collision response, compliance, and back-drivability
• Knowledge of estimating and improving actuator back-drivability
• Knowledge of ROS/ROS 2 or similar robotic middleware.
• Experience with programming languages like C++, Python, MATLAB
• Experience with high-performance, safety-critical mechatronic systems.
• Experience with distributed systems at scale

Responsibilities

• Own motor & actuator selection, characterization, and integration into electromechanical subsystems to meet system-level performance specifications
• Design and tune low-level control systems, including position, velocity, torque, and impedance control loops
• Interface control systems with higher-level AI and motion-planning platforms, ensuring reliable, low-latency communication and robust operation
• Maintain and update motor control board hardware and firmware, including environments for executing control loops, reading encoders, and managing outputs
• Develop and execute SysID routines for electromechanical subsystems; design calibration procedures for sensors, actuators, and kinematic chains to ensure precision and repeatability
• Ensure actuator and control systems meet safety, robustness, and maintainability requirements for advanced robotic system operation
• Work hands-on with mechanical, electrical, and AI teams to rapidly prototype and iterate on hardware solutions

Benefits

• health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage)
• 401(k) matching
• paid time off
• parental leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree