Robotics Engineer - Vehicle Controls (Autonomous Construction Vehicles)

Terabase Energy•Davis, CA

5h•$130,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Robotics Engineer with a strong focus on vehicle control systems to support the development and deployment of autonomous and semi-autonomous construction vehicles operating in real job-site environments. This role emphasizes motion control, drive-by-wire integration, and safe, predictable vehicle behavior rather than pure perception or research-only work. It is well suited for engineers with 0–5 years of experience who want hands-on responsibility developing, tuning, testing, and validating motion-control systems on real machines.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
0–5 years of relevant experience (industry, research, internships, or significant project work)
Strong programming skills in C++ and/or Python
Solid foundation in control systems: Feedback control (PID, MPC, etc.) Stability, tuning, and system response
Practical understanding of vehicle behavior: Steering response, traction, braking
Experience working in Linux development environments
Comfortable working hands-on with physical vehicles and hardware
Strong debugging and problem-solving skills

Nice To Haves

Experience with ROS or ROS 2, especially control-oriented components
Familiarity with drive-by-wire (DBW) systems or actuator interfaces
Experience with vehicle communication protocols (CAN, J1939, serial)
Experience with hydraulic systems: Hydraulic steering, braking, or actuation Understanding of valves, pumps, pressure control, or hydraulic response characteristics Parker controllers and IQAN programming
Exposure to: Trajectory tracking and speed control State machines and mode management
Experience tuning controllers on real hardware (not simulation-only)
Familiarity with simulation tools (Gazebo, Ignition, NVIDIA Isaac) for control validation
Experience working in safety-conscious or industrial environments

Responsibilities

Develop, integrate, and tune vehicle control systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous operation
Develop algorithms for trajectory following and maneuver control, ensuring stable and predictable vehicle behavior across varying terrain and operating conditions
Implement and maintain: Longitudinal control (throttle, braking) Lateral control (steering) Maneuver execution and mode management via state machines
Translate high-level motion commands (speed, curvature, trajectories, maneuvers) into actuator-level commands
Interface with drive-by-wire (DBW) systems and vehicle ECUs
Implement and tune feedback controllers (PID, MPC and related techniques) under real-world constraints
Work with ROS 2 control nodes, interfaces, and launch configurations
Support vehicle bring-up, calibration, and onsite field testing
Diagnose and mitigate issues related to latency, actuator saturation, backlash, slip, and terrain variability
Implement safety mechanisms: Interlocks, watchdogs, emergency-stop behavior Fault detection and safe-state transitions
Collect, analyze, and document vehicle performance data and test results