Controls Engineer - Actuation

Apptronik
Austin
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeFunction: Software EngineeringEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Cross-functional collaboration","Quantitative validation"]

Own actuator models and actuator-level closed-loop control for simulation and real hardware. Develop high-fidelity actuator simulations, run hardware test campaigns, and apply system identification to extract physical models that improve controller design. Quantitatively validate sim-to-real fidelity, build Python/C++ tooling for experiments and tuning, and partner with Controls, Firmware, and Simulation teams to close actuator-layer gaps during hardware bring-up and deployment.

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FursaFursa
Apptronik
Apptronik
18 hours ago

Controls Engineer - Actuation

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Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 1 hour agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Own actuator models and actuator-level closed-loop control for simulation and real hardware. Develop high-fidelity actuator simulations, run hardware test campaigns, and apply system identification to extract physical models that improve controller design. Quantitatively validate sim-to-real fidelity, build Python/C++ tooling for experiments and tuning, and partner with Controls, Firmware, and Simulation teams to close actuator-layer gaps during hardware bring-up and deployment.
Location: Austin
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Software Engineering
Seniority: Mid level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Develop and maintain high-fidelity actuator models in simulation capturing friction, compliance, thermal behavior, and torque/current limits.
  • •Design, tune, and deploy actuator-level closed-loop control for reliable joint behavior on hardware.
  • •Run hardware test campaigns to characterize actuator behavior and extract parameters that keep models and controllers accurate.
  • •Apply system identification to build trustworthy physical models from experimental data and use them to inform controller design and gain selection.
  • •Build Python/C++ tooling for experiment automation, model extraction, controller tuning, and simulator integration; support bring-up and deployment by translating validated models and controllers to real robot configurations.

Key Requirements

  • •BS in Robotics, ME, EE, CS, or related field plus 4 years of relevant experience; or MS plus 2 years; or PhD in a related field.
  • •Strong C++ experience, including comfort extending a simulator or physics-engine codebase.
  • •Deep grounding in motor electromechanics and classical control, including closed-loop torque/current control and frequency-domain analysis.
  • •Hands-on actuator or servo control on real hardware, including designing, tuning, and validating low-level controllers informed by system identification.
  • •Proficiency in Python for test automation/data analysis and a track record shipping maintainable code using Git in an R&D environment.
Experience:RoboticsHumanoid roboticsLegged robotics
Education:Bachelor's in Robotics, ME, EE, CS, or related field
Skills:Cross-functional collaborationQuantitative validation
Languages:En
Tech Stack:C++PythonGitMuJoCoIsaac SimIsaac Sim/LabBraxDockerGPUCloudBode plotsSystem identification

Company Brief

Apptronik
Develops advanced general-purpose robots and robotic limbs for industrial and commercial applications, combining hardware, actuators, and control software to enable versatile, human-scale robot solutions.
Industry: Robotics
Company Size: Medium (51 to 250 employees)
Growth: Growth Stage Startup
Funding: Series A
Headquarters: Austin, United States
Founded: 2018
WebsiteLinkedIn