Why this role stands out
This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of robotics by developing cutting-edge whole-body control systems for advanced robots, with a hybrid work model providing flexibility. You'll thrive here if you're a mid-to-senior level engineer passionate about implementing complex control algorithms and contributing to groundbreaking advancements in data collection for foundational models. Apply to join a reputable company at the forefront of the robotics revolution.
Quick overview
Job description
At XDOF, we're at an inflection point. Frontier labs are racing to build general-purpose robots, and high-quality training data is the bottleneck. We're building the foundation behind the foundation models — the data collection systems, operational capability, exabyte-scale data warehouse, and software toolchain — to help our partners drive the field forward.
Great data starts with great hardware behavior. We're looking for a Robotics Controls Engineer to build the high-performance control systems that make our dexterous manipulators and humanoid robots move safely, precisely, and repeatably — because every teleoperation session, every collection run, and every downstream model depends on robots that respond exactly as commanded.
What You'll Do
Controls engineers are the bridge between robot hardware and reliable, high-quality motion. Sample projects include:
implementing joint-space and Cartesian impedance / torque control for 7+ DoF robotic arms
building whole-body control (WBC) for highly redundant humanoids with mobile bases, arms, and actuated torsos
designing optimization-based controllers: QP formulations, inverse dynamics, task/null-space control, and redundancy resolution
developing collision-aware motion and control, including self-collision avoidance and environment constraints
implementing and integrating real-time control software on physical robots, from simulation through hardware deployment
tuning and validating controller performance across diverse manipulation and locomotion tasks
working closely with data collection operators and hardware teams to diagnose and resolve control-related failure modes during teleoperation and autonomous runs
About You
Baseline skills:
bachelor's or master's degree (or equivalent experience) in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field
strong fundamentals in robot dynamics, kinematics, and feedback control
hands-on experience implementing controllers on real robotic systems, not just in simulation
strong C++ and/or Python, and comfort working with real-time robotics systems
You might be a good fit if you:
have experience with whole-body control, operational-space control, MPC, or optimization-based control
come from a background in humanoid robotics, manipulation, legged robotics, or advanced industrial robot control
have worked on real-time embedded control software and understand the constraints of deploying to physical hardware
are very comfortable working in 0→1 environments
are mission-driven and passionate about robotics: work at XDOF is fast-paced and constant. We hope you love what you're going to be doing, because you'll be doing a lot of it!
Haystack's AI agent can fill in and submit this application for you. How AI auto apply works
Similar jobs
- AP

Staff Software Engineer – WebRecently posted Auto Apply
A Place For Mom · Remote-US · Remote · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
MongoDBNext.jsGit+11TechnologySalary not listed - AU

Senior Software Engineer - Agent TeamRecently posted Auto Apply
Automox · Remote - US · Remote · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
DynamoDBPHPRust+12Technology$140k - $190k/yr - EN

Member of Technical Staff, Admin ExperiencesRecently posted Auto Apply
Envoy · San Francisco · On-site · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
RubyGitHTML+17Salary not listed - QD
Software Engineer – Test EquipmentRecently posted Auto Apply
Quest Defense Systems & Solutions, Inc. · Tucson · Hybrid · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
GitTCP/IPC#+8Technology$100k - $140k/yr - QD
Secure Embedded Software EngineerRecently posted Auto Apply
Quest Defense Systems & Solutions, Inc. · Cedar Rapids · Hybrid · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
RustEmbedded SystemsFPGA+4Technology$130k - $145k/yr - QD
Secure Embedded Software EngineerRecently posted Auto Apply
Quest Defense Systems & Solutions, Inc. · Fort Wayne · Hybrid · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
RustEmbedded SystemsFPGA+4Technology$130k - $145k/yr - ME

Forward Deployed Engineer III (6706)Recently posted Auto Apply
MetroStar · Herndon · Hybrid · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
SAFeAgileEngineering$187k - $225k/yr - ME

Forward Deployed Engineer III (6706)Recently posted Auto Apply
MetroStar · Tysons Corner · Hybrid · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
SAFeAgileEngineering$187k - $225k/yr - ME

Forward Deployed Engineer III (6706)Recently posted Auto Apply
MetroStar · Reston · Hybrid · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
SAFeAgileEngineering$187k - $225k/yr - ME

Forward Deployed Engineer III (6706)Recently posted Auto Apply
MetroStar · Washington · Hybrid · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
SAFeAgileEngineering$187k - $225k/yr - AT

Staff Software Engineer - Vehicle & Hardware SecurityRecently posted Auto Apply
Atoms · San Francisco · Hybrid · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
Embedded SystemsRoboticsIoTTechnology$224k - $284k/yr - AT

Senior Software Engineer - Infrastructure Security PlatformRecently posted Auto Apply
Atoms · Seattle · Hybrid · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
DockerRoboticsCompliance+4Technology$167k - $230k/yr
