Robotics and Controls Engineer

The Company

We are hiring for a high-growth medical technology startup building a platform that allows surgeons to perform microsurgery with dexterity beyond human capability. Their mission is to expand global access to high-quality eye care and achieve superior patient outcomes through autonomous and semi-autonomous robotic assistance.

The Role

You would be the architect of the robot’s movement and safety. You won’t just be simulating; you will be responsible for the mission-critical algorithms that translate high-level surgical intent into precise, real-world hardware motion. This role sits at the intersection of kinematics, nonlinear optimization, and real-time software execution.

What You Will Actually Do

* Master the Workspace: Design and implement collision-aware trajectory generation to ensure the robot maneuvers safely around the patient and surgical environment.

* Refine Precision: Develop and verify control algorithms (Impedance, Admittance, Teleoperation) specifically tuned for the delicate constraints of eye surgery.

* Bridge Theory and Hardware: Deploy your algorithms directly onto physical robotic arms, moving from high-level math to real-time execution.

* Ensure Reliability: Author production-grade C++, conduct rigorous unit testing, and document code to meet the high standards required for life-critical medical devices.

* Collaborate: Work side-by-side with AI researchers, mechanical engineers, and clinicians to iterate on system accuracy and workflow.

The Tech Stack

* Languages: Modern C++ (C++11/14/17 is a must), Python (for prototyping/scripting).

* Frameworks: ROS2, Simulation environments (Gazebo, MuJoCo, or proprietary).

* Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Rigid Body Dynamics, Kinematic Chains.

* Control/Optimization: Constrained Nonlinear Optimization, Kalman Filtering, Task Space Control.

The Ideal Profile

* Academic Foundation: Master’s or Ph.D. in Robotics, ME, EE, or Computer Science.

* Proven Track Record: 3+ years of experience (or 1+ with a PhD) developing robotic software that has actually run on physical hardware.

* Problem Solver: You have a deep understanding of rigid body dynamics and can solve complex nonlinear problems with mathematical elegance.

* Software Rigor: You treat "unit testing" and "documentation" as core parts of the engineering process, not afterthoughts.

* Adaptability: You thrive in a fast-paced startup environment and enjoy the "hands-on" nature of working in a lab or workshop.

The Offer

* Base Pay: between $125k and $165K + 10% + Equity

* Location: Los Angeles, CA

* Impact: You will be a foundational member of a team building a "first-of-its-kind" system that will literally save people's sight.