Advanced Robotics Controls Engineer

About the Role: 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 robotic 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.

Beyond day-to-day hardware and software development, this role also provides exciting avenues to contribute to innovative research projects. Whether you’re passionate about low-level control, state estimation, sensor fusion, or innovative actuation techniques, this role offers opportunities to explore research directions while shaping the core control stack that drives high–degree-of-freedom humanoid robots.

Key job responsibilities - Implement and test motor & actuator integration into electromechanical subsystems according to specifications - Support the development and tuning of control systems, including position, velocity, and torque control loops - Assist with interfacing control systems with higher-level platforms - Help maintain motor control board hardware and firmware - Execute established SysID routines for electromechanical subsystems; implement calibration procedures for sensors and actuators - Ensure actuator and control systems adhere to safety and robustness requirements - Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and AI teams to prototype hardware solutions

About the team Frontier AI & Robotics (FAR) is the team at Amazon building the next generation of embodied intelligence. FAR drives the development and implementation of advanced AI models within Amazon’s operations that enable robots to see, reason, and act on the world around them, supporting a number of different warehouse automation tasks. Basic Qualifications: - Experience in automating, deploying, and supporting large-scale infrastructure - Master’s or PhD in Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field - 3+ years of relevant industry experience - Knowledge of actuator and control system implementation - Experience with embedded firmware for control applications - Familiarity with robotic system calibration - Understanding of control theory and kinematics fundamentals - Experience with basic sensor integration (encoders, force-torque sensors) Preferred Qualifications: - Experience with distributed systems at scale - Experience with high-DOF robotic systems. - Experience developing inverse kinematics (IK) solvers, kinematic calibration, and running motion simulations (e.g. MuJoCo, IsaacSim, MATLAB/Simulink). - Experience producing models and simulations of complex, high degree-of-freedom dynamic electromechanical systems and actuators - 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 - Proficiency in embedded firmware development for real-time control - 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.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including 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, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, CA, San Francisco - 148,700.00 - 201,200.00 USD annually