Robotics Controls and Testing Engineer

As 1X scales from research and development into manufacturing and large-scale deployment, we are looking for a Control and Testing Engineer to join our robotics team. This role focuses on validating and improving the control systems that drive our humanoid robots, ensuring they perform safely, reliably, and consistently in real-world environments.

You will work at the intersection of software, hardware, and systems integration, helping bridge the gap between core controls development and full-scale deployment. This is a hands-on position where you will design, build, and execute testing frameworks that verify control algorithms, evaluate hardware performance, and validate system-level behavior.

Why this job is exciting

• You’ll be among the first engineers to validate how new hardware and control systems perform in practice, directly influencing design improvements and refinements.

• With over 30 humanoids operating daily in-house, you’ll have access to a unique testing environment where ideas can be rapidly prototyped, deployed, and iterated.

• The testing systems and methodologies you build will help scale our robots from dozens to thousands, supporting deployment in diverse and complex real-world environments.

• You’ll collaborate with a wide range of teams—hardware, firmware, AI, production, and platforms—gaining a deep understanding of the entire humanoid robotics stack.

• This role allows you to shape not only how robots are controlled, but also how their safety, reliability, and long-term performance are guaranteed.

Team Responsibilities

• Develop and execute test plans for robot control algorithms, hardware integration, and system performance.

• Design and maintain hardware-in-the-loop and simulation-based testing setups.

• Support system identification, calibration, and validation of actuators, sensors, and transmissions.

• Build tools for logging, visualization, monitoring, and debugging robot control performance.

• Ensure smooth integration of controls with hardware and higher-level software components.

• Document test processes, results, and best practices to ensure scalability and repeatability.

Must-Haves

• Master’s degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related industrial experince.

• Solid foundation in rigid body dynamics, linear algebra, and control theory.

• Basic programming skills in C++ or Python.

• Comfortable working in a Linux development environment.

• Exposure to modern software development practices (version control, testing, documentation).

Qualities we’re looking for

• Excellent engineering skills and practices.

• Curiosity and strong intuition for how controls impact robot behavior.

• A desire to be hands-on with hardware as well as software.

• Willingness to take ownership of projects as you grow.

• Perseverance, attention to detail, and a collaborative mindset.

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience with real-time Linux.

• Embedded programming experience (C for microcontrollers, sensor/actuator interfacing).

• Experience in building, running, and documenting hardware test setups.

• Experience with robotics projects outside of coursework (e.g., competitions, personal projects, tinkering).