Robotics / AI Motor Control Scientist

Department: Science

Location: New York City

Employment Type: FullTime

Job Description

We are seeking a Robot Motor Control Scientist to develop cutting-edge machine learning algorithms for motor control systems in humanoid robots. In this role, you will focus on creating and optimizing intelligent motor control strategies to enable robots to perform complex, whole-body tasks. Your contributions will be essential in advancing robotics by enabling fluid, reliable, and safe interactions between robots and their environments. We anticipate that candidates for this role will have experience applying machine learning or AI techniques to control systems, robotics, or related areas.

A portfolio of academic research or industry projects demonstrating work on robotic motor control or reinforcement learning applications is expected when applying to this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop controllers that leverage reinforcement learning, imitation learning, or other advanced AI techniques to achieve natural, robust, and adaptive motor behaviors.

• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to integrate motor control systems with robotic hardware, ensuring alignment with real-world constraints such as actuator dynamics and energy efficiency.

• Use simulation and real-world testing to refine and validate control algorithms.

• Stay updated on advancements in robotics, AI, and control systems to apply cutting-edge techniques to robotic motion challenges.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Education/Background: Ph.D. in Computer Science, Robotics, Computational Neuroscience, or a related field – or relevant industry research experience (e.g. Master’s degree and 3+ years working in an industry research environment).

• Technical Expertise:

  • Strong understanding of kinematics and motion planning for humanoid characters / robots.

  • Experience with reinforcement learning, imitation learning, or other AI techniques applied to robotic motor control.

  • Experience with physics-based simulation tools.

  • Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++.

Nice-to-have Skills

• Experience integrating perception systems (e.g., vision and touch sensors) into motor control pipelines.

• Familiarity with hardware constraints and actuator dynamics for humanoid robots.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work on groundbreaking robotics technology, enabling the next generation of humanoid robots to interact dynamically with their environments.

• A collaborative and innovative environment that fosters creativity and exploration.

• Equity ownership in the company

• Health Benefits (Medical, Dental, and Vision)

Compensation

$100k - $200k/yr, plus equity