Robotics Intern

About the Role

This intern will participate as a team member of the robotics firmware team, contributing to the bring-up of firmware components including hardware drivers, communication protocols, and controls functions that allow the robot to communicate, actuate, estimate, and meet the product specifications required for launch of the product.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and tuning of motion control components for multi-axis robotic systems, including actuator control, trajectory generation, and path execution.
• Implement and test control loops for position, velocity, torque, and force control, and compare real-world behavior against model-based predictions.
• Contribute to state estimation work, including sensor fusion and Kalman filter–based estimators, in both simulation and on hardware.
• Work with distributed communication interfaces (e.g. CAN, NATS, ROS2) to move data between controllers, sensors, and actuators.
• Support motor and sensor bring-up, including calibration, diagnostics, and characterization of encoders, IMUs, and BLDC/stepper/servo drives.
• Iterate between simulation and hardware testing to reproduce corner cases, debug issues, and improve robustness.
• Write clear, maintainable C++ and Python for both real-time and high-level control software.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Physics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Coursework or project experience in control theory, kinematics, dynamics, or system modeling for electromechanical systems.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and/or Python for embedded and/or high-level control software.
• Exposure to motor control (BLDC, stepper, servo) and sensor integration (e.g. encoders, IMUs, cameras) through coursework, labs, projects, or competition teams.
• Comfortable working in Linux-based development environments and with Git version control workflows.
• A bias toward simple, elegant, robust solutions over unnecessary control system complexity.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to debug complex electromechanical systems at both the hardware and software level, often with limited telemetry.
• Demonstrated interest in approaching challenges with a physics-based, first-principles mindset.

Nice To Have

• Experience with real-time operating systems (e.g. FreeRTOS, RT Linux, Zephyr) or bare-metal embedded firmware.
• Familiarity with CAN, pub/sub communication frameworks (e.g. NATS, ROS2), or distributed control architectures.
• Hands-on experience implementing state estimation or control algorithms such as PID, trajectory generation, Kalman filtering, or localization.
• Familiarity with physics-based simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing, or CI/CD for robotics.
• Exposure to safety-critical system design standards (e.g. ISO 13849, IEC 61508).
• Experience with lab and embedded debugging tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG, or SWD.
• Prior internship, research lab, or competition experience (e.g. FIRST Robotics, FSAE, RoboMaster) building and debugging hardware systems.

Location

This role requires on-site presence at our Brisbane, CA headquarters.

Compensation

The Pay Range For This Role Is $40-60 USD per year.