Principal Robotic Control Systems Engineer

Principal Robotic Control Systems Engineer

Final date to receive applications: 7 July 2026

Department: Software Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Compensation: $180,000 - $235,000 / year

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi‑purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world‑class team.

Astrolab is seeking an experienced Principal Robotic Conntrol Systems Engineer to support development of control systems for extra‑terrestrial rovers such as in‑house motor controller development, vehicle mobility system control, robotic arm control, and high gain communication antenna pointing control. Control system development will include initial simulation and design of vehicle control systems, control system performance analysis, gain tuning, and supporting software and integrated hardware/software development and testing.

• Define control system requirements from vehicle and subsystem level functional and performance requirements
• Lead design, analysis, development, tuning, verification, and validation of vehicle control systems
• Build system simulations for controller design and analysis in appropriate tools (e.g. Matlab, Simulink, Python) and mature simulations as additional test data becomes available
• Design and prototype appropriate controllers that meet the defined requirements using simulations and control system design tools (e.g. Matlab control system toolbox)
• Support sizing and selection of integrated robotic control system components (sensors and actuators) such as motion sensors, cameras, motor encoders, motors, and similar
• Support (and potentially lead) development of integrated hardware/software control system testbeds and testing of prototype controllers using these testbeds
• Analyze and tune controller performance, stability, and robustness using the system simulations, testbeds, and test data
• Develop control system documentation and work with vehicle software team to convert controller prototypes into flight code, including supporting unit and integrated testing of flight implementations
• Work with vehicle software team, avionics team, integration and test team to verify flight control system implementation and performance
• Support integrated vehicle guidance, navigation, and control system simulation and performance analysis
• Support calibration of integrated hardware/robotic control systems (e.g. robotic arm calibration)

• 15+ years of robotic control system development from initial concept through flight operations
• Significant experience building, testing, and validating control system simulation and analysis tools
• Significant experience analyzing and tuning performance of robotic control systems
• 10+ years experience designing, developing, testing, analyzing, and tuning robotic control systems for extra‑terrestrial rovers, such as mobility system control, robotic arm control, and similar.
• Specific experience developing motor controller control loops and robotic arm control is required.
• Experience designing, building, and utilizing testbeds for testing control systems on flight‑like hardware and experience devising and executing test plans
• Experience with cross‑team coordination to bring control system designs from concept to flight operations
• Experience mentoring and directing junior control systems engineers
• Strong proficiency with Matlab/Simulink and Matlab control systems toolbox or equivalent control system design and analysis software
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills

• Join a team of best‑in‑class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
• Equity ownership in the company
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Flexible PTO and parental leave
• Home office set up reimbursement
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on‑site
• Once a month social hour on‑site with food and drinks