At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of cutting-edge control software for humanoid robots.
- Company: Join Humanoid, a pioneer in robotics aiming to amplify human potential.
- Benefits: Enjoy 23 days off, private healthcare, equity, and a pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in robotics while collaborating with top-tier engineers.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in robotics control software and expertise in C++ and Python.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That's why we've set out on a mission to build the world's most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We're bringing that mission to life with HMND 01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we're growing the team to take it even further.
About The Role
We're hiring a Staff Controls Software Engineer to join our Controls team based in London. We are seeking an experienced Staff Controls Software Engineer to lead the development, integration, and maintenance of our production-grade control software for humanoid robotic systems. This role sits at the intersection of controls and software engineering - focused on turning advanced control strategies into robust, maintainable, and validated production systems. You'll be responsible for ensuring that the control stack powering our robots is deterministic, safe, tested, and deployable at scale. You bring both deep robotics control experience (10 years in robotic system development) and strong software engineering discipline - designing architectures that perform reliably in real-time environments.
What You'll Do
- Design and maintain modular, real-time control architectures supporting locomotion, manipulation, and teleoperation.
- Implement high-performance control loops and middleware interfaces for deterministic, safe operation.
- Industrialize algorithms, ensuring production readiness, maintainability, and performance.
- Establish clear software boundaries and interfaces between motion planning, control, and hardware layers.
- Translate research prototypes into scalable, maintainable, and testable control software.
- Apply modern software development practices (CI/CD, code reviews, testing frameworks, documentation).
- Define reliability, latency, and safety metrics and enforce them throughout the control stack.
- Lead the integration of real-time control software on embedded or Linux-based systems, ensuring consistent behavior across hardware targets.
- Develop automated testing frameworks (simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, regression, and performance testing).
- Drive release and version management of the control stack, ensuring stability across branches and deployments.
- Conduct profiling, benchmarking, and performance validation on robotic hardware.
- Define release protocols to ensure reproducibility and verifiable system behavior.
- Implement software-based fail-safes, watchdogs, and redundancy mechanisms for safety-critical control paths.
- Work closely with hardware and safety teams to ensure fault detection, graceful degradation, and safe state transitions.
- Lead by example through hands on coding, code reviews, and system level debugging.
- Mentor engineers on control software best practices, testing methodologies, and performance optimization.
- Contribute to the long term control software roadmap, guiding architecture evolution and quality standards.
What We're Looking For
- B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Robotics, Control, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience developing robotics control software for real time systems.
- Proven expertise in C++ (modern standards) and Python for software implementation, testing, and automation.
- Strong background in control theory, robot kinematics & dynamics, and real time control systems.
- Experience in deploying and validating control software both in simulation and on physical robotic platforms.
- Solid understanding of software architecture, version control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing.
- Excellent debugging, profiling, and system performance optimization skills.
- Track record of shipping production quality robotics software, not research prototypes.
- Proven experience managing software lifecycle, including release management and cross team integration.
Nice to have:
- Experience with ROS2, real time Linux, or RTOS environments.
- Familiarity with relevant tools and libraries like Eigen, Pinocchio, Placo, PyTorch, MuJoCo, etc.
- Familiarity with safety critical systems, redundancy, and failover mechanisms.
- Background in whole body control, actuator coordination, or real time trajectory execution.
- Experience in Joint/Cartesian Impedance and force control.
- Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence architecture decisions and engineering culture.
- Experience in learning based control methods (e.g. RL, imitation learning).
What We Offer
- Meaningful time off to rest and recharge: 23 days of annual leave (accrued), 15 days of paid sick leave, and paid company holidays.
- Fully funded private healthcare for UK employees, with broad provider access, virtual and in person care, and strong mental health and serious illness support.
- Equity included - we believe builders should share in what they build.
- Pension scheme with a total 8% contribution (5% employee, 3% employer) on full earnings.
- Free daily breakfast, catered lunch, and snacks in office.
- Collaboration with top tier engineers, researchers, and product experts in AI and robotics.
- Freedom to influence the product and own key initiatives.
Staff Controls Software Engineer employer: Groupe-Ebra-1
At Humanoid, we are committed to fostering a dynamic and innovative work environment where our employees can thrive. As a Staff Controls Software Engineer in London, you will collaborate with leading experts in AI and robotics, enjoy generous benefits such as fully funded private healthcare and equity sharing, and have ample opportunities for professional growth and mentorship. Our culture prioritises meaningful contributions, ensuring that every team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of humanoid robotics.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Controls Software Engineer
✨Dive into Robotics Meetups
Get yourself out there and connect with others in the robotics-automation field by attending local meetups and industry events. These gatherings are where the magic happens, and you might just rub shoulders with someone from Groupe-Ebra-1 or get insider tips on upcoming vacancies.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Create a portfolio that highlights your robotics projects, whether they're personal, academic, or freelance. Share this on platforms like GitHub or your personal website, as it shows potential employers, like Groupe-Ebra-1, what you're made of and your hands-on experience in the field.
✨Utilise University Resources
If you're fresh out of university or still connected, don't underestimate your career services. They often have exclusive access to job fairs and employer networking events in technical fields like ours, so make sure you tap into those resources to discover openings at companies like Groupe-Ebra-1.
✨Engage in Online Communities
Join online communities that focus on robotics and automation, such as forums or LinkedIn groups. Engage in conversations, ask questions, and share insights. This not only builds your visibility but could also lead to direct connections at firms like Groupe-Ebra-1, which might have the full-time role you're after.
We think you need these skills to ace Staff Controls Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the robotics and automation field, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills on your CV. Include specific programming languages, software platforms, and any relevant robotics experience. Don’t forget to mention any projects or systems you've developed – this info can really make you stand out!
Portfolio Perfection:Having a polished portfolio can speak volumes for a role in robotics. Include any relevant case studies, designs, or prototypes you've worked on. If you've participated in competitions or hackathons, showcase these achievements as well – they show initiative and problem-solving skills!
Tailored Cover Letter Magic:In your cover letter, don’t just tell us that you love robotics—tell us why you’re passionate about automation specifically! Explain how your skills can contribute to Groupe-Ebra-1’s projects and remember to connect your past experiences to what you'll be doing in this role.
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, such as in robotic process automation or machine learning, make sure they’re front and centre on your CV. These credentials show you're dedicated to your field and keep you up to date with industry standards – we love to see that!
How to prepare for a job interview at Groupe-Ebra-1
✨Showcase Your Technical Wizardry
For a role in robotics and automation at Groupe-Ebra-1, it's crucial to demonstrate your technical skills. Be prepared to dive into specifics about the programming languages and tools you’ve used, like Python or ROS (Robot Operating System). Brush up on your knowledge of algorithms and control systems, as these might come up during technical questions.
✨Bring Your Projects to Life
With a full-time position in robotics, you should have a portfolio of your projects ready to show. Whether it's a robot you built for a competition or a simple automation script, make sure you can discuss the challenges you faced and how you solved them. This hands-on experience is gold and shows you can apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.
✨Think Like an Engineer
Expect some problem-solving scenarios during your interview. You might be asked to design a basic automation solution on the spot or troubleshoot a robotic system. Practising these types of technical questions can really set you apart, as they require critical thinking and a systematic approach to tackle problems.
✨Culture Fit Is Key!
Don’t underestimate the importance of cultural fit at Groupe-Ebra-1. They might ask about your teamwork experience and how you handle challenges with peers. Be ready to share examples of working in diverse teams, as collaboration is often central to projects in robotics and automation.
