Overview
We are seeking a Senior Embedded Systems & Robotics Control Engineer to architect and lead the full control software stack for the robotic hand and its integration with external systems. You will oversee the development and integration of embedded firmware, control software, and teleoperation systems for American Droid’s robotic hand, collaborating closely with our mechanical and electrical teams to ensure seamless hardware-software integration. Your work will enable high-precision robotic manipulation and haptic teleoperation for public service and military applications. This is not just another robotics startup. It’s about restoring American technical independence — designing and building our own systems, right here in North Carolina, for missions that matter. This is a unique opportunity to join a start-up at the ground level and help build the future of American-made robotic systems.
**This is a full-time position with no remote work options. The work site is in New Bern, NC. U.S. citizens only. Must be eligible for a U.S. Government security clearance and comply with ITAR/EAR export control requirements.**
Key Responsibilities
Embedded Firmware & Circuit Control
Summary: You will develop and integrate firmware and software to control the robotic hand’s hardware. You will manage motor feedback loops, sensor input, and command execution while ensuring safety, energy efficiency, and full-power operation. You will implement embedded software for power and communication boards and create calibration tools to tune motor performance for real-time control.
- You will develop low-level firmware for motor drivers, sensors, and safety management.
- You will implement embedded software for communication and power boards, supporting USB, serial, and CAN communication.
- You will perform bench-level bring-up and debugging of custom PCBs, verifying firmware and electrical performance.
- You will build calibration tools for tuning feedback loops, torque response, and position accuracy.
Control Architecture & ROS 2 Integration
Summary: You will design and implement the foundational ROS 2/C++ software layer controlling the robotic hand. You will enable high-level commands like joint positioning, sensor queries, and motion constraints. You will implement joint-level control nodes, system monitoring, diagnostics, and simulation testing. Your work will provide the technical foundation for future SDK development and integration with external robotic platforms.
- You will design and implement the modular ROS 2 control stack for the robotic hand system.
- You will develop joint-level control nodes, monitoring modules, and diagnostic subsystems.
- You will architect system-level software to interface the robotic hand with external control systems and SDKs.
- You will integrate real-time monitoring, error handling, and state reporting modules for hardware health and performance analytics.
Teleoperation & HaptX Integration
Summary: You will integrate HaptX G1 haptic gloves to enable intuitive teleoperation. You will translate your hand movements into robotic joint commands, refine control algorithms for precision tasks, and transmit sensor feedback from the robot to the gloves. You will validate control and feedback systems in virtual simulations before hardware integration.
- You will integrate HaptX G1 gloves using their C++ API to enable bidirectional motion and haptic feedback.
- You will develop motion control algorithms to map glove movements to robotic hand actuation.
- You will implement low-latency haptic feedback pathways to transmit tactile cues from the robot to the operator.
- You will conduct simulation and virtual testing to validate teleoperation performance prior to hardware trials.
Leadership & Mentorship
Summary: You will guide and support the growth of the engineering team, providing mentorship, training, and cross-functional collaboration to junior and apprentice team members.
- You will lead, mentor, and cross-train junior and apprentice engineers, sharing technical expertise and best practices to strengthen team capability.
Required Qualifications
- You have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
- You have 5+ years of experience developing embedded systems or robotic control software.
- You are an expert in C/C++ for embedded and robotics applications.
- You have strong experience with ROS 2 and real-time control frameworks.
- You understand motor control and sensor feedback integration.
- You have experience with communication protocols.
- You have hands-on skills in bench testing, instrumentation, and debugging custom boards.
Preferred Qualifications
- You have experience with teleoperation, haptic interfaces, or VR/AR integration.
- You are familiar with simulation environments.
- You have prior exposure to DoD or public service robotics systems (medical, defense, or field robotics).
Why Join American Droid
- You’ll be part of something bigger: building a domestic robotics capability for the U.S.
- You’ll be part of the technical team from the start, shaping the company’s first products and engineering culture.
- You’ll have ownership over real systems that will serve national defense and public service missions.
The Mindset We’re Looking For
- Mission Driven. You are dedicated to building American-made robotic solutions that serve our nation and support our communities.
- Independent & Solution Focused: You have ideas and thrive on figuring hard things out.
- Hands-on: You’d rather fix it on the bench than talk about it in a meeting.
- Action-Oriented Visionary: You see how today’s prototype becomes tomorrow’s deployable robot and execute the work to make that vision happen.
Other Information:
As an emerging robotics start-up, we are building from the ground up. Current compensation is limited, and benefits are not yet established — but we’re creating something bigger: a company that designs and builds leading American-made robotic systems for real-world missions. As we grow, compensation and opportunity grow with us.
This is a full-time position with no remote work options. The work site is in New Bern, NC.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
U.S. citizens only. Must be eligible for a U.S. Government security clearance and comply with ITAR/EAR export control requirements.
No calls or agencies please.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Contract
Pay: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Expected hours: 20 – 40 per week
Work Location: In person
