Expression of Interest: Senior Controls & Robotics Engineer (Exoskeletons)

United States
Type: Full time
Register Interest

Sentient Shield is currently accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for this role to build our talent pipeline for upcoming defense contract phases. We are not actively hiring for an immediate start but welcome qualified candidates to submit their credentials for future consideration.

About Sentient Shield

Sentient Shield was born from a singular goal: to ensure that those who go into harm's way return home stronger. By combining Humanics-focused engineering with next-generation material science, we are empowering the modern soldier to move faster, stay longer, and survive the unsurvivable.

Job Overview

We are seeking a Senior Controls & Robotics Engineer to design, implement, and optimize the algorithmic intelligence powering our soft exoskeleton systems. You will lead the development of real-time control loops, intent-detection algorithms, and adaptive assistance strategies. Your software will process sensor data in milliseconds to ensure the exoskeleton moves in perfect harmony with the user's natural gait.

Key Responsibilities

  • Control Algorithm Development: Design and implement real-time closed-loop control strategies (e.g., impedance control, admittance control, force control) for soft actuation systems.

  • Human Intent Detection: Develop machine learning models or deterministic algorithms to predict human movement using IMU, EMG, and strain gauge data.

  • Embedded Software: Write highly optimized, deterministic C/C++ code for embedded microcontrollers and real-time operating systems (RTOS).

  • System Simulation: Build dynamic simulations of the robot-human system in MATLAB/Simulink or ROS to test control stability prior to hardware deployment.

  • On-Site Field Testing: Deploy, tune, and debug control algorithms on live hardware during field trials at military bases and rugged environments.

  • Safety Architecture: Design fail-safe mechanisms, error-handling routines, and power-limiting algorithms to guarantee user safety at all times.

Required Qualifications

  • Citizenship & Compliance: Must be a U.S. citizen or a national of a NATO alliance country.

  • Regulatory Compliance: Must meet all criteria to maintain compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

  • Education: Master’s or Ph.D. in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Mechanical Engineering with a control systems focus.

  • Experience: Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in robotics control, ideally with wearable systems, bipedal robots, or active prosthetics.

  • Software Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in C/C++ and MATLAB/Simulink.

  • Frameworks: Strong hands-on experience with ROS/ROS2 and embedded architectures (ARM Cortex, STM32).

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sentient Shield is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by applicable laws and regulations.

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