Intern - Controls Engineer

About this role

Human Computer Lab, a robotics startup building expressive consumer robots, seeks a controls engineer intern to design and tune the motion systems that make their robot LeLamp responsive and lifelike. You'll work across the full mechatronic stack—from motor control and sensor integration to high-level behaviors—collaborating closely with founders to translate engineering into emotionally intuitive movement.

What you'll do

• Design and tune control systems for actuators, including feedback loops and dynamic response
• Integrate actuators, sensors, encoders, and embedded electronics into mechatronic assemblies
• Develop control algorithms in C++ or Python and deploy them on hardware
• Build URDF models and simulation environments matching the physical platform
• Diagnose and resolve real-world control issues like instability, latency, and sensor noise
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and animation teams on actuator selection and motion refinement

What they're looking for

• C++ and/or Python programming
• Control systems design and tuning
• ROS or ROS2
• Hardware debugging (oscilloscopes, signal tracing)
• CAD tools (SolidWorks or Onshape)
• Actuators, motor drivers, encoders, and IMU experience
• URDF modeling and simulation (Gazebo, MuJoCo, Isaac Sim)
• Hands-on robotic hardware experience