Software Engineer - Controls
Zoox
Software Engineering
Foster City, CA, USA
Posted on Sep 19, 2025
Zoox is looking for a controls engineer to join our Planning and Control team. The controls team is responsible for our vehicle’s longitudinal and lateral dynamics. You will also work closely with other teams within the company, such as the Trajectory Planner team, to define suitable interfaces for the controls tasks. We are looking for a software engineer with technical expertise in control of complex dynamic systems.
In this role, you will:
- Architect and implement control strategies for our vehicle’s longitudinal and lateral dynamics
- Define specifications and test suites to tune parameters and compare the performance of different controllers
- Work with validation team to define and execute tests for developed controllers
- Contribute to failure and hazard analyses and implement safety mitigations in the control software
- Work with the firmware team to ensure robust, safety-critical controller implementations in the hardened real-time embedded systems
- Work with the simulation team to integrate controllers in the simulation environment for development and validation
Qualifications
- BS or MS degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field, and 2+ years of relevant experience
- Strong programming skills in C / C++
- Strong background in controls (PID, LQR, MPC, etc.) and filter design (FIR, IIR, etc.) for complex dynamic systems
- Understanding of vehicle dynamics and automotive sensors and actuators
- Extensive experience with programming and algorithm design as well as strong mathematical and geometrical skills
Bonus Qualifications
- PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- Excellent leadership, project management, and organizational skills
- Experience implementing a control system in a real-world product
About Zoox
Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.
Accommodations
If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to accommodations@zoox.com or your assigned recruiter.
A Final Note:
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.