Gait Control Engineer
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Before you apply
LocationAustin, Texas, United States
Typefull-time
SeniorityMid
Experience2+ yrs
DepartmentEngineering
EquityIncluded
Company size4+ people
PostedMar 12, 2026 · 7mo ago
Verified live13h ago
May no longer be actively hiring
Posted by the company on Mar 12, 2026
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
MS or PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
2+ years experience developing control algorithms for wearable robotics, legged robots, powered prosthetics, exoskeletons, or humanoid locomotion
Strong understanding of control systems
Strong understanding of multibody dynamics
Strong understanding of human locomotion
Strong understanding of state estimation
Strong understanding of sensor fusion
Real-time control implementation in C/C++
Algorithm prototyping using Python or MATLAB
Embedded systems development
Processing IMU and force sensor data
Debugging real-time robotic systems
Experience with gait phase detection and intent recognition
Experience with model-based control (e.g., MPC, optimal control)
Experience with Extended Kalman Filters or nonlinear state estimation
Experience with RTOS-based embedded systems
Experience with ARM Cortex microcontrollers
Experience with real-time signal processing
Experience with simulation tools such as MuJoCo, Simulink, or OpenSim
Experience working on production robotics systems or shipping hardware products
Skills
Python
MATLAB
C
C++
IMU
force sensors
encoders
MuJoCo
Simulink
OpenSim
RTOS
ARM Cortex
Extended Kalman Filters
Benefits
Competitive salary
Equity participation
401(k)
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Flexible vacation
Paid holidays
About Shift Robotics
We’re making the world a more walkable place. Through intuitive personal mobility, we make walking faster, more efficient, and more accessible to empower people to choose walking over sitting in traffic. By giving people the ability to Moonwalk, we believe the path forward to a better future is easily reached on your own two feet.
Our flagship product, Moonwalkers, are the world’s fastest robotic shoes, augmenting natural walking with intelligent locomotion assistance. By giving people the ability to Moonwalk, we believe the path toward a more human-scale future can be reached on your own two feet.
We are building the next generation of Moonwalkers and are looking for engineers who thrive in fast-paced environments where hardware, software, and human motion intersect.
We are covered in Wired, CNET, Gizomodo, PCMag and many other tech press.
Role Overview
The Gait Control Engineer will lead the development of locomotion control algorithms for Shift’s robotic footwear platform. This role focuses on designing, implementing, and deploying robust control and estimation algorithms that enable safe, intuitive, and responsive human-machine interaction.
You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, and firmware teams to develop algorithms that run reliably on embedded systems while handling real-world variability in human gait and terrain.
This role requires strong intuition for human locomotion, control systems, and embedded algorithm implementation.
Responsibilities:
Locomotion Control Development
•
Design and implement gait control algorithms for wearable robotic systems.
•
Develop control strategies for walking assistance across different user speeds, terrain conditions, and gait phases.
•
Implement and validate locomotion controllers on embedded hardware.
State Estimation & Sensor Fusion
•
Develop real-time estimation algorithms using IMU, force sensors, encoders, and other onboard sensors.
•
Implement sensor fusion pipelines for gait phase detection, motion estimation, and intent recognition.
•
Ensure algorithms remain robust under noisy real-world conditions.
Algorithm Prototyping & Validation
•
Prototype algorithms in Python or MATLAB before deploying to embedded systems.
•
Evaluate control strategies using simulation tools (e.g., MuJoCo, Simulink, or custom simulation environments).
•
Design experiments and analyze data from real hardware testing.
Embedded Implementation
•
Translate algorithms into efficient C/C++ implementations for real-time embedded systems.
•
Optimize algorithms for low-latency execution on resource-constrained processors.
•
Work with firmware engineers to integrate control algorithms into production software.
System Integration
•
Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers on actuator selection, sensor placement, and system architecture.
•
Ensure control algorithms meet performance, safety, and reliability requirements.
•
Identify system limitations and propose improvements in hardware or software.
Requirements
Education:
•
MS or PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
Experience:
2+ years experience developing control algorithms for:
•
wearable robotics
•
legged robots
•
powered prosthetics
•
exoskeletons
•
humanoid locomotion
Technical Skills:
•
Strong understanding of:
•
Control systems
•
Multibody dynamics
•
Human locomotion
•
State estimation
•
Sensor fusion
Experience with:
•
Real-time control implementation in C/C++
•
Algorithm prototyping using Python or MATLAB
•
Embedded systems development
•
Processing IMU and force sensor data
•
Debugging real-time robotic systems
Preferred Qualifications:
Nice to have
Experience with one or more of the following:
•
Gait phase detection and intent recognition
•
Model-based control (e.g., MPC, optimal control)
•
Extended Kalman Filters or nonlinear state estimation
•
RTOS-based embedded systems
•
ARM Cortex microcontrollers
•
Real-time signal processing
•
Simulation tools such as MuJoCo, Simulink, or OpenSim
•
Experience working on production robotics systems or shipping hardware products is highly valued.
Benefits
•
Competitive salary and equity participation
•
401(k) retirement plan
•
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
•
Flexible vacation policy
•
Paid holidays
•
A collaborative, fast-moving engineering environment
•
Opportunity to shape the future of personal mobility
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