Senior Robotics Engineer
Durin was founded under the belief that raw materials should not be a constraint on human progress. We are actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of becoming the bedrock of the global supply chain.
Who We Are
Durin builds and operates automated drill rigs to accelerate mineral discovery.
Modern life, from smartphones to skyscrapers, starts as ore in the ground. But mines do not simply appear. Valuable ore is rare, so in advance, Geologists must explore, observe, test, and survey - a process that takes significant time and resources. Building a mine today is a billion dollar endeavor, so precise data is key. This is done by drilling hundreds of holes into the earth to recover cylindrical core samples in the search for valuable material.
Despite being a $12B industry, exploration drilling technology has hardly changed in over 70 years. Our mission is to change that. The first step is the development and mass-production of drilling rigs with automated controls and real-time data streams to increase safety, accuracy, and efficiency. That is just the beginning. Learn more
Automating the Rig
As a Senior Robotics Engineer at Durin you will be directly responsible for selecting, architecting, and deploying robotic systems that enable autonomous capabilities for next-generation drilling rigs. From sensor fusion to real-time control loops, you will ensure consistant, safe, and efficient operations under extreme conditions.
Note: You don't need mining or drilling experience to excel in this role.
Responsibilities
- Design and implement robotic systems for drill string assembly, sample retrieval, and materials handling in harsh, variable site conditions
- Integrate sensors (position, torque, force, vision) and actuators (hydraulic, electric, pneumatic) for stable real-time control
- Optimize motion control and sensor fusion to ensure safe, responsive robotic operations
- Build, test, and iterate hardware/software solutions in both lab and field, balancing performance and reliability
- Collaborate with mechanical, controls, and software teams to align robotics with rig architectures, networking, and data pipelines
- Develop reusable ROS2/C++/Python modules for perception, planning, and control, maintaining high code quality and modularity
Qualifications
- Experience with robotic arms, mobile platforms, or custom solutions in real-world (preferably heavy machinery) settings
- Solid grasp of advanced control methods (PID, LQR, MPC), mechatronic design, and multi-physics systems
- Proficiency in ROS2, C++, and Python, emphasizing robust coding, testing, and maintainability
- Skilled in 2D/3D vision, LiDAR, IMUs, and force/torque sensors, including noise handling and sensor-fusion algorithms
- Familiarity with real-time operating environments and concurrency for reliable millisecond-level control loops
- Comfortable troubleshooting and optimizing performance in rugged field conditions
In this role, you will
- Own a product vertical with the opportunity to build a team around yourself over time
- Work directly with our internal and external customers to drive our roadmap
- Get to build alongside the best engineers and mining operators in the world
- Be given autonomy and virtually unlimited room to grow
- Travel all over the world
This might be a good fit if you
- Have a bias to action, take pride in your work, and care more about getting to the right solution than being right
- Have led critical projects or initiatives
- Have extensive experience shipping modern, full-stack hardware
- Are product-minded and user-driven
- Are excited to work in a fast-paced environment with high stakes and quick iteration cycles
- Are a previous or future founder — if you leave Durin to start a company, we'll do everything to support you, including investing in you and introducing you to Durin's investors
- Can work from our Los Angeles headquarters (El Segundo)
Compensation
This role will pay $120,000-$180,000. Aside from base compensation, we invest heavily in our team. You’ll have the freedom and resources you need to excel. We're building something big together and will ensure you're taken care of every step of the way, financially and otherwise.
We offer 100% healthcare coverage (medical, dental, vision), all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are covered when you’re at headquarters, and we can help provide housing close to the office. In addition, the headquarters is equipped with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a high-end shower.
You will be given generous equity.
Additional Requirements
- Must be willing to work from our headquarters in El Segundo
- Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
Join Durin to build the future of mining. If you're passionate about making a real-world impact and solving complex challenges, we'd love to hear from you.