Head of Locomotion & Controls (Humanoid Robot)

OVERVIEWPosition: Head of Locomotion and ControlsCompany: VinDynamicsDivision - Department: Mobility Department, Research and Development DivisionReport to: Director of Research and DevelopmentLocation: Reno, Nevada, USA | Open to Hybrid & OnsiteCOMPANY DESCRIPTIONVinDynamics is a well-funded humanoid robotics startup backed by Vingroup- one of Southeast Asia’s largest private conglomerates. We are on a mission to make advanced robotics accessible, reliable, and beneficial for billions of people worldwide. By combining cutting-edge AI, world-class engineering, and human-centered design, we aim to seamlessly integrate robots into daily life — enhancing safety, productivity, and happiness at home and beyond.The company is led by Professor from the University of Nevada, Reno with decades of robotics experience and the former Head of Controls & Behavior at a cutting-edge legged robotics company in the U.S.REQUIREMENTSRelevant education and experienceMaster’s or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, or related fields5 years minimum working in manipulation softwareProven expertise in robotics manipulation, motion planning, forward and inverse kinematics, feedback control, force/impedance controlAdvanced experience with reinforcement learning, imitation learning, large behavior models for manipulation (e.g., Visual-Language-Action model)Experience with physics-based simulation such as BulletSim, Mujoco, Isaac LabExperience integrating perception such as vision, depth, tactile sensors into manipulationPersonality/ AttitudeStrong interpersonal, organizational and leadership skillsProactive, dedicated, business-oriented, responsible and willing to learnGood communication skills, creative problem-solving skills and attention to detailJOB DESCRIPTIONDefine the vision and roadmap for the Mobility Robotics stack, covering locomotion, navigation, motion planning, control, and the full mobility intelligence layer of the robot.Build and lead a high-performing Mobility Robotics team, combining robotics software engineers, control engineers, and applied researchers to develop a world-class mobility platform.Collaborate closely with Mechanical, Electronics/Firmware, Perception/AI, and Systems Engineering teams to ensure seamless end-to-end integration between mobility software and the full robot system.Stay ahead of industry and academic advances in locomotion, dynamic control, navigation, and autonomous mobility to shape R&D priorities and long-term technology strategy.Drive the integration of perception, mapping, localization, and hardware capabilities into the mobility pipeline to enhance performance, accuracy, and adaptability.Ensure real-time, safe, and robust mobility performance in complex, unstructured, and continuously changing environments.