> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/731888-reinforcement-learning-controls-research-scientist-spot-behavior](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/731888-reinforcement-learning-controls-research-scientist-spot-behavior). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Reinforcement Learning & Controls Research Scientist- Spot Behavior - **Company:** Boston Dynamics - **Location:** Waltham, MA, United States - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $177,000.0 - $225,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** C++ (Programming Language), Software Debugging, Python (Programming Language), Real-Time Operating Systems, Reinforcement Learning, Pytorch, Information Technology, Production Code, Software Coding - **Published:** June 29, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=085fd46377930f83 ## About the Role Do you have experience in Software coding?, * MS or PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field. * 3-6 years of experience deploying RL or learning-based control policies on physical hardware. * Strong foundations in classical control theory, including stability analysis, state estimation, and low-level actuation. * Experience with real-time software constraints and control loop design. * Proficiency in Python and C++. * Familiarity with modern deep RL frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, RLlib). Nice to Have: * Experience with legged robotics or contact-rich locomotion systems. * PhD in a relevant field. * Familiarity with whole-body control or model predictive control (MPC) for legged systems. * Experience with state estimators (e.g., EKF, contact estimation) in robotics. * Experience with sim-to-real transfer and domain randomization. ## Description At Boston Dynamics, we are pushing the boundaries of what legged robots can do in the real world. The Spot Behavior team is building next-generation locomotion and mobility capabilities, and we are seeking a curious, driven engineer to develop reinforcement learning solutions that run directly on our quadruped platforms. In this role, you will design, train, and deploy RL policies that integrate tightly with Spot's control stack to deliver robust, agile behavior across real-world environments. Day-to-Day Activities: * Design and deploy RL systems that improve Spot's mobility and robustness across challenging terrain. * Tune and validate low-level controllers (e.g., PD/PID, whole-body control) at the interface with learned policies. * Build and maintain simulation environments (e.g., Isaac Sim, MuJoCo) to train and validate policies before hardware deployment. * Analyze robot data logs to diagnose control failures and iterate on controller design. * Test and debug directly on our in-house Spot fleet, taking a first-principles approach to failure analysis. * Write production-ready code in Python and C++. ## Related Videos - [Robots are coming into the wild! Full-Stack Robotics Engineers, be ready!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/479-robots-are-coming-into-the-wild-full-stack-robotics-engineers-be-ready) - [Photonic Computing: Programming a New Class of AI Accelerators (incl. Live Coding)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100196-photonic-computing-programming-a-new-class-of-ai-accelerators-incl-live-coding) - [Designing the Future of Human<>Agent Collaboration](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1447-designing-the-future-of-human-agent-collaboration) - [Unleashing the Power of Developers: Why Cybersecurity is the Missing Piece?!?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/712-unleashing-the-power-of-developers-why-cybersecurity-is-the-missing-piece) - [Official Opening of WeAreDevelopers World Congress 2026](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100000-official-opening-of-wearedevelopers-world-congress-2026) - [Geometric deep learning for drug discovery](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/264-geometric-deep-learning-for-drug-discovery) ## Related Articles - [What Are Large Language Models?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/304-what-are-large-language-models) - [Dev Digest 137 - AI'm not sure about this](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/485-dev-digest-137-ai-m-not-sure-about-this) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Dev Digest 138 - Are you secure about this?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/486-dev-digest-138-are-you-secure-about-this) - [From Prototype to Production: Build AI Agents with This Free 4-Course Learning Path](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/655-from-prototype-to-production-build-ai-agents-with-this-free-4-course-learning-path) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer)