This dissertation presents a hierarchical, hybrid point of view to the control of large-scale systems. The analysis is based on a new hybrid dynamical system formulation that allows for the modelling of large scale systems in a modular fashion. Three problems are addressed: controller design, closed loop performance verification and the extension of system autonomy. A control scheme based on semi-autonomous agent operation is first proposed. An algorithm, using ideas from game theory, is presented to produce continuous controllers for hierarchical, hybrid designs. A discussion of design...