In this paper, we propose a robust nonlinear control design concept based on a coefficient diagram method and backstepping control, combined with a nonlinear observer for the magnetic levitation system to achieve precise position control in the existence of external disturbance, parameters mismatch with considerable variations and sensor noise in the case, where the full system states are supposed to be unavailable. The observer converges exponentially and leads to good estimate as well as a good track of the steel ball position with the reference trajectory. A simulation results are provided to show the excellent performance of the designed controller.