Principal Engineer Trajectory Generation at Motional

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Motional Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Autonomous Vehicles, RoboticsIndustries

Requirements

  • PhD preferred in Robotics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; or a Master's degree with 7+ years of experience in robotics (preferably AV industry)
  • 10+ years of research experience in robotics / motion planning, with a proven track record of contributing to state-of-the-art solutions and leading significant projects
  • 5+ years of C++ software development, with an emphasis on developing high-performance and reliable systems
  • Past experience owning and leading technical development on complex features from problem formulation through research, implementation, and deployment in a production environment, demonstrating significant impact
  • Thirst for knowledge, continuous innovation, and a drive to push the boundaries of autonomous driving technology, acting as a technical thought leader
  • Experience with probabilistic models, including but not limited to Gaussian mixture models, Hidden Markov Models, and Particle Filters (appreciated)
  • Experience with machine learning techniques (such as Bayesian modeling and inference techniques) for decision making under uncertainty (appreciated)
  • Experience with the Bazel build framework (appreciated)

Responsibilities

  • Lead the research and development of novel algorithms and sub-systems for motion planning in autonomous driving, expanding the Operational Design Domain, including advanced search-based and sophisticated geometry-based methods, and decision-making under uncertainty with probabilistic approaches
  • Lead cross-functional projects to define new or upgrade existing interfaces to solve problems
  • Monitor overall system performance to identify areas for improvement and develop technical strategies to address deficiencies
  • Guide cross-functional project teams to provide comprehensive solutions and demonstrate the ability to think beyond the confines of the planning system
  • Architect and integrate complex combinations of motion planning and prediction algorithms, driving their evaluation and refinement for real-world deployment
  • Design and build a robust, scalable, and high-performance codebase that facilitates rapid exploration, prototyping, and rigorous evaluation of innovative motion planning approaches and algorithms
  • Drive technical collaboration and interface seamlessly with perception and prediction components upstream and trajectory optimization, tracking and control components downstream, ensuring end-to-end system performance
  • Leverage deep software development and research expertise to teach others better software practices and principles, fostering a culture of technical excellence
  • Guide and mentor junior and senior team members, cultivating a culture of product-focused engineering, rigorous research, and advanced development

Skills

Motion Planning
Trajectory Generation
Probabilistic Algorithms
Search-based Planning
Geometry-based Methods
Autonomous Driving
Algorithm Development
Trajectory Optimization
Software Architecture
Control Systems
Robotics
Decision Making under Uncertainty

Motional

Develops fully driverless robotaxis for urban transport

About Motional

Motional develops fully driverless vehicles, specifically robotaxis, aimed at transforming urban transportation. Their all-electric robotaxis are designed to navigate complex city environments safely and efficiently. Motional partners with ride-hailing and delivery services, providing them with advanced autonomous vehicle technology to enhance their operations and reduce costs. A unique aspect of Motional's service is its Command Center, which allows for real-time tracking of each robotaxi, enabling human agents to monitor performance and ensure passenger safety. Unlike many competitors, Motional focuses on integrating its vehicles into existing mobility networks, making driverless technology accessible and reliable. The company's goal is to make autonomous vehicles a safe and integral part of urban transportation.

Boston, MassachusettsHeadquarters
2020Year Founded
$5,000MTotal Funding
GROWTH_EQUITY_NON_VCCompany Stage
Robotics & Automation, Automotive & TransportationIndustries
1,001-5,000Employees

Benefits

401K: 401K with up to 7.5% match
time Off: Unlimited sick and vacation days
Transportation: Commuter and fitness benefits
Healthcare: 3 plan options to support diverse needs
IVF: Fertility assistance

Risks

Motional laid off 550 employees, indicating financial and operational challenges.
Aptiv reduced its stake in Motional, impacting operational capabilities.
Delays in autonomous vehicle deployment to 2026 could hinder market entry plans.

Differentiation

Motional offers a state-of-the-art Command Center for real-time robotaxi tracking.
The company focuses on all-electric, driverless robotaxis for urban environments.
Motional partners with ride-hailing services to integrate autonomous vehicles into their operations.

Upsides

Motional raised $475 million from Hyundai, indicating strong financial backing.
Partnerships with Uber and Shake Shack expand Motional's market reach in delivery services.
Increased investment in robotics highlights potential funding opportunities for Motional.

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