Principal Engineer Trajectory Generation at Motional

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

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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

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Motion PlanningTrajectory GenerationProbabilistic AlgorithmsSearch-based PlanningGeometry-based MethodsAutonomous DrivingAlgorithm DevelopmentTrajectory OptimizationSoftware ArchitectureControl SystemsRoboticsDecision Making under Uncertainty

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What education and experience are required for this Principal Engineer role?

A PhD is preferred in Robotics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; alternatively, a Master's degree with 7+ years of experience in robotics (preferably AV industry) is required, along with 10+ years of research experience in robotics/motion planning and 5+ years of C++ software development.

What is the salary for the Principal Engineer Trajectory Generation position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Is this role remote or does it require working in an office?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What does the company culture emphasize for this team?

The culture emphasizes technical excellence, product-focused engineering, rigorous research, advanced development, and mentoring junior and senior team members.

What makes a strong candidate for this Principal Engineer position?

Strong candidates have a proven track record of contributing to state-of-the-art solutions, leading significant projects, owning technical development from problem formulation through deployment, and experience in high-performance C++ systems in robotics or AV.

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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