Motional

Senior Motion Planning Engineer

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Autonomous Vehicles, RoboticsIndustries

Senior Motion Planning Engineer (Evergreen)

Position Overview

On our Motion Planning team, you'll apply your passion in robotics and software development for production-ready autonomous vehicles. In this role, you'll perform cutting-edge research, develop advanced algorithms, and build robust software to generate safe, comfortable, and intuitive routes and motions.

Role Responsibilities

  • Lead the research and development of novel algorithms for motion planning in autonomous driving, including but not limited to advanced search-based methods, sophisticated geometry-based methods, and decision making under uncertainty with a strong emphasis on probabilistic approaches.
  • 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 your deep software development and research expertise to teach others better software practices and principles, fostering a culture of technical excellence.
  • Guide and mentor junior team members, cultivating a culture of product-focused engineering, rigorous research, and advanced development.

Requirements

  • PhD preferred in Robotics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; or a Master's degree with 2+ years of experience in the robotics (preferably AV industry).
  • 5+ years of research experience in robotics / motion planning, with a proven track record of contributing to state-of-the-art solutions.
  • 3+ 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.
  • Thirst for knowledge, continuous innovation, and a drive to push the boundaries of autonomous driving technology.

Skills Appreciated

  • Experience with probabilistic models, including but not limited to Gaussian mixture models, Hidden Markov Models, and Particle Filters.
  • Experience with Bayesian modeling and inference techniques for decision making under uncertainty.
  • Experience with the Bazel build framework.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Salary Range: $168,000 - $225,000 USD
    • The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors including but not limited to specific skills, experience and expertise, role location, certifications, licenses, and business needs. The estimated compensation range listed in this job posting reflects base salary only.
    • This role may include additional forms of compensation such as a bonus or company equity. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.
  • Benefits Program: Candidates for certain positions are eligible to participate in Motional’s benefits program. Motional’s benefits include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401k with a company match, health saving accounts, life insurance, pet insurance, and more.

Company Information

Motional is a driverless technology company making autonomous vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. We’re driven by something more. Our journey is always people first. We aren't just developing driverless cars; we're creating safer roadways, more equitable transportation options, and making our communities better places to live, work, and connect. Our team is made up of engineers, researchers, innovators, dreamers and doers, who are creating a technology with the potential to transform mobility.

Employment Type

  • [Not Specified]

Location Type

  • [Not Specified]

Skills

Robotics
Software Development
Algorithm Development
Motion Planning
Autonomous Vehicles
Search-based methods
Geometry-based methods
Decision making under uncertainty
Probabilistic approaches
Prediction algorithms
Trajectory optimization
Tracking
Control
C++
Research

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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