Lead Autonomous Driving Engineer

Aska Fly; Firebaugh (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

ASKA is seeking a Lead Autonomous Driving Engineer to drive the intelligence strategy for a vehicle designed to integrate autonomous driving with aerial capabilities. You will lead software integration, ground-vehicle behavior, planning, localization and control interfaces, and set development priorities for the driving team.

You will work closely with the CTO, guide software from bench evaluation through instrumented vehicle testing, and ensure measurable readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in robotics, computer science, electrical, mechanical or controls engineering or equivalent demonstrated expertise.
• 10+ years in autonomous vehicles, mobile robotics or related software/control development, including 3+ years leading a technical team or major subsystem.
• Delivery of ground-vehicle autonomy software through instrumented testing on physical vehicles.
• Strong knowledge of vehicle kinematics/dynamics, motion planning, behavior design, localization and control-interface constraints.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python, with experience reviewing real-time performance, concurrency and software quality.
• Experience integrating distributed software, vehicle networks and supplier components with measurable acceptance criteria.
• Ability to lead structured testing, anomaly resolution, engineering reviews and cross-team technical decisions.

Responsibilities

• Own technical planning, software integration and release recommendations for the autonomous-driving discipline.
• Translate approved driving requirements into clear software responsibilities, interface contracts and measurable evaluation criteria.
• Guide development of behavior, trajectory and vehicle-interface software, balancing feasibility, predictable behavior and execution constraints.
• Coordinate perception, localization and vehicle-control inputs while keeping software and hardware responsibilities clearly assigned.
• Lead integration of developed and externally supplied components through controlled interfaces and configuration baselines.
• Define simulation, replay, bench and controlled-course test priorities with test and safety engineers.
• Review failures and performance limitations, direct corrective work and verify regressions before advancing a release.
• Build and mentor the driving team and report technical dependencies, staffing needs and delivery risks to the CTO and program manager.
• Own and continually improve the driving team's evaluation framework, including representative test cases, measurable acceptance criteria and repeatable regression checks; use test findings to close coverage gaps and support evidence-based release reviews.

Skills

C++

Python

Robotics

Autonomous driving

Team leadership

System integration

Testing and QA

Education

Bachelor's degree in robotics, computer science, electrical, mechanical or controls engineering

Tools

ROS 2/DDS

Job description

Lead the intelligence that takes ASKA's mission along the ground. Bring software, sensing, vehicle integration, and testing together as we build autonomous driving into a vehicle designed to continue its journey through the air.

Lead the development and integration of autonomous-driving software under the CTO. You will bring hands-on expertise in ground-vehicle behavior, planning, localization and control interfaces, set development priorities for the driving team, and guide software from controlled bench evaluation through instrumented vehicle testing. The role combines technical decision-making, code and design review, and responsibility for measurable readiness.

Employment Full-time proposed

Location & work arrangement Eagle Field Airport, Firebaugh, CA - Palo Alto area or remote for eligible software and analysis work, to be defined; on-site integration, development and test schedule to be discussed; availability for occasional testing at Eagle Field Airport required, with advance coordination

Technical leadership and delivery of autonomous-driving engineering.

Key working interfaces

Reports to the CTO, leads Autonomous Driving engineers and coordinates with vehicle hardware, AI, simulation, safety and test specialists. The Autonomous Flight lead owns the separate airborne discipline; the program manager coordinates delivery dependencies.

What you'll do

• Own technical planning, software integration and release recommendations for the autonomous-driving discipline.
• Translate approved driving requirements into clear software responsibilities, interface contracts and measurable evaluation criteria.
• Guide development of behavior, trajectory and vehicle-interface software, balancing feasibility, predictable behavior and execution constraints.
• Coordinate perception, localization and vehicle-control inputs while keeping software and hardware responsibilities clearly assigned.
• Lead integration of developed and externally supplied components through controlled interfaces and configuration baselines.
• Define simulation, replay, bench and controlled-course test priorities with test and safety engineers.
• Review failures and performance limitations, direct corrective work and verify regressions before advancing a release.
• Build and mentor the driving team and report technical dependencies, staffing needs and delivery risks to the CTO and program manager.
• Own and continually improve the driving team's evaluation framework, including representative test cases, measurable acceptance criteria and repeatable regression checks; use test findings to close coverage gaps and support evidence-based release reviews.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in robotics, computer science, electrical, mechanical or controls engineering, or equivalent demonstrated expertise.
• 10+ years in autonomous vehicles, mobile robotics or related software/control development, including 3+ years leading a technical team or major subsystem.
• Demonstrated delivery of ground-vehicle autonomy software through instrumented testing on physical vehicles.
• Strong knowledge of vehicle kinematics/dynamics, motion planning, behavior design, localization and control-interface constraints.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python, with experience reviewing real-time performance, concurrency and software quality.
• Experience integrating distributed software, vehicle networks and supplier components with measurable acceptance criteria.
• Ability to lead structured testing, anomaly resolution, engineering reviews and cross-team technical decisions.

Preferred qualifications

Experience with drive-by-wire interfaces, ROS 2/DDS or comparable middleware, constrained trajectory optimization, robotics simulation and functional-safety development processes.

AI tools and automation: Strongly preferred where programming is a substantial part of the role: hands-on use of Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot or equivalent tools for development, debugging, test automation, code review or analysis scripts. Include relevant Python, MATLAB or other scripting experience. Provide a specific example, your contribution, any measured time saved or quality improvement, and how you verified the result. Equivalent tools are welcome.

We welcome transferable experience from related industries. You do not need to meet every preferred qualification. Tell us what you have delivered and how your skills apply to this role.

Location & working arrangements

Eagle Field Airport - 11100 W Eagle Ave, Firebaugh, CA 93622

Eagle Field Airport is our primary development and manufacturing location. Palo Alto area or remote arrangements may be considered for engineering work that does not require hands-on access. All current openings require availability to participate in development and flight-testing activities at Eagle Field Airport from time to time, with advance coordination. Flight-test roles require on-site availability for preparation and campaigns. Scheduling and travel arrangements will be discussed for each role.

About ASKA

At ASKA, we are on a mission to build the world's first AI sensor fusion and digital twin system that manages autonomous driving and autonomous flying in one vehicle. We are bringing ground and air autonomy together to support the warfighter-moving critical supplies, reaching people in need, and reducing exposure in dangerous environments. Our team works across aircraft engineering, intelligent software, electric propulsion, and advanced manufacturing, with development and testing at Eagle Field Airport in California. Bring your expertise. Take ownership. Help build technology that matters.

ASKA welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and relevant experience. For questions or application accommodations, message the recruiting team .