Lead Autonomy Engineer: Real-Time Motion Planning & Controls

Jobtailor; California (MO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a senior robotics software engineer to lead motion planning, planning and control algorithms for autonomous robotic systems. You will optimize real-time planning software and collaborate across localization, perception, and hardware teams to deliver reliable autonomous platforms.

Applicants should have a degree in robotics/CS/EE/ME with 5+ years in robotics, strong C++/Python, ROS/ROS 2, Navigation2, and experience with SIL/HIL testing and CI/CD pipelines.

Qualifications

• Degree in robotics, CS, EE, ME, or related field.
• 5+ years in motion planning or autonomy for real robots.
• Experience with optimization techniques or advanced robotics algorithms.
• Strong C++ and Python programming skills.
• RT performance and safety-critical software practices.
• Familiarity with ROS/ROS 2 and Navigation2.
• Experience with simulation, HIL, and CI/CD workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and deployment of motion planning and control algorithms.
• Develop path-planning and trajectory-generation under kinematic/dynamic constraints.
• Ensure safe operation in dynamic environments.
• Collaborate with localization, perception, and hardware teams.
• Evaluate and validate planning algorithms with SIL/HIL and simulations.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor team members.
• Define software architecture and best practices for planning and control.
• Support full software development lifecycle for autonomous platforms.

Skills

Motion Planning

Control Algorithms

Real-Time Software

Technical Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in related field

Tools

ROS/ROS 2

Navigation2

Simulation Tools

SIL/HIL

CI/CD Pipelines

Job description

Jobtailor seeks a senior robotics software engineer to lead motion planning, planning and control algorithms for autonomous robotic systems. You will optimize real-time planning software and collaborate across localization, perception, and hardware teams to deliver reliable autonomous platforms.

Applicants should have a degree in robotics/CS/EE/ME with 5+ years in robotics, strong C++/Python, ROS/ROS 2, Navigation2, and experience with SIL/HIL testing and CI/CD pipelines.