Motion Planning & Controls Engineer

Maven Robotics, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Maven Robotics is seeking a Motion Planning & Controls Engineer to develop software that enables precise, efficient, and reliable robot motion. You will work on optimization-based planning and control algorithms across a multi-disciplinary team in a fast-paced startup environment.

The role requires strong Python and C++ skills, experience with MPC and robotics systems, and a passion for building reliable autonomous solutions for industrial settings.

Qualifications

• MS/PhD in engineering, math or CS.
• Experience with optimization-based motion planning and MPC.
• Strong Python and C++ programming skills.
• Experience with multi-DOF electromechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop software for motion planning and control of robots.
• Design and implement planning/control algorithms for precise, safe motion.
• Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, software, and systems teams.
• Interface with perception, simulation, and platform software.
• Continuously test, measure, and improve motion quality.

Skills

Python

C++

Motion planning

Control theory

Optimization

Robot systems

Problem solving

Education

MS/PhD in engineering

Tools

Model Predictive Control

Robot simulation frameworks

Job description

About Maven

Maven Robotics designs, builds, and deploys intelligent robotics for logistics and manufacturing. Maven is building the first general-purpose robotics system for industrial work. Our mission is to activate autonomous labor at scale and build toward infinitely elastic industrial capacity. We're a team of engineers, researchers, and operators who have spent our careers working on the hardest problems in AI, robotics, engineering, and autonomous systems. We work at the intersection of advanced research and real-world engineering, turning ideas into prototypes and deployed systems.

About Maven

Maven Robotics designs, builds, and deploys intelligent robotics for logistics and manufacturing. Maven is building the first general-purpose robotics system for industrial work. Our mission is to activate autonomous labor at scale and build toward infinitely elastic industrial capacity. We're a team of engineers, researchers, and operators who have spent our careers working on the hardest problems in AI, robotics, engineering, and autonomous systems. We work at the intersection of advanced research and real-world engineering, turning ideas into prototypes and deployed systems.

At Maven, we build around the realities of industrial work. The robots are designed from first principles for complex physical environments and rigorous commercial standards. They master real tasks that deliver immediate impact, industrial-grade reliability, and intelligence that compounds at scale. We're growing an ambitious team of people who think in systems, move quickly, and are builders at heart.

About The Role

As a Motion Planning & Controls Engineer at Maven Robotics, you will develop the software that brings our robots to life, designing and implementing advanced planning and control algorithms that enable precise, efficient, safe, and reliable coordinated motion.

What You'll Do

• Cover the entire software stack that governs robot motion, from optimization-based motion planning and control for an overactuated autonomous system, down to individual motor torque control (and everywhere in between)
• Utilize deep expertise in and intuition for complex, high degree-of-freedom electromechanical systems
• Employ a true multi-disciplinary mindset, bridging mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineering domains to solve real-world problems
• Interface with perception, intelligence, simulation, and platform software systems in designing thoughtful functional architectures that ensure world-class overall robot system performance
• Have an unrelenting drive to achieve exceptional motion quality via continual test, measurement, analysis, and improvement

What We're Looking For

• MS or PhD in engineering, mathematics, computer science or a related discipline.
• Experience in optimization-based motion planning and control algorithms such as Model Predictive Control
• Experience in control, estimation, modeling, and analysis of complex multi-degree-of-freedom electromechanical systems, including forward/inverse kinematics, forward/inverse dynamics, and task/joint space control
• Practical experience with motor servo control (position/velocity/torque control) architectures and tuning
• Proficiency in Python and C++ programming, using up-to-date software development practices and tooling
• Self-starter attitude with strong ability to identify problems, prioritize them, then plan and execute working solutions
• Enthusiasm for working in a fast paced startup environment and eagerness to support the team on a variety of topics

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with ground vehicle localization, mapping, and state estimation techniques (e.g. SLAM, Kalman filtering)
• Familiarity with robotic simulation software frameworks/environments
• Familiarity with modern approaches to robotic manipulation, including state-of-the-art reinforcement learning (RL) and imitation learning (IL) approaches and their application to real-world robots
• Knowledge of brushless motor current control (e.g. field-oriented control)
• Familiarity with functional safety (FuSa) concepts

Equal Opportunity

Maven Robotics is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.