Path Planning Engineer

Rippling, Inc.; Clarksburg (MD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

PTO 20 days

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

401(k)

Job summary

Forterra is seeking an experienced robotics software engineer to design and validate real-time path and motion planning for diverse vehicle platforms. You will integrate with perception, localization and controls, test on-vehicle systems, and ensure reliable performance in field environments.

The role requires robust C++ development, Linux experience, and hands-on deployment from simulation to hardware, with opportunities for travel to support on-site integration.

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Robotics, Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Strong background in path planning, motion planning, or related autonomy domains.
• Strong programming skills in C++.
• Solid software engineering fundamentals: system design, unit/integration testing, debugging.
• Experience deploying or integrating software on physical robotic or automotive platforms.
• Ability to deliver production-quality software in a continuously integrated environment.
• Demonstrates clean, maintainable code and documentation practices.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, hands-on approach.

Responsibilities

• Develop real-time (deterministic, randomized, and optimization-based) path and motion planning algorithms for various vehicle types (Ackermann, skid-steered, wheeled, tracked) using C++ in a Linux environment.
• Integrate planning algorithms with on-vehicle systems, including perception, localization, controls, and platform interfaces.
• Deploy, test, and debug autonomy software directly on vehicles, addressing real-time constraints, system latency, and hardware limitations.
• Design and implement messaging for synchronization, logging and debugging across distributed systems.
• Own end-to-end validation: simulation -> HIL -> on-vehicle testing, ensuring consistency and performance across environments.
• Diagnose and resolve issues observed in field testing, including edge cases arising from sensing, actuation, and environment variability.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams (Perception, Controls, Platform, Systems Engineering) to ensure robust and reliable vehicle behavior.
• Travel up to 20% to support on-site vehicle integration and testing

Skills

Path planning

C++ programming

Robotics expertise

Software engineering fundamentals

Autonomy / unmanned platforms

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Robotics or related field

Tools

ROS/ROS2

Linux

Real-time systems

Job description

About Forterra

At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.

Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

About the role

Forterra is a fast-growing company at the early stages of growth. We hire talented people with diverse backgrounds who are ready to help build a technology ecosystem that supports our defense and commercial partners.

This role is focused on bridging planning algorithms with real-world vehicle systems, ensuring that autonomy performs reliably under real-time, on-vehicle constraints. You will be part of a team tackling planning problems across diverse domains such as complex, unstructured off-road terrain, coordinated formation control, and semi-structured environments like logistics yards. Platforms range from small robotic vehicles to full-scale trucks.

In addition to algorithm development, this role requires deep involvement in on-vehicle integration, system bring-up, debugging, and performance validation in field environments. Members of our Behavior Generation team must be resourceful, hands-on, and capable of owning problems end-to-end—from design through deployment on physical systems.

What you'll do

• Develop real-time (deterministic, randomized, and optimization-based) path and motion planning algorithms for various vehicle types (Ackermann, skid-steered, wheeled, tracked) using C++ in a Linux environment
• Integrate planning algorithms with on-vehicle systems, including perception, localization, controls, and platform interfaces
• Deploy, test, and debug autonomy software directly on vehicles, addressing real-time constraints, system latency, and hardware limitations
• Design and implement messaging for synchronization, logging and debugging across distributed systems
• Own end-to-end validation: simulation -> HIL -> on-vehicle testing, ensuring consistency and performance across environments
• Diagnose and resolve issues observed in field testing, including edge cases arising from sensing, actuation, and environment variability
• Work closely with cross-functional teams (Perception, Controls, Platform, Systems Engineering) to ensure robust and reliable vehicle behavior
• Travel up to 20% to support on-site vehicle integration and testing

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Robotics, Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Strong background in path planning, motion planning, or related autonomy domains
• Strong programming skills in C++
• Solid software engineering fundamentals: system design, unit/integration testing, debugging
• Experience deploying or integrating software on physical robotic or automotive platforms
• Ability to deliver production-quality software in a continuously integrated environment
• Demonstrates clean, maintainable code and documentation practices
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, hands-on approach

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with unmanned ground vehicles operating in outdoor environments
• Experience with on-vehicle debugging, telemetry analysis, and real-time system profiling
• Familiarity with robotics middleware (e.g., ROS/ROS2 or similar frameworks)
• Experience working across perception-planning-controls interfaces
• Expertise with GPU or ML toolkits such as CUDA, PyTorch, TensorFlow, and/or TensorRT

US Salary Range
$150,000-$180,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

For more information about U.S. Security Clearances:

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices.Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.