Path Planning Engineer

Forterra; Clarksburg (MD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Paid time off 20 days

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

401(k)

Job summary

Forterra is seeking a senior robotics engineer to bridge planning algorithms with real-world vehicle systems. You will tackle planning across off-road and logistics environments, integrating perception, localization, and controls.

You will deploy and validate software on physical vehicles, from simulation to on-vehicle testing, with hands-on problem solving. The role requires strong C++ skills, ROS/ROS2 experience, and a track record of delivering production-quality software in CI environments.

Qualifications

• BS, MS or PhD in Robotics, Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Strong background in path planning and autonomy domains
• Strong programming skills in C++
• Experience deploying software on robotic or automotive platforms
• Production-quality software in CI environments
• Demonstrates clean, maintainable code and documentation
• Strong problem-solving skills with a hands-on approach

Responsibilities

• Develop real-time path and motion planning algorithms for various vehicle types in Linux using C++
• Integrate planning algorithms with perception, localization, controls, and interfaces
• Deploy, test, and debug autonomy software on vehicles under real-time constraints
• Design and implement messaging for synchronization and debugging across distributed systems
• End-to-end validation: simulation → HIL → on-vehicle testing
• Diagnose and resolve field issues including sensing and actuation edge cases
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust vehicle behavior
• Travel up to 20% for on-site integration and testing

Skills

Path planning

Motion planning

C++

Software engineering

Robotics deployment

Code quality

Problem solving

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Robotics/Applied Math/ME/CS

Tools

ROS/ROS2

CUDA

PyTorch

TensorFlow

TensorRT

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%.

Forterra is an equal‑opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. 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 applications will receive equal consideration for employment.