Senior Autonomy Software Engineer - Planning & Motion

Didi Labs; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

DiDi Autonomous Driving in San Jose, CA, is seeking a junior or skilled Software Engineer to develop core decision-making and motion planning systems for our autonomous vehicles. In this role you will tackle challenges across the full motion planning stack, from high-level behavioral reasoning to low-level trajectory optimization.

You will collaborate with Prediction, Perception, and Control teams to ensure seamless integration from environmental understanding to vehicle motion.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Robotics, or related field.
• Experience in autonomous systems, robotics, or automotive software.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python for real-time algorithms.
• Strong understanding of decision-making, motion planning, and optimization.
• Experience with behavioral and motion planning concepts is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design core behavioral planning logic for high-level actions.
• Develop and optimize motion planning algorithms with geometry and velocity reasoning.
• Architect geometry system for feasible paths.
• Refine velocity system for context-aware profiles.
• Model driving scenarios and world interactions for the planner.
• Design costs for trajectory ranking balancing ETA, comfort, safety.
• Analyze, test, debug performance; lead root-cause investigations.
• Collaborate with Prediction, Perception, and Control teams.

Skills

C++

Python

Robotics fundamentals

Decision-making

Motion planning

Optimization

Trajectory ranking

Education

B.S./M.S. in Computer Science, Robotics

Job description

DiDi Autonomous Driving in San Jose, CA, is seeking a junior or skilled Software Engineer to develop core decision-making and motion planning systems for our autonomous vehicles. In this role you will tackle challenges across the full motion planning stack, from high-level behavioral reasoning to low-level trajectory optimization.

You will collaborate with Prediction, Perception, and Control teams to ensure seamless integration from environmental understanding to vehicle motion.