Senior Engineer, ML Data Services

Motional; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 149,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

Motional is seeking a seasoned backend engineer to design and implement REST APIs and microservices for data labeling and annotations. You will architect scalable data pipelines in the cloud and own critical services storing terabytes of data, collaborating with Autonomy teams and leadership.

You should have 5+ years in software development (Python preferred) and strong AWS experience, plus the ability to mentor junior engineers and contribute to SDLC improvements in a fast-growing,

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software development experience with Python.
• 5+ years of backend web development experience with REST APIs and microservices.
• 3+ years of AWS cloud experience (DynamoDB, API Gateway, EKS, Lambda, OpenSearch, Redshift, S3).
• 3+ years of data engineering experience with AWS Step Functions, Airflow or Prefect.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience working in cross-functional development teams, including quarterly road map design.
• Hands-on experience using modern AI coding tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot) to accelerate development, refactoring, and code review.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement Restful APIs and microservices for data labeling and annotations
• Architect, build and maintain scalable data processing pipelines with cloud ETL technology to deliver datasets for Autonomy teams
• Take ownership of highly-available, critical backend services and APIs that store and expose terabytes of data
• Work closely with leadership and stakeholders to define objectives, align timelines, agree on key deliverables, and build the execution plan
• Design and develop monitoring and observability services for the MLOps data service pipelines
• Mentor and teach junior engineers in the team to develop good SDLC skills and better quality code with pairing sessions

Skills

Python

REST APIs

Microservices

AWS Cloud

Data engineering

Communication

Mentoring

Cross-functional teamwork

AI coding tools

Education

BS or MS in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Docker Containerization

Airflow

Prefect

Ray

Beam

Spark

Cursor

Claude Code

GitHub Copilot

Job description

What you\'ll be doing:

• Design and implement Restful APIs and microservices for data labeling and annotations
• Architect, build and maintain scalable data processing pipelines with cloud ETL technology to deliver datasets for Autonomy teams
• Take ownership of highly-available, critical backend services and APIs that store and expose terabytes of data
• Work closely with leadership and stakeholders to define objectives, align timelines, agree on key deliverables, and build the execution plan
• Design and develop monitoring and observability services for the MLOps data service pipelines
• Mentor and teach junior engineers in the team to develop good SDLC skills and better quality code with pairing sessions

What we\'re looking for:

• 5+ years of software development experience with Python preferred. Relevant experience with Java or Go
• 5+ years of web backend development experience with REST APIs and microservices
• 3+ years of AWS cloud experience (e.g., DynamoDB, API Gateway, EKS, Lambda, OpenSearch, Redshift, S3 )
• 3+ years of data engineering experience with AWS Step Functions, Airflow or Prefect
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Experience working in cross-functional development teams, including quarterly road map design
• Hands‑on experience using modern AI coding tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot) to accelerate development, refactoring, and code review.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers
• BS or MS in Computer Science or related field

Bonus points (not required):

• Hands‑on experience with using Ray, Beam, Spark, or related big data processing in a large-scale environment
• Experience in Docker Containerization
• Autonomous driving industry experience

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors including but not limited to specific skills, experience and expertise, role location, certifications, licenses, and business needs. The estimated compensation range listed in this job posting reflects base salary only. This role may include additional forms of compensation such as a bonus or company equity. Candidates for certain positions are eligible to participate in Motional’s benefits program. Motional’s benefits include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401k with a company match, health saving accounts, life insurance, pet insurance, and more.

Salary Range: $149,000 USD - $198,500 USD

Motional is a driverless technology company making autonomous vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. We’re driven by something more.

Our journey is always people first.

We aren\'t just developing driverless cars; we\'re creating safer roadways, more equitable transportation options, and making our communities better places to live, work, and connect. Our team is made up of engineers, researchers, innovators, dreamers and doers, who are creating a technology with the potential to transform the way we move.

We’re creating first‑of‑its‑kind technology that will transform transportation. To do so successfully, we must design for everyone in our cities and on our roads. We believe in building a great place to work through a progressive, global culture that is diverse, inclusive, and ensures people feel valued at every level of the organization. Diversity helps us to see the world differently; it’s not only good for our business, it’s the right thing to do.

Scale up, not starting up.

Our team is behind some of the industry\'s largest leaps forward, including the first fully-autonomous cross-country drive in the U.S, the launch of the world\'s first robotaxi pilot, and operation of the world\'s longest-standing public robotaxi fleet. We’re driven to scale; we’re moving towards commercialization of our technology, and we need team members who are ready to embrace change and challenges.

Formed as a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, Motional is fundamentally changing how people move through their lives. Headquartered in Boston, Motional has operations in the U.S and Asia. For more information, visit www.Motional.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

Motional AD Inc. is an EOE. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To comply with Federal Law, we participate in E-Verify. All newly-hired employees are queried through this electronic system established by the DHS and the SSA to verify their identity and employment eligibility.