Senior Motion Planning and Controls Engineer

Lucid Motors; California (MO); On-site; USD 158,000 - 218,000; Full time

Job summary

Lucid Motors in Newark, CA is seeking a Sr. Motion Planning and Controls Engineer for ADAS and autonomous driving.

You will design and deploy high‑performance motion planning and control features across software, hardware, and systems teams. Responsibilities include prototyping, testing, and deployment of lateral and longitudinal controllers (LQR, MPC, PID), model‑based design in MATLAB/Simulink, and end‑to‑end validation from simulation to in‑vehicle use.

Qualifications

• MS in automotive/aerospace/mechanical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in motion control or trajectory planning for ADAS/Autonomous Driving.
• Strong background in LQR, MPC and real‑time control.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, test, and deploy motion planning and control algorithms for ADAS/autonomous systems.
• Implement trajectory planning, route planning, and real‑time control methods.
• Develop and tune lateral and longitudinal controllers (LQR, MPC, PID, Adaptive, Robust).
• Model‑based design and validation using MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools.
• Participate in full development cycle from simulation to in‑vehicle release.
• Collaborate with systems, validation, perception, and platform teams for safe integration.
• Contribute to architecture decisions, safety assessments, and product scalability.

Skills

Motion planning

Vehicle dynamics

Control systems

MATLAB/Simulink

C++/Python

Education

Master's degree in Automotive, Aerospace, Mechanical Eng. or related field

PhD in related field

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

ROS

AUTOSAR

Job description

About Lucid

At Lucid, we are creating exceptional mobility experiences through innovation to drive the world forward. Built on Lucid’s proprietary technology and software‑defined vehicle architecture, our award‑winning vehicles bring our “Compromise Nothing™” approach to the global automotive market. That means refusing to choose between performance and sustainability, design and engineering, ambition and integrity. In Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity, we have designed and built vehicles that have redefined their segments, combining exceptional range, performance, design, and expansive space in a single experience.

We achieve this through deep vertical integration, with design, engineering, and production happening in‑house across our global offices and manufacturing facilities. Our teams come from industries around the world, united by a shared commitment to excellence. By refusing to settle, you can help redefine what’s possible and shape the future of mobility.

We are seeking a Sr. Motion Planning and Controls Engineer, Autonomous Driving to design, develop, and deploy industry‑leading planning and control algorithms for next‑generation driver assistance and autonomous systems.

This position is based in Newark, CA and requires onsite presence five days a week.

The Role

As a Sr. Motion Planning and Controls Engineer, you will play a key role in developing high‑performance motion planning and control features for Lucid’s ADAS and autonomous driving systems. You’ll work across software, hardware, and systems teams to ensure robust design, testing, and deployment of production‑grade lateral and longitudinal control algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, test, and deploy motion planning and control algorithms for ADAS and autonomous driving systems.
• Implement state‑of‑the‑art approaches to trajectory planning, route planning, and real‑time control.
• Develop and tune classical and modern controllers (e.g., LQR, MPC, PID, Adaptive, Robust) for both lateral and longitudinal vehicle dynamics.
• Conduct model‑based design and validation using MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools.
• Participate in the full development cycle, from simulation and SIL/HIL testing to in‑vehicle implementation and release.
• Collaborate closely with systems, validation, perception, and platform teams to ensure safe and seamless software integration.
• Contribute to architectural decisions, safety assessments, and product scalability.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Automotive, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or a related field (advanced degrees preferred).
• 5+ years of experience (with MS) or 3+ years (with PhD) in motion control or trajectory planning for ADAS/Autonomous Driving.
• Deep knowledge of control system design and real‑time implementation using modern control approaches (e.g., LQR, MPC).
• Proven experience deploying lateral and longitudinal controllers in a production or research vehicle environment.
• Proficiency in modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink).
• Solid understanding of ADAS/AD systems, robotics, and vehicle dynamics.
• Strong communication skills and ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, and MATLAB.
• Experience with middleware frameworks like ROS.
• Familiarity with AUTOSAR and embedded software development practices.
• Experience in bench testing, SIL/HIL integration, and scenario‑based simulation.
• Knowledge of safety standards and automotive system regulations (e.g., ISO 26262).
• Background in agile development environments, version control (e.g., Git), and static code analysis.

At Lucid, we don’t just welcome diversity — we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.

Salary Range: The compensation range for this position is specific to the locations listed below and is the range Lucid reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job‑related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; and other relevant business and organizational factors.

Base Pay Range (Annual)

$158,400—$217,800 USD

Compensation & Benefits: Lucid offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays, paid sick leave; and a 401(k) retirement plan. Hourly/non‑exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours paid time off, and salaried/exempt employee accrue up to 160 hours paid time off. Eligible employees may also participate in Lucid’s equity program and/or a discretionary annual cash incentive program. Incentive and equity awards, if applicable, are determined based on individual performance, role scope, market considerations, and overall company results, in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Equal Opportunity: At Lucid, we believe diversity strengthens everything we build. Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive workplace for all. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal laws and regulations.

Accessibility: Lucid Motors is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need any accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at TA‑Operations lucidmotors.com. This email address is designated solely for accommodation requests and is not monitored for job applications or resume submissions. To be considered for employment, all applications must be submitted through the Lucid Motors Careers website.

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