Senior Motion Planning Engineer, Dev Tooling

Motional; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 146,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Motional is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to help reform and extend a C++17+ tooling framework used by autonomous vehicle researchers and engineers. You will build robust tooling and testing solutions for the Motion Planner stack, and collaborate with users to translate needs into maintainable features.

Join a diverse team delivering production-grade libraries and end-user tools, driving modular design, and mentoring peers.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software development in modern C++ (C++17 or higher).
• Experience with multi-threading in C++.
• Debugging experience using gdb.
• Build systems knowledge; Bazel is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop robust tooling and testing solutions for the Motion Planner stack.
• Ensure code is production ready, well documented and thoroughly tested.
• Continuously improve the system design for modularity and expandability.
• Work with users to understand requirements and pain points; deliver impactful solutions.
• Take ownership of components and drive their technical roadmap.
• Support team members to improve development practices, reviews, debugging, and ideation.

Skills

C++17+

Modern C++

Multi-threading

GDB debugging

Build systems

Algorithms and data structures

Software engineering fundamentals

Testing

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Robotics/CS/CE/ME

Tools

Bazel

gdb

Python/JavaScript (bonus)

Job description

Mission Summary

Our Dev Tooling team is a diverse group of software engineers creating an innovative software framework. This framework (developed in C++) enables our autonomous vehicle researchers and engineers to build tools for testing, debugging (RCA), and visualizing vehicle performance. This engineer will bring a fresh mindset, drive ideas on this novel tool, navigate ambiguity, and suggest alternative solutions.

Team members are versatile and contribute to core libraries (C++) as well as end-user tools and frameworks. This team regularly collaborates with various teams from specialized domains including motion planning, controls, machine learning, and triage, gaining knowledge and expertise in those areas.

As we continue to scale, we are seeking an experienced Senior Software Engineer with robust development skills in C++ 17+ to reform some novel tools and their implementation. We value curiosity, going the extra mile to understand our users’ needs and develop innovative features and solutions to increase productivity.

What you’ll be doing:

• Develop and implement robust tooling and testing solutions for the Motion Planner stack, ensuring code is production ready, well documented and thoroughly tested.
• Continuously improve the system's design to promote modularity and expandability, making it easier to adapt and extend in the future.
• Work closely with users to understand their requirements, identify any pain points, and deliver impactful solutions
• Provide ongoing support for issues reported by users. Assess and prioritize the criticality of these issues, distinguishing between blocking problems and desirable feature requests.
• Take ownership of specific components and drive their technical roadmap, ensuring alignment with overall project goals.
• Support team members to improve development practices, merge request reviews, debugging, and ideation sessions.

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor's, Masters, or PhD degree preferred in Robotics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of software development in modern C++ (C++17 or higher) including:
• C++ Standard library
• Modern features of language (C++17 or higher)
• Build systems (Bazel framework is a plus)
• Debugging - especially with gdb
• Solid software engineering foundations, design patterns, algorithms and data structures
• Experience with multi-threading in C++
• Design patterns
• Algorithms and data structures
• Multi-threaded applications
• Testing

Bonus Points:

• Experience and passion for building testing and debugging tools
• Bazel build system
• Knowledge of Python or Javascript

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. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process. 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: $146,000 USD - $225,000 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.

Higher purpose, greater impact.

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.