Senior Robotics Engineer, AV Performance Diagnosis & Evaluation

Motional; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 149,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

Motional, a driverless-technology company, seeks a Systems Readiness and Performance engineer to bridge software development and real-world deployment for autonomous stacks. You will drive system design, verify performance targets across simulation, HIL, and on-road operations, and translate findings into actionable insights.

The role is hybrid from our Boston or Las Vegas offices, with in-office days each week; you will collaborate across autonomy, infrastructure, and operations teams to shape

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Computer Science, Electrical, Systems, Robotics) or equivalent work experience; Master's considered a strong plus.
• 5+ years of professional software or systems engineering experience on safety-critical, complex systems such as Autonomous Vehicles, Robotics, Medical Devices, or Aerospace.
• Strong proficiency in Python for data analysis and scripting; experience building data visualizations with Python and BI tools like Looker.
• Ability to think analytically, perform root cause analysis using system logs, and maintain data quality with rigorous testing.
• Proficient with Git and CI/CD workflows; comfortable in a fast-paced development environment.

Responsibilities

• System Diagnosis & Root Cause Analysis: Investigate undesirable AV behaviors across simulation, HIL, and on-road operations; own investigations end-to-end.
• Cross-Subsystem Debugging: Debug across perception, prediction, localization, planning, controls, and vehicle systems.
• Data Analysis & Tooling: Analyze large datasets; develop automated diagnostic workflows using Python and Spaceship to accelerate investigations.
• Performance Visualization: Build dashboards using Python and Looker to measure and report AV system performance.
• Hypothesis Generation: Form technical hypotheses from incomplete data and design analyses to test causes.
• Problem Space Identification: Identify recurring issues and categorize them into failure modes.
• Technical Storytelling & Synthesis: Translate metrics into executive-ready summaries supporting releases.

Skills

System diagnostics

Root cause analysis

Python

Data visualization

CI/CD workflows

Git

Communication

Autonomy & teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Master's degree (strong plus)

Tools

Python

Spaceship

Looker

Git

Job description

Mission Summary

The Systems Readiness and Performance team is the crucial bridge between software development and real-world deployment. We are responsible for driving system design, for verifying and validating the autonomy stack, and for defining, measuring, and validating system performance targets. We work closely with stakeholders in autonomy, infrastructure, and operations to build the definitive safety case for the commercial launch of our fully driverless IONIQ 5 robotaxis in Las Vegas later this year.

Mission Summary

The Systems Readiness and Performance team is the crucial bridge between software development and real-world deployment. We are responsible for driving system design, for verifying and validating the autonomy stack, and for defining, measuring, and validating system performance targets. We work closely with stakeholders in autonomy, infrastructure, and operations to build the definitive safety case for the commercial launch of our fully driverless IONIQ 5 robotaxis in Las Vegas later this year.

What You'll Be Doing

• System Diagnosis & Root Cause Analysis: Perform deep technical investigations of undesirable AV behaviors across simulation, HIL, and on-road operations. Take end-to-end ownership of complex investigations, driving solutions autonomously from initial triage to final resolution with little to no oversight.


• Cross-Subsystem Debugging: Debug behaviors across perception, prediction, localization, planning, controls, and vehicle systems. Reason across subsystem boundaries to diagnose emergent behaviors resulting from component interactions.


• Data Analysis & Tooling: Analyze large datasets from system logs, telemetry, and software outputs using Python. Develop automated diagnostic workflows and custom internal tooling using Python and Spaceship to increase the speed and scale of investigations.


• Performance Visualization: Design and build interactive dashboards using Python frameworks and Business Intelligence tools (e.g., Looker) to effectively measure, analyze, and report on the performance of our AV systems.


• Hypothesis Generation: Develop technical hypotheses from incomplete or ambiguous evidence, distinguish behavioral symptoms from underlying root causes, and design analyses to systematically test potential causes.


• Problem Space Identification: Autonomously identify recurring undesirable behaviors, regressions, and emerging system-level performance issues, categorizing them into meaningful failure modes.


• Technical Storytelling & Synthesis: “Dive deep” into technical complexities to uncover root causes, then step back to synthesize findings. Translate raw performance metrics into clear summaries that support executive-level reporting, unified release narratives, and cross-functional communication.

What We're Looking For

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Computer Science, Electrical, Systems, Robotics) or equivalent work experience, with a Master's degree considered a strong plus.


• Robotics Experience: 5+ years of professional software or systems engineering experience working on safety-critical, complex systems such as Autonomous Vehicles, Robotics, Medical Devices, or Aerospace. Thorough understanding of robotics systems including sensors, actuators, and software autonomy stacks.


• Data & Analytics Expertise: Strong proficiency in Python for data analysis and scripting, backed by a strong understanding of modern software development principles. Experience building data visualizations using Python frameworks, with a willingness to learn Business Intelligence tools (e.g., Looker).


• Systems Thinking & Quality: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for complex system performance evaluation. Ability to think logically, remove bias, perform root cause analysis using system logs, and maintain a strict commitment to data quality and rigorous testing.


• Engineering Workflows: Proficient with Git and standard version control workflows, and entirely comfortable working in a fast-paced, agile, continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) environment.


• Autonomy & Communication: Proven ability to work both independently and effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team. Excellent communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex technical findings into clear summaries that support cross-functional teams and executive leadership.

Bonus Points (not required)

• Experience using AV-specific software diagnostic and visualization tools (e.g., Planner Analyzer) to troubleshoot complex autonomy behaviors.


• Knowledge of statistical analysis and machine learning techniques relevant to performance evaluation.

Success Metrics

• Core Diagnosis & RCA: Effective execution of deep technical investigations that accurately isolate the underlying root causes of complex, cross-subsystem AV behaviors and translate them into actionable engineering resolutions.


• Diagnostic Automation: Successful implementation of robust, automated diagnostic workflows that significantly reduce the time required to triage and resolve anomalous AV behaviors.


• Technical Synthesis & Insights: Consistent delivery of accurate, high-impact data visualizations and clear summaries that directly accelerate AV development and system maturity.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and at times for long periods; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.

Travel Requirements (greater than 20%)

Expected to travel for 1-2 weeks each quarter visiting all of our testing sites - mostly to LV, but also domestically as needed for the business.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here represent those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The team member is regularly exposed to mechanical and computer parts. The team member is occasionally exposed to fumes and/or airborne particlesThe noise level in the environment is low to moderate.

This role is hybrid from our Boston or Las Vegas office. It requires in-office days each week.

Motional AD LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and we welcome all qualified applicants. All applicants will receive impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or other legally protected status. Motional AD LLC is a Drug-free workplace.

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: $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.

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.