Senior Systems Engineer, Robotaxi Systems

Motional; Boston, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh (MA, NV, Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 172,000 - 229,000; Full time

Job summary

Motional, a Boston-based leader in autonomous driving, seeks a Systems Engineer to design, evaluate, and improve the interactions between autonomy, remote operations, and customer-facing software.

You will define performance targets and measure system behavior to launch a robust Robotaxi service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Define architecture, requirements, and interfaces for Remote Operation, Fleet Orchestration, and Mapping systems.
• Design systems and processes for continuous improvement of the interface between Autonomy Stack, Operators, and Customers.
• Evaluate performance with data pipelines, simulation suites, and V&V campaigns to meet key metrics.
• Collaborate with systems, software, AI, Remote Operations, simulation, and validation teams to improve AV components.
• Document operations and customer experience workflows; model and communicate complex interactions between systems.

Skills

Python programming

System architecture

Data analysis

Git version control

CI/CD

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, CS, Aerospace, Robotics

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

ICDs/interfaces

Job description

Motional is a leading autonomous driving company on a mission to make driverless vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. Backed by Hyundai Motor Group, Motional is at the forefront of the physical AI revolution. Motional isn’t just building first-of-its-kind technology; we are transforming transportation to create safer streets and more sustainable mobility options.

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 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:

We are seeking a highly skilled Systems Engineer to play a critical role in designing, evaluating, and improving the complex interactions between autonomy, remote operations, and customer facing software components. This engineer will be responsible for both setting and measuring the performance targets necessary to launch a successful Robotaxi service.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Developing Complex Systems and System-of-Systems Architectures: Define architecture, requirements, and interfaces for Remote Operation, Fleet Orchestration, and Mapping systems.
• Design the Interface between Humans and Physical AI: Design systems and processes for the continuous improvement of the interface between the Autonomy Stack, Operators, and Customers.
• Evaluate Performance and Target Metrics: Utilize data pipelines, simulation suites, and V&V campaigns to evaluate the performance of the system, and its ability to meet key metrics.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Serve as a primary point of contact for systems, software, AI, Remote Operations, simulation, and validation teams to understand needs and improve systems like Perception, Prediction, and Planning.
• Document and Share Knowledge: Create clear documentation for operations and customer experience workflows, and effectively model, document, and communicate complex interactions between systems.
• Advance Technical Expertise: Proactively evaluate and integrate new technologies and methodologies relevant to autonomous vehicles and systems engineering.

What We’re Looking For:

• 5+ years of Systems engineering experience and a Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or a related field; a Master's degree is a plus.
• Strong proficiency in Python and a strong understanding of modern software development principles and production best practices.
• Experience with complex systems interfaces, ICDs, and interface design.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in the context of complex system performance evaluation and data analysis.
• Proficiency with Git and standard version control workflows.
• Experience with high availability infrastructure, customer experience/HMI, or mapping/routing for AV fleets.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts and results to diverse audiences (engineers, product managers, leadership).
• Proven ability to work both independently and effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to data quality, accuracy, and rigorous testing.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, agile, continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) environment.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Experience working with autonomous vehicle sensor data (e.g., LiDAR, camera, radar).
• Experience working with autonomous vehicle planning and localization.
• Familiarity with simulation environments and data generated from AV simulations.
• Experience with creating V&V strategies and test campaigns.
• Experience creating and working with simulation and regression suites for AVs or Robotics.
• Experience with data pipeline and visualization tools (e.g., databricks, Looker) for presenting performance metrics.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis and machine learning techniques relevant to performance evaluation.
• Experience with Human-Machine Interfaces, and User Experience studies.
• Familiarity with safety standards such as UL 4600, ISO 26262, ISO 21448, ISO/PAS 8800

Success Metrics:

• Contribution to the overall advancement and safety of our autonomous vehicle technology.
• Successful design and implementation of key autonomous vehicle performance metrics, across complex system interfaces.
• Improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of AV performance evaluation processes.
• Timely and accurate delivery of data and insights to AV development teams.

This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact at Motional by enhancing our evaluation platform and accelerating development speed for our industry-leading autonomous vehicle metrics and capabilities ecosystem. We take pride in having some of the brightest and most dedicated talent in the world on our team. If you’re innovative, driven, and eager to tackle challenges, we’d love to have you join us!

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 (up to 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 particles. The noise level in the environment is low to moderate.

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.

Salary Range

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.

$172,000 — $229,000 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.