Software Engineer, Motion Planning

DiDi; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 235,000; Full time

Job summary

DiDi's autonomous driving unit is hiring a Software Engineer / Sr. Software Engineer to build the core decision-making and motion planning for our autonomous vehicles.

You will develop algorithms enabling safe, intelligent navigation from high-level planning to low-level trajectory optimization, collaborating with Prediction, Perception, and Control teams. Candidates should have a solid background in robotics and C++, with experience in autonomous systems and automotive software development.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in CS, Robotics, or related field.
• Experience in autonomous systems or automotive software.
• Strong C++ and real-time algorithm skills.
• Knowledge of motion planning, trajectory optimization, and world reasoning.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement core motion planning logic for high-level actions (lane changes, merges, yields).
• Develop and optimize motion planning algorithms for behavioral decisions; integrate geometry and velocity reasoning.
• Architect and enhance the geometry system for generating feasible paths.
• Architect and refine the velocity system for context-aware, safe velocity profiles.
• Model driving scenarios and world interactions to support the behavioral planner.
• Design trajectory costs to balance ETAs, comfort, and safety.
• Conduct analysis, testing, and debugging across scenarios; lead root cause investigations.
• Collaborate with Prediction, Perception, and Control teams to ensure end-to-end motion flow.

Skills

C++ real-time

Robotics fundamentals

Decision-making

Motion planning

Trajectory optimization

Cost design

Education

B.S./M.S. in Computer Science, Robotics, or related field

Job description

About The Company

DiDi's autonomous driving unit was established in 2016 with the mission of developing Level 4 autonomous driving (AD) technology to make transportation safer and more efficient. In August 2019, the unit became an independent company, DiDi Autonomous Driving, dedicated to advanced AD R&D, product application, and business expansion. We believe integrating AD technology into a shared-mobility fleet will generate immense social value. By leveraging DiDi's specialized technology, operational expertise, and integrated ecosystem, we are positioned to build and operate a highly efficient, user-oriented autonomous fleet.

About The Company

DiDi's autonomous driving unit was established in 2016 with the mission of developing Level 4 autonomous driving (AD) technology to make transportation safer and more efficient. In August 2019, the unit became an independent company, DiDi Autonomous Driving, dedicated to advanced AD R&D, product application, and business expansion. We believe integrating AD technology into a shared-mobility fleet will generate immense social value. By leveraging DiDi's specialized technology, operational expertise, and integrated ecosystem, we are positioned to build and operate a highly efficient, user-oriented autonomous fleet.

About The Role

We are seeking a Software Engineer /Sr. Software Engineer to join our team and develop the core decision-making and motion planning systems for our autonomous vehicles. In this role, you will be responsible for creating the algorithms that enable smooth, safe, and intelligent navigation in complex environments. You will tackle challenges across the full motion planning stack, from high-level behavioral reasoning to low-level trajectory optimization.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement the core motion planning logic that determines the vehicle's high-level actions (e.g., lane changes, merges, yields, and interactions with other agents).
• Develop and optimize the motion planning algorithms that execute behavioral decisions, integrating Geometry Reasoning (path) and Speed Reasoning (velocity) into a cohesive trajectory.
• Architect and enhance the geometry system for generating geometrically feasible and compliant paths.
• Architect and refine the velocity system for generating context-aware, comfortable, and safe velocity profiles.
• Model complex driving scenarios and agent interactions to create a robust world model for the behavioral planner.
• Design different costs for trajectory ranking to trade off ETAs, comfort and safety of the vehicle behaviors.
• Conduct in-depth analysis, testing, and debugging of the system's performance in various scenarios, leading root cause investigations.
• Collaborate with Prediction, Perception, and Control teams to ensure a seamless flow from environmental understanding to physical vehicle motion.

Qualifications

• B.S./M.S. in Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field.
• Experience in autonomous systems, robotics, or automotive software development.
• Strong proficiency in C++ for implementing complex, real-time algorithms.
• Solid understanding of robotics fundamentals, including decision-making, motion planning, control theory, trajectory ranking, search and optimization algorithms etc.
• Related experience in one or more of the following: motion planning, trajectory optimization and world environment reasoning, trajectory ranking and cost design.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD or internship experience related to robotics planning system designs.
• Knowledge of vehicle dynamics and longitudinal/lateral control systems.
• Solid understanding of machine learning principles, reinforcement learning and related algorithms.

The base salary range for the Software Engineer position is $141,463–$235,182 annually, and for the Senior Software Engineer position is $169,783–$282,264 annually, in addition to bonus, equity, and benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by the role, level, and location. Within the applicable range, individual compensation is based on the work location as well as other factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and training.

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