Software Engineer, Motion Planning New San Jose, CA

Didi Labs; San Jose, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 282,000; Full time

Job summary

DiDi Autonomous Driving is seeking a Software Engineer or Senior Software Engineer to join the team and develop the core decision-making and motion planning systems for our autonomous vehicles. You will tackle challenges from high-level behavioral reasoning to low-level trajectory optimization.

In this role you will implement and optimize the motion planning logic, integrate geometry and velocity reasoning, and collaborate with Prediction, Perception, and Control teams to deliver safe, smooth

Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in C++ for real-time algorithms.
• Background in autonomous systems or robotics software.
• Knowledge of motion planning, decision making, and trajectory optimization.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement core motion planning logic for high-level actions.
• Develop and optimize motion planning algorithms integrating geometry and velocity reasoning.
• Architect and enhance geometry and velocity systems for safe navigation.
• Model driving scenarios and interactions to build a robust world model.
• Collaborate with Prediction, Perception, and Control teams for end-to-end flow.

Skills

C++

Autonomous systems

Robotics fundamentals

Motion planning

Trajectory optimization

Education

B.S./M.S. in Computer Science, Robotics

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 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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