Staff Motion Planning Engineer - Autonomy Stack

Lucid Motors; Newark (CA); Hybrid; USD 179,000 - 263,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity program

Discretionary annual cash incentive

Job summary

Lucid Motors is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to advance auto-parking and low-speed autonomy with trajectory optimization and local planning. Based in Newark, CA, this role requires onsite presence five days a week. You will push production-grade software for parking features and scale complex planning pipelines.

The ideal candidate brings ML-aware planning experience, strong C/C++, and leadership, with a track record of deploying ADAS/Autonomy features in real vehicles.

Qualifications

• MS or Ph.D. in Robotics, Control, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 5‑8+ years of software development experience in autonomous driving, ADAS, or robotics.
• Strong programming skills in C/C++ with solid design principles.
• Proven track record delivering ADAS/AD features through full production lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Motion Planning & Trajectory Optimization using iLQR/MPC-based approaches.
• Refactor and scale planning stack architecture for maintainability and extensibility.
• Debugging, validation, and production integration including real-world issues and logs.
• Research, prototyping, and innovation in ML-based planning and future openings.
• Cross-team collaboration and knowledge transfer with Jira-based tracking.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded platforms

Leadership experience

Autonomous driving experience

Education

MS or PhD in Robotics, Control, Electrical Engineering

Tools

NVIDIA Xavier/Orin

Infineon Aurix

Job description

About Lucid

At Lucid, we are creating exceptional mobility experiences through innovation to drive the world forward. Built on Lucid’s proprietary technology and software-defined vehicle architecture, our award-winning vehicles bring our “Compromise Nothing™” approach to the global automotive market. That means refusing to choose between performance and sustainability, design and engineering, ambition and integrity. In Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity, we have designed and built vehicles that have redefined their segments, combining exceptional range, performance, design, and expansive space in a single experience.

We achieve this through deep vertical integration, with design, engineering, and productionhappening in-houseacross our global offices andmanufacturingfacilities.Ourteamscomefromindustriesaround the world, united by a shared commitment to excellence.By refusing to settle, youcanhelpredefinewhat’spossible andshape the future of mobility.

We are seeking a Technical Specialist - Motion Planning and Controls Engineer, Autonomous Driving to design, develop, and deploy industry-leading planning and control algorithms for next-generation driver assistance and autonomous systems.

This position is based in Newark, CA and requires onsite presence five days a week.

The Role:

As a Tech Specialist Motion Planning and Controls Engineer, you will play a key role in developing high-performance motion planning and control features for Lucid’s ADAS and autonomous driving systems. You’ll work across software, hardware, and systems teams to ensure robust design, testing, and deployment of production-grade lateral and longitudinal control algorithms.

Responsibilities:

Design, prototype, test, and deploy motion planning and control algorithms for ADAS and autonomous driving systems.

Implement state-of-the-art approaches to trajectory planning, route planning, and real-time control.

Develop and tune classical and modern controllers (e.g., LQR, MPC, PID, Adaptive, Robust) for both lateral and longitudinal vehicle dynamics.

Conduct model-based design and validation using MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools.

Participate in the full development cycle, from simulation and SIL/HIL testing to in-vehicle implementation and release.

Collaborate closely with systems, validation, perception, and platform teams to ensure safe and seamless software integration.

Contribute to architectural decisions, safety assessments, and product scalability.

Required Qualifications:

Phd/MS in Automotive, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

8+ years of experience in simulation, robotics, or autonomous systems, with significant time spent on ADAS/AD domain.

Deep knowledge of control system design and real-time implementation using modern control approaches (e.g., LQR, MPC).

Proven experience deploying lateral and longitudinal controllers in a production or research vehicle environment.

Proficiency in modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink).

Solid understanding of ADAS/AD systems, robotics, and vehicle dynamics.

Strong communication skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, and MATLAB.

Experience with middleware frameworks like ROS.

Familiarity with AUTOSAR and embedded software development practices.

Experience in bench testing, SIL/HIL integration, and scenario-based simulation.

Knowledge of safety standards and automotive system regulations (e.g., ISO 26262).

Experience in agile development environments, version control (e.g., Git), static code analysis and CI/CD for large-scale automated regression testing.

At Lucid, we don’t just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.

Salary Range: The compensation range for this position is specific to the locations listed below and is the range Lucid reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job-related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; and other relevant business and organizational factors.

Base Pay Range (Annual)

$179,400—$263,120 USD

Compensation & Benefits:Lucid offers a comprehensive and competitivebenefits packageincluding medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays, paid sick leave; and a401(k) retirementplan. Hourly/non-exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours paid time off, and salaried/exempt employee accrue up to 160 hours paid time off.Eligible employees may alsoparticipatein Lucid’s equity program and/or a discretionary annual cash incentive program. Incentive and equity awards, if applicable, aredeterminedbased on individual performance, role scope, market considerations, and overall company results,in accordance withthe terms of the applicable plans.

Equal Opportunity: At Lucid, we believe diversity strengthens everything we build. Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive workplace for all. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal laws and regulations.

Accessibility:Lucid Motors is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need anyaccommodation toparticipatein the application process, please contact us atTA-Operations <@> lucidmotors.com. This email address is designated solely for accommodation requests and is not monitored for job applications or resume submissions. To be considered for employment, all applications must be submitted through the Lucid Motors Careers website.

Candidate Data Privacy:Bysubmittingyour application, you understand and agree that your personal data will be processedin accordance withourCandidate Privacy Notice.

To all recruitment agencies:Lucid Motors does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to Lucid Motors. Lucid Motors is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.