Staff Motion Planning Engineer - Trajectory Generation

Motional; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Boston is seeking a senior C++ engineer to architect motion planning and trajectory optimization solutions. You will own scalable software design impacting on-road performance and establish code quality benchmarks.

The role emphasizes technical ownership, leading large-scale initiatives, and shaping modern toolchains for rapid development. Strong MPC and optimization background is required with Python as a bonus.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of production-grade C++ software development experience.
• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree preferred in Robotics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven technical ownership with a track record of defining, scaling, and leading large-scale technical development initiatives.
• Deep experience with Model Predictive Control (MPC), motion planning architectures, vehicle dynamics/control, and closed-loop simulation environments.
• Mathematical understanding of non-linear and numerical optimization algorithms.
• Experience deploying and customizing numerical optimization solvers in real-time environments.
• Strong knowledge of Python for simulation and rapid prototyping is considered a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Architect state-of-the-art solutions for motion planning and trajectory optimization algorithms.
• Own the design of scalable software that impacts on-road performance.
• Establish code quality benchmarks and lead architectural code/design reviews.
• Define modern development toolchains for rapid development cycles.

Skills

C++ development

MPC

Motion planning

Leadership

Code reviews

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

PhD Degree

Tools

Development Toolchains

Simulation Environments

Numerical Optimization Solvers

Job description

Responsibilities

• Architect state‑of‑the‑art solutions for motion planning and trajectory optimization algorithms.
• Own the design of scalable software that impacts on‑road performance.
• Establish code quality benchmarks and lead architectural code/design reviews.
• Define modern development toolchains for rapid development cycles.

Requirements

• 5+ years of production‑grade C++ software development experience.
• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree preferred in Robotics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven technical ownership with a track record of defining, scaling, and leading large‑scale technical development initiatives.
• Deep experience with Model Predictive Control (MPC), motion planning architectures, vehicle dynamics/control, and closed‑loop simulation environments.
• Mathematical understanding of non‑linear and numerical optimization algorithms.
• Experience deploying and customizing numerical optimization solvers in real‑time environments.
• Strong knowledge of Python for simulation and rapid prototyping is considered a bonus.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in architecting advanced motion planning and trajectory optimization solutions, with a strong foundation in C++ software development and mathematical optimization techniques. Proven ability to lead technical initiatives and establish code quality standards in a collaborative environment.

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• PhD Degree

Tools & Technologies

• Development Toolchains
• Simulation Environments
• Numerical Optimization Solvers

Soft Skills

• Technical Ownership
• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Code Review
• Communication