Staff Software Engineer – AMR Planning & Controls

Jobtailor; California (MO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a senior robotics software engineer to lead motion planning, planning and control algorithms for autonomous robotic systems. You will optimize real-time planning software and collaborate across localization, perception, and hardware teams to deliver reliable autonomous platforms.

Applicants should have a degree in robotics/CS/EE/ME with 5+ years in robotics, strong C++/Python, ROS/ROS 2, Navigation2, and experience with SIL/HIL testing and CI/CD pipelines.

Qualifications

• Degree in robotics, CS, EE, ME, or related field.
• 5+ years in motion planning or autonomy for real robots.
• Experience with optimization techniques or advanced robotics algorithms.
• Strong C++ and Python programming skills.
• RT performance and safety-critical software practices.
• Familiarity with ROS/ROS 2 and Navigation2.
• Experience with simulation, HIL, and CI/CD workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and deployment of motion planning and control algorithms.
• Develop path-planning and trajectory-generation under kinematic/dynamic constraints.
• Ensure safe operation in dynamic environments.
• Collaborate with localization, perception, and hardware teams.
• Evaluate and validate planning algorithms with SIL/HIL and simulations.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor team members.
• Define software architecture and best practices for planning and control.
• Support full software development lifecycle for autonomous platforms.

Skills

Motion Planning

Control Algorithms

Real-Time Software

Technical Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in related field

Tools

ROS/ROS 2

Navigation2

Simulation Tools

SIL/HIL

CI/CD Pipelines

Job description

• Lead the design, implementation, and deployment of motion planning, behavioral planning, and control algorithms for autonomous robotic systems
• Develop path-planning and trajectory-generation algorithms subject to kinematic and dynamic constraints
• Enable safe and efficient operation in dynamic environments
• Optimize planning and control software for real-time performance and hardware limitations
• Collaborate with localization, perception, and hardware teams across the robotics software stack
• Use offline and simulation-based tools to evaluate, benchmark, and validate planning and control algorithms
• Contribute to software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and field-testing workflows
• Provide technical leadership and mentor team members
• Help define software architecture and engineering best practices for planning and control
• Work across the full software development lifecycle to build autonomous mobile robot and intelligent robotic platform capabilities

Requirements

• Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in robotics, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field
• At least five years of experience in motion planning, controls, or autonomy for real-world robotics systems or autonomous vehicles
• Experience with numerical optimization techniques, such as nonlinear constrained optimization and model predictive control, or advanced robotics algorithms
• Strong programming skills in C++ and Python
• Proven ability to develop computationally efficient software that meets real-time performance requirements
• Solid understanding of robotics systems, including localization, mapping, planning, and control
• Hands‑on experience designing and implementing robotic or vehicle systems
• Knowledge of ROS/ROS 2 and navigation frameworks such as Navigation2
• Experience with simulation frameworks, HIL testing, and CI/CD pipelines
• Understanding of safety‑critical software development practices
• Background in autonomous vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), or industrial automation
• Applicants may be required to successfully complete role‑related assessments and/or pre‑employment screening prior to beginning employment

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in motion planning, control algorithms, and real-time software optimization for autonomous robotic systems. Proficient in C++ and Python, with a solid understanding of robotics systems and safety‑critical software development practices.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Motion Planning
• Control Algorithms
• C++ Programming
• Python Programming
• ROS/ROS 2

Hard Skills

• Motion Planning
• Control Algorithms
• Numerical Optimization Techniques
• Real-Time Software Development
• Robotics Systems Design
• Simulation Frameworks
• HIL Testing
• CI/CD Pipelines
• Kinematic Constraints
• Dynamic Constraints

Soft Skills

• Technical Leadership
• Mentoring

Industry Keywords

• Autonomous Vehicles
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
• Industrial Automation

Tools & Technologies

• ROS/ROS 2
• Navigation2
• Simulation Tools
• Software-in-the-Loop (SIL)
• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL)