Staff Software Engineer - AMR Planning & Controls

General Motors; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors in Sunnyvale, California, seeks a Senior or Staff Robotics Planning and Control Engineer to lead motion and behavior planning, path generation, and real-time control for autonomous robotic systems.

You will collaborate with localization, perception, and hardware teams to ensure seamless integration across the robotics software stack and contribute to offline/simulation-based validation, SIL/HIL testing, and architectural decisions for a robust autonomy stack.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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, enabling 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 to ensure seamless integration across the robotics software stack.
• Use offline and simulation-based tools to evaluate, benchmark, and validate planning and control algorithms.
• Contribute to testing and validation workflows, including software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and field testing.
• Provide technical leadership, mentor team members, and help define software architecture and engineering best practices for planning and control.

Skills

C++

Python

Motion planning

Control systems

Numerical optimization

Real-time software

Robotics

Education

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral in robotics/CS/EE/ME

Tools

ROS/ROS 2

Navigation2

Simulation frameworks

HIL/SIL

Job description

Job Description

At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard—from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.

Every day, our products move millions of people as we work to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.

The Robotics Software team is building the next generation of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and intelligent robotic platforms. We develop full-stack capabilities—from perception and planning to control and system integration—to deliver innovative solutions that shape the future of work.

We’re seeking a highly skilled Senior or Staff Robotics Planning and Control Engineer to provide technical leadership in developing advanced robotics systems. You’ll design, implement, and integrate algorithms for behavioral planning, path planning, and motion control.

This role spans the full software development lifecycle and involves close collaboration with hardware, localization, and perception teams. Beyond algorithm development, you’ll help shape a robust autonomy stack and build tools for evaluation, validation, and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Do

• 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, enabling 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 to ensure seamless integration across the robotics software stack.
• Use offline and simulation-based tools to evaluate, benchmark, and validate planning and control algorithms.
• Contribute to testing and validation workflows, including software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and field testing.
• Provide technical leadership, mentor team members, and help define software architecture and engineering best practices for planning and control.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

From day one, we’re looking out for your well-being-at work and at home-so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.