Staff Software Engineer, Trajectory Generation & Controls

Stack AV Co; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Remote; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Stack AV Co is seeking a Staff Software Engineer for Trajectory Generation & Controls in Pittsburgh, PA or Remote. You will lead design-to-delivery of motion planning and control features for autonomous trucks, working across Autonomy, Systems Engineering and Operations teams.

Strong C++/Python and real-time safety-critical software experience are essential. The role emphasizes safety, rigorous engineering, and collaboration with multiple teams to deliver robust solutions in real-world

Qualifications

• BS in CS/EE/ME (MS/PhD a plus).
• 5+ years of software engineering experience.
• Experience building motion planning and/or control systems for real world applications.
• Knowledge of model predictive control or real-time trajectory generation.
• Knowledge of vehicle dynamics, system identification and real-time control algorithms.
• Fluent in modern C++.
• Experience with Python.

Responsibilities

• Own the delivery of TG&C features from design to integration, ensuring a safe and comfortable vehicle experience.
• Provide input to team roadmaps and ensure timely delivery of features.
• Work closely with systems engineers to deliver a well-tested product.
• Write state-of-the-art software using C++ and Python; extensive unit testing and simulation.
• Collaborate with Autonomy teams to design and deploy robust autonomous driving solutions.
• Participate in design iterations and align stakeholders with strong communication.

Skills

Motion Planning

Control Systems

Real-time Software

C++

Python

Education

BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or closely related field

MS or PhD is a plus

Job description

Staff Software Engineer, Trajectory Generation & Controls

Pittsburgh, PA or Remote

About Stack:

Stack is developing revolutionary AI and advanced autonomous systems designed to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency of modern operations. Stack's autonomous technology incorporates cutting‑edge advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, and cloud technologies, empowering us to create innovative solutions that address the needs and challenges of the dynamic trucking transportation industry. With decades of experience creating and deploying real world systems for demanding environments, the Stack team is dedicated to developing an autonomous solution ecosystem tailored to the trucking industry's unique demands.

The Trajectory Generation and Controls (TG&C) team owns the trajectory generation, optimization and controls components that power how autonomous trucks drive. You are a great fit if you have real world experience with Motion Planning, Optimization and/or Controls, as well as a proven record deploying real‑time, safety critical software to production. In this role you will work in all phases of the software development cycle, from solution design to implementation and deployment. You will collaborate with various teams in Autonomy, Systems Engineering and Operations, fostering a culture of safety, principled engineering and a customer oriented mindset.

Responsibilities:

• Own the delivery of TG&C features from design to integration, providing a well controlled, safe and comfortable vehicle experience.
• Provide input to team roadmaps and ensure timely delivery of features.
• Work closely with systems engineers to ensure a safe, well tested product is delivered.
• Write state of the art software, using modern C++ and Python. Make extensive use of unit testing, simulation, and log simulation.
• Work closely with other Autonomy teams (Constraint Generation, Trajectory Selection, World Fusion, Prediction, Perception, Localization, Calibration, ...) to design and deploy robust solutions, encompassing all aspects of autonomous driving.
• Be involved in design and iteration exercises, and help to align stakeholders by using strong presentation and communication skills.

Qualifications:

• BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or closely related field. MS or PhD is a plus.
• 5+ years of software engineering experience.
• Experience building motion planning and/or control systems for real world applications. Experience with large ground vehicles is a plus.
• Knowledge and experience with optimal control or dynamic optimization, especially in the context of model predictive control or real‑time trajectory generation. Experience with optimization algorithms (e.g., sequential quadratic programming, interior point methods) is a plus.
• Knowledge and experience with vehicle dynamics, system identification and real‑time control algorithms. Experience with tooling and metrics is a plus.
• Fluent in modern C++.
• Experience with Python.

#LI-AW1

We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We believe that diverse teams produce the best ideas and outcomes. We are committed to building a culture of inclusion, entrepreneurship, and innovation across gender, race, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and identity.

Please Note: Pursuant to its business activities and use of technology, Stack AV complies with all applicable U.S. national security laws, regulations, and administrative requirements, which can restrict Stack AV’s ability to employ certain persons in certain positions pursuant to a range of national security‑related requirements. As such, this position may be contingent upon Stack AV verifying a candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status. This position may also involve working with software and technologies subject to U.S. export control regulations. Under these regulations, it may be necessary for Stack AV to obtain a U.S. government export license prior to releasing its technologies to certain persons. If Stack AV determines that a candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status will require a license, prohibit the candidate from working in this position, or otherwise be subject to national security‑related restrictions, Stack AV expressly reserves the right to either consider the candidate for a different position that is not subject to such restrictions, on whatever terms and conditions Stack AV shall establish in its sole discretion, or, in the alternative, decline to move forward with the candidate’s application.