Task & Motion Planning Engineer

EVONA; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid time off

401(k) match

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Job summary

Lunar Outpost in Denver is seeking a Task and Motion Planning Engineer to advance autonomous decision-making for lunar rovers and orbital assets. You will design, implement, and test software to coordinate cross-domain autonomous systems across space and Earth-relevant applications.

The role emphasizes collaboration with engineering teams, field testing, and continuous improvement of the autonomy stack, with a focus on safety, reliability, and performance in extreme environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Robotics Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years in autonomy software for autonomous systems, with navigation, perception, or belief space planning experience.
• Experience with Markov decision processes, multi-agent planning, motion planning methods, and belief space planning.
• Proficiency in C++, Python, and familiarity with ROS.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of decentralized decision-making algorithms for lunar rovers and orbital assets.
• Develop and implement robust software enabling autonomous operations in challenging lunar environments.
• Collaborate with systems, mechanical, electrical, and thermal engineering teams to integrate autonomy software with hardware.
• Utilize simulation techniques to improve autonomous system performance and reliability in space.
• Conduct field tests and simulations to validate and refine algorithms and software systems.
• Ensure software adheres to safety, reliability, and performance standards in space exploration contexts.
• Develop and maintain ICDs and verification plans; participate in design reviews and risk assessments.
• Stay at the forefront of autonomy and robotics technology and incorporate advancements.

Skills

C++

Python

ROS

Navigation

Motion planning

Multi-agent

Communication

Agile teams

Education

Bachelor in CS/Robotics

Tools

Docker

VirtualBox

VxWorks

cFS

ROS

Job description

Are you passionate about shaping the future of humanity's presence in space? Lunar Outpost, a trailblazer in space robotics, invites you to join our team! Lunar Outpost is dedicated to creating a sustainable presence in space, while also driving positive impacts here on Earth. We are seeking a talented, experienced Task and Motion Planning Engineer.

As a Task and Motion Planning Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the development of cutting-edge decision making and planning systems for our lunar rovers and orbital assets. Working at the intersection of autonomy, robotics, and space exploration, you will design, develop, and implement sophisticated software solutions that enable coordination of cross-domain autonomous systems. Your work will not only contribute to groundbreaking missions but also to technologies that have the potential to benefit humanity on Earth. Collaborating with cross-disciplinary engineering teams, you will help drive the integration of these systems into a unified, state-of-the-art autonomy stack, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space exploration.

Take the #NextLeap with Lunar Outpost and work on the Pegasus LTV, which will carry NASA astronauts farther than they've ever been before on the lunar surface!

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of decentralized decision‑making algorithms for lunar rovers and orbital assets
• Develop and implement robust software capable of enabling autonomous operations in challenging lunar environments
• Collaborate with systems, mechanical, electrical, and thermal engineering teams to integrate and optimize autonomy software with asset hardware
• Utilize simulation techniques to improve autonomous system performance and reliability under various conditions in space
• Conduct field tests and simulations to validate and refine algorithms and software systems
• Ensure software systems adhere to industry standards for safety, reliability, and performance in space exploration contexts
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including ICDs and verification plans
• Participate in design reviews, trade studies, and technical risk assessments
• Stay at the forefront of autonomy and robotics technology, incorporating the latest advancements into our projects

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Robotics Engineering, or related field
• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in developing autonomy software for autonomous systems, with a proven track record in navigation, perception, or belief space planning. Applicants should have expertise in at least one of the following areas:
• Methods for solving Markov decision processes (e.g., value iterate, Monte Carlo tree search, reinforcement learning)
• Coordinated planning and control of multi‑agent systems
• Motion planning methods (e.g., A*, FMM, RRT)
• Belief space planning (e.g., BRM, RRBT)
• Tasking and scheduling
• Orbital planning and control algorithms
• Expertise in programming languages such as C++, Python, and familiarity with ROS (Robot Operating System)
• Comfortable working in research‑oriented, agile, and interdisciplinary teams
• Track record of innovation in networking, robotics, or space systems, as demonstrated by patents, publications, or significant project achievements
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical concepts and collaborate across various engineering disciplines

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in a field relevant to autonomy or robotics directly applicable to autonomous navigation and guidance
• Experience with autonomous systems in space, or other extreme, unstructured, environments.
• Familiarity with space operating systems (e.g., VxWorks) and software (e.g., cFS)
• Familiarity with containers (e.g., Docker) and virtualization software (e.g., VirtualBox)
• Experience with the end‑to‑end development and deployment of network software systems in space exploration missions

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation level and base salary are competitively structured and thoughtfully determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and the scope of the role.

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer
• Paid time off: Three (3) weeks per year of vacation
• Retirement plan: Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions
• Paid holidays: 11 company‑recognized holidays
• Parental leave
• Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development

Lunar Outpost Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Lunar Outpost Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employees, including executives and human resources personnel, are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and treat others with dignity and respect in accordance with this policy.