Tech Specialist, Planning & Control, Dream Drive

Lucid Motors; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 179,000 - 263,000; Full time

Job summary

Lucid Motors is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to support the auto‑parking and low‑speed autonomy stack in Newark, CA. This on‑site role focuses on trajectory optimization, path smoothing, and local planning for features like Auto Park and Summon.

You will combine strong algorithmic foundations with production‑grade software, drive system optimization, and collaborate across teams to improve planning performance and scalability in real‑world driving conditions.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Robotics, Control, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 5–8+ years of software development experience in autonomous driving, ADAS, or robotics.
• Strong programming skills in C/C++ with solid understanding of software engineering design principles and best practices.
• Hands‑on experience with software integration on embedded platforms (e.g., NVIDIA Xavier/Orin, Infineon Aurix).
• Demonstrated ability to build reliable production‑grade systems, including large‑scale architectures, evaluation pipelines, and performance‑optimized models.
• Leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Motion Planning & Trajectory Optimization: develop and enhance trajectory optimization algorithms for low-speed scenarios and improve local planners to generate control-friendly trajectories.
• System Architecture & Performance Optimization: refactor and scale planning stack architecture, optimize CPU usage, and explore parallel/GPU acceleration opportunities.
• Debugging, Validation, and Production Integration: investigate and resolve curvature discontinuities, velocity/trajectory mismatches, and edge-case steering behaviors; validate via simulation and logs.
• Research, Prototyping, and Innovation: evaluate new approaches including ML-driven planning; benchmark and improve planning viability for production.
• Cross‑Team Collaboration & Knowledge Transfer: drive technical discussions, maintain documentation, and track work via Jira.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded systems

Autonomous driving

Real-time systems

Leadership

Education

MS/PhD in Robotics or related field

Tools

NVIDIA Xavier/Orin

Infineon Aurix

Job description

About Lucid

At Lucid, we are creating exceptional mobility experiences through innovation to drive the world forward. Built on Lucid’s proprietary technology and software‑defined vehicle architecture, our award‑winning vehicles bring our “Compromise Nothing™” approach to the global automotive market. That means refusing to choose between performance and sustainability, design and engineering, ambition and integrity. In Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity, we have designed and built vehicles that have redefined their segments, combining exceptional range, performance, design, and expansive space in a single experience.

We achieve this through deep vertical integration, with design, engineering, and production happening in‑house across our global offices and manufacturing facilities. Our teams come from industries around the world, united by a shared commitment to excellence. By refusing to settle, you can help redefine what’s possible and shape the future of mobility.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer to support the auto‑parking and low‑speed autonomy stack. This role focuses on trajectory optimization, path smoothing, and local planning, with direct impact on parking features such as Auto Park, Summon, and Park‑to‑Park. The ideal candidate will combine strong algorithmic foundations with production‑grade software execution, driving both system performance and scalability. This role is based in Newark, CA, and requires employees to be onsite five days a week.

Key Responsibilities

• Motion Planning & Trajectory Optimization
  • Develop and enhance trajectory optimization algorithms (e.g., iLQR / MPC‑based approaches) for low‑speed scenarios
  • Design and implement constraint‑aware optimization, including
  • Improve local planners to generate control‑friendly trajectories
• System Architecture & Performance Optimization
  • Refactor and scale planning stack architecture for maintainability and extensibility
  • Optimize CPU usage and explore parallel/GPU acceleration opportunities
  • Improve system‑level behaviors such as:
    • Stability under dynamic constraints
    • Scalability across scenarios and vehicle platforms
• Debugging, Validation, and Production Integration
  • Investigate and resolve real‑world issues such as: Curvature discontinuities, velocity/trajectory mismatches, and edge‑case steering behavior
  • Validate solutions using:
    • Simulation and vehicle logs
    • Multi‑scenario testing and benchmarking
• Research, Prototyping, and Innovation
  • Evaluate and prototype new approaches (e.g., learned models, barrier functions, ML‑based planning)
  • Benchmark and compare planning algorithms for production viability
  • Contribute to next‑gen planning initiatives, including ML‑driven planning
• Cross‑Team Collaboration & Knowledge Transfer
  • Drive technical discussions and share algorithm insights across teams
  • Maintain high‑quality documentation and support knowledge transfer
  • Track work via Jira with clear metrics and reproducible results

Required Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Robotics, Control, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 5‑8+ years of software development experience in autonomous driving, ADAS, or robotics, with a focus on large‑scale data and real‑time systems
• Strong programming skills in C/C++ with solid understanding of software engineering design principles and best practices
• Proven track record of delivering ADAS/AD features through the full production lifecycle: requirements analysis, architecture/design, implementation, unit testing, feature tuning, SIL/HIL validation, and in‑vehicle deployment
• Hands‑on experience with software integration on embedded platforms (e.g., NVIDIA Xavier/Orin, Infineon Aurix)
• Demonstrated ability to build reliable production‑grade systems, including large‑scale architectures, evaluation pipelines, and performance‑optimized models
• Leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications

• ML‑based planning approaches
• GPU or parallel computing for planning
• Track record of production deployment in real vehicles

Equal Opportunity

At Lucid, we don’t just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.

Salary Range

Base Pay Range (Annual)

$179,400 — $263,120 USD

Compensation & Benefits

Lucid offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays, paid sick leave; and a401(k) retirementplan. Hourly/non‑exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours paid time off, and salaried/exempt employee accrue up to 160 hours paid time off. Eligible employees may also participatein Lucid’s equity program and/or a discretionary annual cash incentive program. Incentive and equity awards, if applicable, are determinedbased on individual performance, role scope, market considerations, and overall company results, in accordance withthe terms of the applicable plans.

Accessibility

Lucid Motors is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need any accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at TA-Operations <@> lucidmotors.com.

This email address is designated solely for accommodation requests and is not monitored for job applications or resume submissions. To be considered for employment, all applications must be submitted through the Lucid Motors Careers website.

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