Software Engineer - Planner Motion

Foster City, CA
Software – Motion Planning & Control /
Full-time /
On-site
Decision-making and motion planning in uncertain and dynamic environments are the primary responsibilities of a robotaxi’s software architecture. From there, various actuators must be controlled to precisely maneuver the robot according to the planned trajectory.

The Planner Motion team develops motion planning techniques and control algorithms for a safe and comfortable ride experience based on the capabilities of our unique bidirectional vehicle platform. We’re seeking a software engineer with an advanced degree and experience building real-time motion planning and control algorithms for autonomous vehicles.

In this role, you will:

    • Create principled algorithmic improvements to specific areas of driving behavior and implement those changes in our code base.
    • Lead on-vehicle drive reviews to generate actionable feedback on driving performance. Use this experience to help the team learn and make improvements. 
    • Attend conferences and survey literature to stay informed on the most recent developments in the fields of Robotics and Motion Planning.

Qualification

    • Programming skills in C++
    • Master's degree in computer science or related field
    • Understanding of vehicle dynamics and controls  
    • Extensive experience with programming and algorithm design
    • Strong mathematical and geometrical skills
    • at least 5 years of relevant experience

Bonus Qualification

    • Significant contributions to geometric- and/or sampling-based planning algorithms
    • Practical experience with autonomous vehicles
    • Experience with pose estimation and 3D data
Compensation
There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. The salary will range from $173,000 to $278,000. A sign-on bonus may be part of a compensation package. Compensation will vary based on geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  

Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.

About Zoox
Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.

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Accommodations
If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to accommodations@zoox.com or your assigned recruiter.

A Final Note:
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.