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Director Autonomous Driving Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA

Senior Motion Planning Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$172K - $229K/yr

Lead the research and development of novel algorithms for motion planning in autonomous driving ... PhD preferred in Robotics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a ...

Senior Motion Planning Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$172K - $229K/yr

Lead the research and development of novel algorithms for motion planning in autonomous driving ... PhD preferred in Robotics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a ...

New

Senior Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$113K - $155K/yr

... autonomous driving tasks. * Collaborate with ML (Machine Learning) infrastructure teams and ... engineering principles such as configuration management, source control, build processes, code ...

Showing results 21-40

Director Autonomous Driving Engineer information

See Boston, MA salary details

$79.3K

$211.5K

$275.9K

How much do director autonomous driving engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for director autonomous driving engineer in Boston, MA is $211,532.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $153,700.00 and $274,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director autonomous driving engineer do?

A Director Autonomous Driving Engineer leads and manages teams responsible for developing self-driving vehicle technologies. This role oversees the technical strategy, project execution, and integration of hardware and software for autonomous systems. Directors in this position collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, ensure safety and regulatory compliance, and drive innovation to advance autonomous vehicle capabilities. They also mentor engineers, set technical standards, and work with stakeholders to align product goals with business objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director autonomous driving engineer?

To thrive as a Director Autonomous Driving Engineer, you need deep expertise in robotics, computer vision, sensor fusion, and machine learning, typically supported by an advanced degree in engineering or computer science and significant industry experience. Familiarity with tools such as ROS, simulation platforms, automotive-grade software systems, and relevant safety certifications (like ISO 26262) is crucial. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for guiding multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with stakeholders. These abilities are vital for driving innovation, ensuring technical excellence, and delivering safe, reliable autonomous driving solutions.

How does a director autonomous driving engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams within an organization?

As a Director of Autonomous Driving Engineering, you'll regularly collaborate with cross-functional teams such as hardware engineers, data scientists, product managers, safety and compliance experts, and user experience designers. Your role involves aligning the technical roadmap with business goals, ensuring seamless integration of software and hardware, and facilitating effective communication between departments. This collaborative approach is crucial for addressing complex challenges, maintaining project momentum, and ensuring the autonomous driving system meets safety, regulatory, and performance standards.

What is the difference between Director Autonomous Driving Engineer vs Senior Autonomous Driving Engineer?

AspectDirector Autonomous Driving EngineerSenior Autonomous Driving Engineer
ResponsibilitiesOversees autonomous driving projects, manages teams, sets strategic goalsDesigns and develops autonomous driving systems, implements algorithms
Required CredentialsAdvanced degree (Master's/PhD), extensive experience, leadership skillsRelevant engineering degree, several years of experience in autonomous systems
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in R&D teams, cross-department collaborationHands-on engineering in labs or development teams
Industry UsageCommon in tech and automotive companies for strategic rolesCommon in engineering teams focused on system development

The main difference is that the Director Autonomous Driving Engineer focuses on leadership, strategy, and project oversight, while the Senior Autonomous Driving Engineer is primarily involved in technical development and implementation. Both roles require relevant technical credentials, but the director position emphasizes management and strategic planning within autonomous driving projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs in Boston, MA?

The most popular types of Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:

What are popular job titles related to Director Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs in Boston, MA?

For Director Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs in Boston, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:

Infographic showing various Director Autonomous Driving Engineer job openings in Boston, MA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $211,532 per year, or $101.7 per hour.

Principal Engineer, Team Lead- Motion Planning

Motional

Boston, MA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

Tech Lead Manager, Planning

On our Planning team, you'll apply your passion in robotics and software development for production-ready autonomous vehicles. As the Technical Lead Manager, you will direct a team tasked with the design and implementation of motion planning software for autonomous vehicles. This position requires leadership in defining the motion planning and control systems that enable our fleet to operate securely, effectively, and with passenger comfort in intricate settings. As a leader, you will drive the development of cutting-edge motion planning algorithms, collaborate with cross-functional teams (Localization, Perception, Prediction, Controls, ML Products, and Systems Engineering), and mentor a talented group of engineers to deliver state-of-the-art solutions. If you are passionate about autonomous driving, thrive on solving challenging real-world problems, and are eager to make a significant impact in a rapidly evolving field, we want to hear from you.

Role responsibilities:
  • Lead and develop a team within the motion planning organization, assuming responsibility for planning algorithm and constraint generation.
  • Collaborate with other leaders to provide technical direction, making critical decisions on architectural strategies, strategic resource allocation, operational execution, and technical debt management.
  • Deliver a robust and scalable planner, prioritizing safety throughout the design, prototyping, testing, deployment, and production phases.
  • Adopt a metrics-driven approach to the development and enhancement of technical components.
  • Advance existing planning methodologies to facilitate data-driven strategies.
  • Promote diversity and inclusion in both products and personnel.
  • Mentor and offer constructive feedback (technical and professional) to team members, cultivating an inclusive and collaborative work environment.
  • Demonstrate initiative in generating innovative ideas, formulating a team vision, and considering the holistic robotaxi system.
  • Implement and review algorithms and code, applying rigorous engineering methodologies.
  • Partner with project managers to develop roadmaps and execute plans according to schedule.
What we're looking for:
  • Over two years of experience in the management of a development team, with a demonstrated ability to foster career growth, mentor team members effectively, and enhance productivity.
  • Masters or PhD in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
  • Established history of successfully delivering production-quality motion planner in a leadership capacity.
  • Advanced proficiency in search algorithms.
  • Experience in developing motion planning solutions with ML
  • Expertise in C++ software development, Linux, and Python, with supplementary knowledge of SQL.
  • Strong theoretical understanding and practical experience in motion planning under conditions of uncertainty, as well as in interactions with dynamic agents and environments.
  • Knowledge of robotics algorithms in localization, perception, prediction, motion planning, and control systems for autonomous vehicles.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and management skills.
Skills appreciated
  • Experience in Autonomous Vehicles or other robotics industries
  • Experience using simulation tools
  • Experience with Verification & Validation for safety critical systems