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Motion Planning Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

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Motion Planning information

See Washington salary details

$22.1K

$75.9K

$111.6K

How much do motion planning jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for motion planning in Washington is $75,947.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,500.00 and $91,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a motion planning?

A Motion Planning job involves developing algorithms that enable autonomous systems, such as robots or self-driving vehicles, to navigate safely and efficiently in their environments. Engineers in this role work on path planning, obstacle avoidance, and real-time decision-making to optimize movement. They use techniques from robotics, optimization, and artificial intelligence to ensure smooth and collision-free operation.

What are some common daily responsibilities for a motion planning engineer?

As a Motion Planning engineer, your daily responsibilities typically include designing and implementing algorithms for path planning and obstacle avoidance, running simulations to test and validate new strategies, and collaborating closely with perception, controls, and hardware teams. You may also spend time troubleshooting issues from field trials, optimizing existing motion strategies for speed and safety, and keeping documentation up to date. The work environment is often collaborative, combining both independent coding tasks and frequent team meetings to align on project goals and integration points. This blend of research, development, and real-world testing makes the role dynamic and impactful for autonomous systems projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the motion planning position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Motion Planning professional, a solid background in robotics, algorithms, computer science, and applied mathematics is essential, often supported by an advanced degree in a related field. Proficiency with simulation tools like ROS, Python or C++ programming, and familiarity with motion planning libraries such as OMPL or MoveIt are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and effective communication help you excel in cross-functional engineering teams. These skills enable you to develop and optimize safe, reliable motion strategies for autonomous systems in dynamic real-world environments.

Infographic showing various Motion Planning job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,947 per year, or $36.5 per hour.

Staff Robotics Software Engineer, Air Vehicle Autonomy

Anduril Industries

Washington, DC

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 76,623 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Air Dominance & Strike team at Anduril develops aerial and multi-domain robotic systems. The team is responsible for taking products like Fury (unmanned fighter jet) and Barracuda (air-breathing cruise missile) from concept to product. The team also develops Lattice for Mission Autonomy, Anduril's premier software platform that enables masses of Fury, Barracuda, and other first and third party robots to collaborate across various missions. We work in close coordination with specialist teams like Perception, Motion Planning, Hardware, and Test Engineering to solve some of the hardest problems facing our customers. We are looking for software engineers and roboticists excited about creating a powerful autonomy software stack that includes computer vision, motion planning, SLAM, controls, estimation, and secure communications.
WHAT YOU'LL DO

  • Write and maintain core libraries and services that perform critical functions for collaborative teams of robots - for example, motion deconfliction and contingency management of fast mover air vehicles.
  • Own major feature development and rollout of large, complex features for our products - recent examples include developing terminal-phase autonomy for various air vehicles and developing a test plan on live surrogates.
  • Work closely with Anduril and 3rd party vehicle hardware teams, as well as operational subject matter experts (fighter pilots, UAV operators, etc.) to align on requirements during product development and iterate towards a final design.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance
  • BS in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
  • 10+ years experience in one or more of the following: motion planning, perception, localization, mapping, controls, and related system performance metrics.
  • Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams, set technical direction, and manage full project lifecycles from concept to deployment.
  • Deep understanding of integrating various sensor systems and utilizing various techniques for perception and decision-making.
  • Experience troubleshooting and analyzing remotely deployed software systems
  • Experience working with and testing electrical and mechanical systems
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • MS or PhD
  • Python, Rust, and/or Go experience
  • Experience programming for embedded and physical devices
  • Multi-agent coordination of UAVs
  • Complex frame transformation problems, such as target localization or multi degree of freedom robotic arms

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.


What Anduril employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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