1

Motion Planning Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Robotics Engineer

Sterling, VA ยท On-site

$95 - $130/hr

Building core CAD to robotic motion and grasp planning workflow software * Developing and expanding advance simulation and motion planning capabilities * Collaborating with mechanical, electrical ...

Building core CAD to robotic motion and grasp planning workflow software * Developing and expanding advance simulation and motion planning capabilities * Collaborating with mechanical, electrical ...

Senior Robotics Engineer

Sterling, VA ยท On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

Building core CAD to robotic motion and grasp planning workflow software * Developing and expanding advance simulation and motion planning capabilities * Collaborating with mechanical, electrical ...

Computer Vision Engineer

Sterling, VA ยท On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Own the full vision stack, from sensor selection and calibration through perception algorithms and real-time integration with robotic motion planning and grasping. * Evaluate, adapt, and deploy ...

Showing results 21-40

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 4, 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.

Robotics Engineer

MOLG

Sterling, VA โ€ข On-site

$95 - $130/hr

Other

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Robotics EngineerABOUT US

Hey! Weโ€™re Molg Weโ€™re building robotic systems that make electronics manufacturing circular. We work with hyperscalers and leading electronics manufacturers to automate how hardware is designed, manufactured, disassembled, repaired, reused, and recovered. Using robotics, computational design, and AI, our systems turn todayโ€™s e-waste into resilient, data-driven supply chainsโ€”and change how electronics are made in the first place.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL:

Work with a talented cross-functional team of software, mechanical, electrical, and robotics engineers to develop our core technologies in robotics, assembly intelligence, computer vision, and microfactories. As a Robotics Engineer, you will be responsible for:

  • Delivering high-quality, testable code for built/integrated robotic hardware (i.e. microfactories)
  • Building core CAD to robotic motion and grasp planning workflow software
  • Developing and expanding advance simulation and motion planning capabilities
  • Collaborating with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers on tooling, fixturing, vision systems, and control systems

Youโ€™ll have the opportunity to build alongside an incredible team, develop innovative solutions, and grow in a fast-paced environment that values autonomy and impact.

WHO YOU ARE:
  • 3+ years of industry experience developing automated solutions using 6 DOF robots
  • 3+ years of experience in Python3 or C++
  • Proficiency with ROS, ROS2, or another robot-oriented software framework
  • Proficiency with the following modern software development tools and principles: unix/linux systems, shell software (sh, bash, zsh), git, containerization, CI/CD, automation, OOP
  • Excellent understanding of core robotics principles including homogenous transformations, forward and inverse kinematics, closed-loop control, path and motion planning, localization.
  • Demonstrable experience using physical robot systems from industry leading manufacturers, such as ABB, FANUC, or KUKA
  • Proven experience taking robotics software from proof-of-concept to production; implementing features vertically through the stack and hardening them for the real world with observability, robust error handling, and graceful failure recovery
  • Experience integrating software with robotic hardware, controllers, and higher-level task-planning systems, and validating it on physical robots, not only in simulation
  • A track record of diagnosing and improving robot behavior using live-cell data, logs, and telemetry, closing the loop between what the simulation predicted and what the hardware actually did
  • Skilled at partnering with mechanical and systems engineers to make software resilient to real-world tolerances, mechanical compliance, and part-to-part variability
  • Able to communicate effectively and efficiently both verbally and in writing
  • Ability to work in-person at Molg HQ in Sterling, VA.
REPORTING STRUCTURE:

This role reports directly to the Director of Software Engineering.

WHO WE ARE:

We spend our days building robotic systems, developing complex assembly intelligence software, and designing the next generation of circular products for our customers. Given the importance of working hands-on with physical systems, we are a 100% in-person team collaboratively working in our industrial space in Sterling, VA, down the road from the largest data center market in the world. Our facility includes a variety of robots, CNC milling machines, 3D printers, and all the tools needed to build and test our products. It is important to us that anyone on our team that is interested in learning how to use our various pieces of equipment and machinery is taught and can gain the skills and appreciation for making physical things.

THINGS TO KNOW:
  • Weโ€™re a hands-on collaborative team with big ambitions, and thereโ€™s a good amount of context-switching. We expect people to be autonomous and drive their own work to completion.
  • We are scrappy and looking to build a great sustainable company for years to come.
  • As a growing company and startup, priorities may shift as customer or business requirements change. We strive to empower individuals with context and decision-making power to meet this need.
#J-18808-Ljbffr