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Motion Planning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Zoox

Software Engineer - Motion Planning

Foster City, CA · On-site

$168K - $270K/yr

On the Motion Planning team at Zoox, you'll be dedicated to improving the driving behaviors of the robot on public roads. The Planner's job is to figure out where the robot is going and how to get ...

DiDi Labs

Software Engineer - Motion Planning

San Jose, CA · On-site

$141K - $235K/yr

You will tackle challenges across the full motion planning stack, from high-level behavioral reasoning to low-level trajectory optimization. Responsibilities * Design and implement the core motion ...

Motional

Principal Engineer Motion Planning

Boston, MA · On-site

Motional is seeking a technical expert for its Planning team to define motion planning and control systems for secure, effective, and comfortable fleet operation in complex environments. This role ...

Applied Intuition

Motion Planning Engineer

Poway, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

... motion planning, robotics, or a related field. * Experience in 3D+ path planning using sampling based methods such as RRT* or similar. * Experience in 2/2.5D grid based planning methods such as A* or ...

Motional

Principal Engineer Motion Planning

Boston, MA

$240K - $330K/yr

Motional is seeking a technical expert for its Planning team to define motion planning and control systems for secure, effective, and comfortable fleet operation in complex environments. This role ...

Motional

Principal Engineer Motion Planning

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site +1

$240K - $330K/yr

Motional is seeking a technical expert for its Planning team to define motion planning and control systems for secure, effective, and comfortable fleet operation in complex environments. This role ...

Motional

Principal Engineer Motion Planning

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$240K - $330K/yr

Motional is seeking a technical expert for its Planning team to define motion planning and control systems for secure, effective, and comfortable fleet operation in complex environments. This role ...

ATI

Senior Robotics Motion Planning Engineer

Woburn, MA · On-site

$114K - $157K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Robotics Engineer with deep expertise in motion planning to join our amazing software team. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role that will be the primary technical ...

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Motion Planning information

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$19.5K

$67.1K

$98.5K

How much do motion planning jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for motion planning in the United States is $67,056.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,500.00 and $80,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 is a Motion Planning job?

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 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.

More about Motion Planning jobs
What cities are hiring for Motion Planning jobs? Cities with the most Motion Planning job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Motion Planning jobs? The most popular types of Motion Planning jobs are:
What states have the most Motion Planning jobs? States with the most job openings for Motion Planning jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Motion Planning jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Motion Planning jobs are:
Motion Planning jobs near you
Infographic showing various Motion Planning job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,056 per year, or $32.2 per hour.

Software Engineer - Motion Planning

Zoox

Foster City, CA • On-site

$168K - $270K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

On the Motion Planning team at Zoox, you'll be dedicated to improving the driving behaviors of the robot on public roads. The Planner's job is to figure out where the robot is going and how to get there safely in situations as complex as those found in Downtown San Francisco or on the Las Vegas Strip.
 
This is a cutting-edge problem, which requires teamwork and collaboration across a broad set of experts spanning Planner, Perception, Prediction, Operations, and more. Together, you will create the next generation of algorithmic improvements to expand our robot's ability to drive in some of the most complex situations found on public roads.
 
Safety is foundational at Zoox, so you will take a measured approach - develop a principled modification to the Planner, test in simulation and on closed courses, and team up with our safety drivers for on-road testing. 
In this role, you will:
  • Create principled algorithmic improvements to specific areas of driving behavior and implement those changes in our code base.
  • Use our extensive backend tooling to test your changes across many different driving situations at the press of a button.
  • 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.
  • Write and file patents for novel technologies you develop.
Qualifications
  • Master's degree in Computer Science or related field and relevant experience
  • Fluency in C++
  • Understanding of configuration spaces and a variety of planning techniques (A*, RRTs, PRMs, etc.)
  • Demonstrated ability to create real-time motion planning algorithms
Bonus Qualifications
  • Significant contributions to geometric- and/or sampling-based planning algorithms
  • Experience with autonomous robots and machine learning or data-driven development processes
  • Experience with ROS, pose estimation, SLAM, probabilistic filtering, 3D data, or CUDA
$168,000 - $270,000 a year
Base Salary Range
 
There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.
 
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 [email protected] 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.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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