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Motion Planning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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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How much do motion planning jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 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.

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Motion Planning jobs near you

Software Engineer - Motion & Behavioral Planning

DiDi Labs

San Jose, CA • On-site

$129K - $214K/yr

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

About The CompanyDiDi's autonomous driving unit was established in 2016 with the mission of developing Level 4 autonomous driving (AD) technology to make transportation safer and more efficient. In August 2019, the unit became an independent company, DiDi Autonomous Driving, dedicated to advanced AD R&D, product application, and business expansion. We believe integrating AD technology into a shared-mobility fleet will generate immense social value. By leveraging DiDi's specialized technology, operational expertise, and integrated ecosystem, we are positioned to build and operate a highly efficient, user-oriented autonomous fleet.
About The RoleWe are seeking a Software Engineer /Sr. Software Engineer to join our team and develop the core decision-making and motion planning systems for our autonomous vehicles. In this role, you will be responsible for creating the algorithms that enable smooth, safe, and intelligent navigation in complex environments. 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 Behavioral Planning logic that determines the vehicle's high-level actions (e.g., lane changes, merges, yields, and interactions with other agents).
  • Develop and optimize the motion planning algorithms that execute behavioral decisions, integrating Geometry Reasoning (path) and Speed Reasoning (velocity) into a cohesive trajectory.
  • Architect and enhance the geometry system for generating geometrically feasible and compliant paths.
  • Architect and refine the velocity system for generating context-aware, comfortable, and safe velocity profiles.
  • Model complex driving scenarios and agent interactions to create a robust world model for the behavioral planner.
  • Design different costs for trajectory ranking to trade off ETAs, comfort and safety of the vehicle behaviors.
  • Conduct in-depth analysis, testing, and debugging of the system's performance in various scenarios, leading root cause investigations.
  • Collaborate with Prediction, Perception, and Control teams to ensure a seamless flow from environmental understanding to physical vehicle motion.

Qualifications
  • B.S./M.S. in Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field.
  • Experience in autonomous systems, robotics, or automotive software development.
  • Strong proficiency in C++ for implementing complex, real-time algorithms.
  • Solid understanding of robotics fundamentals, including decision-making, motion planning, control theory, trajectory ranking, search and optimization algorithms etc.
  • Related experience in one or more of the following: behavioral planning, motion planning, behavior and world environment reasoning, trajectory ranking and cost design.

Preferred Qualifications
  • PhD or internship experience related to robotics planning system designs.
  • Knowledge of vehicle dynamics and longitudinal/lateral control systems.
  • Solid understanding of machine learning principles, reinforcement learning and related algorithms.

The base salary range for this position is $129,189-$214,776 for Software Engineer and $148,594-247,038 for Sr. Software Engineer, annually in addition to bonus, equity and benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
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