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Robotic Motion Planning Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Develop robotic motion solutions using simulation, offline programming, and advanced motion planning techniques * Design EOAT and mechanical components using CAD and rapid prototyping tools

Motional is seeking a technical expert for its Planning team to define motion planning and control ... We are looking for a robotics and software development enthusiast eager to contribute to production ...

Develop robotic motion solutions using simulation, offline programming, and advanced motion planning techniques * Design EOAT and mechanical components using CAD and rapid prototyping tools

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 ... We are looking for a robotics and software development enthusiast eager to contribute to production ...

Motional is seeking a technical expert for its Planning team to define motion planning and control ... We are looking for a robotics and software development enthusiast eager to contribute to production ...

Showing results 41-60

Robotic Motion Planning Engineer information

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$29K

$105.6K

$169K

How much do robotic motion planning engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for robotic motion planning engineer in the United States is $105,605.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a robotic motion planning engineer do?

A Robotic Motion Planning Engineer is responsible for designing algorithms that enable robots to move efficiently and safely within their environment. This involves creating paths or trajectories for robots to follow while avoiding obstacles and optimizing for speed, energy, or other factors. They use knowledge from robotics, computer science, and mathematics to develop software that allows robots to perform complex tasks autonomously. These engineers often work with sensors, simulation software, and real-world robotic systems to test and refine their motion planning solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a robotic motion planning engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Robotic Motion Planning Engineer, you need a solid background in robotics, computer science, and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with tools such as ROS (Robot Operating System), Python/C++, and simulation platforms like Gazebo, as well as experience with motion planning algorithms, is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and teamwork skills set candidates apart in this field. These skills are crucial for developing reliable, efficient, and safe robotic systems that can operate in complex real-world environments.

What are some common challenges faced by robotic motion planning engineers when working on real-world robot deployment?

Robotic Motion Planning Engineers often encounter challenges translating simulation results to real-world environments due to factors like sensor noise, hardware limitations, and unpredictable obstacles. Ensuring that planned paths are both efficient and safe in dynamic settings requires close collaboration with hardware engineers and field testing teams. Additionally, balancing computational efficiency and motion accuracy, especially for complex robots or crowded spaces, is a frequent hurdle. Overcoming these issues typically involves iterative tuning, robust software development, and interdisciplinary teamwork.

What is the difference between Robotic Motion Planning Engineer vs Robotic Software Engineer?

AspectRobotic Motion Planning EngineerRobotic Software Engineer
Primary FocusDeveloping algorithms for robot path planning and navigationDesigning and implementing software for robotic systems
Required SkillsRobotics algorithms, motion planning, C++, PythonSoftware development, robotics frameworks, C++, Python
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, robotics companies, industrial automationRobotics companies, tech firms, automation industries
Common CertificationsRobotics certifications, programming certifications

Robotic Motion Planning Engineers focus on creating algorithms for robot navigation, while Robotic Software Engineers develop broader software solutions for robotic systems. Both roles require programming skills and often overlap in work environments, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and specialization.

Are robotic motion planning engineers in high demand?

Robotic motion planning engineers are in high demand due to the growth of automation, robotics, and AI across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. Their expertise in algorithms, kinematics, and programming tools like ROS and MATLAB makes them valuable as companies seek to develop advanced robotic systems and autonomous vehicles.

Do robotic motion planning engineers get paid well?

Robotic motion planning engineers typically earn competitive salaries due to their specialized skills in robotics, algorithms, and programming. Salaries vary based on experience, education, and industry, but they are generally above average compared to many engineering roles. Advanced knowledge of robotics frameworks and tools can also influence compensation levels.
More about Robotic Motion Planning Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Robotic Motion Planning Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Robotic Motion Planning Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Robotic Motion Planning Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Robotic Motion Planning Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Robotic Motion Planning Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,605 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

Robotics Planning Engineer (All Levels)

Symbotic

Wilmington, MA • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago


Symbotic rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

185th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

Who we are

With its A.I.-powered robotic technology platform, Symbotic is changing the way consumer goods move through the supply chain. Intelligent software orchestrates advanced robots in a high-density, end-to-end system - reinventing warehouse automation for increased efficiency, speed and flexibility.

What we need

We are looking for a Robotics Planning Engineer to join our team. You will play a hands-on role in designing, developing, and testing the planning intelligence that coordinates inventory flow into the Symbotic system and customer order fulfillment. This role spans multi-robot motion planning, tasking, inventory management, and system-level orchestration of fleets of mobile robots across software layers, and is ideal for an engineer who brings innovative ideas into real-world systems and thrives in a creative, collaborative, and agile development environment.

What we do

The planning stack is one of the core technology differentiators that unlocks productivity, scalability, and resilience across the Symbotic system. Our team develops algorithms and software frameworks that coordinate autonomous robots, inventory movement, task execution, and system behavior across layers in challenging dynamic warehouse environments. We combine optimization, simulation, real-time decision-making, and production engineering to improve throughput, reduce operational bottlenecks, and continuously raise overall system performance at scale.

What you'll do

  • Design, develop, and test real-time, high-performance planning software for large-scale robotic systems, with scope spanning routing, tasking, inventory flow, and system design.

  • Build and optimize algorithms and services for multi-robot motion planning, task allocation, inventory-aware decision-making, and traffic management in dynamic warehouse environments.

  • Develop planning logic that coordinates behavior across software layers, connecting robot-level execution with fleet-level orchestration and higher-level system objectives.

  • Create simulation and modeling tools to validate planning strategies, stress-test edge cases, and evaluate system robustness, throughput, and operational trade-offs under realistic conditions.

  • Integrate planning solutions into production systems, analyze telemetry and performance data, and collaborate cross-functionally with robotics, perception, controls, cloud, operations, and systems engineering teams.

  • Support production deployments by triaging issues, improving diagnostics, documenting technical designs, and driving continuous improvement across the planning stack. Up to 10% travel may be required.

What you'll need

  • You have experiences in robotics, algorithm development, or related software engineering roles.

  • You have strong experience in one or more of the following areas:

    • Multi-agent Pathfinding and heuristics search

    • Robotics motion planning

    • Task allocation, inventory management systems, and operation research

    • Machine learning for robotics planning or large-scale decision making

    • Real-time decision-making systems, and micro-service cluster architecture

  • You have strong programming skills in object-oriented languages such as C# or C++, and you apply sound software engineering practices to production-quality code.

  • You have a strong background in data structures, algorithms, optimization, distributed or multi-agent systems, and designing software that coordinates behavior across components and layers.

  • You are comfortable using simulation, experimentation, and data analysis to evaluate performance, robustness, scalability, and system-level behavior in complex planning environments.

  • You demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, collaborate effectively across disciplines, and communicate complex technical concepts clearly across both algorithm and system domains.

  • You have a Bachelor, Master or Ph.D. degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.

Our environment

  • Up to 10% of travel may be required. Employees must have a valid driver's license and the ability to drive and/or fly to client and other customer locations.

  • The employee is responsible for owning a credit card and managing expenses personally to be reimbursed on a bi-weekly basis.

#LI-Hybrid

# JT1

About Symbotic

Symbotic is an automation technology leader reimagining the supply chain with its end-to-end, AI-powered robotic and software platform. Symbotic reinvents the warehouse as a strategic asset for the world's largest retail, wholesale, and food & beverage companies. Applying next-gen technology, high-density storage and machine learning to solve today's complex distribution challenges, Symbotic enables companies to move goods with unmatched speed, agility, accuracy and efficiency. As the backbone of commerce the Symbotic platform transforms the flow of goods and the economics of supply chain for its customers. For more information, visitwww.symbotic.com.

We are a community of innovators, collaborators and pioneers who embrace our differences, because we know unique perspectives make us stronger and smarter. Every perspective matters. We depend on the collective voices of our employees, customers and community to help guide us as we build a better place to work - for you and the world. That's why we're proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or genetic information.

The base range for this position in the posted location is $120,000.00 - $165,000.00 however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The compensation package includes medical, dental, vision, disability, 401K, PTO and/or other benefits.

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