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Principal Engineer - Vanguard Team

Motional
Pennsylvania
Mission Summary:

We are looking for a principal engineer to develop and deliver new algorithms and models for motion planning, trajectory generation, and controls to advance the capabilities of our autonomous vehicles, pushing the capabilities and reliability of the system to the next level.

What you'll be doing:

  • Research & Development: Lead the research, design, and development of algorithms and ML models that enhance vehicle decision-making, expand ODDs, and ensure robustness against long-tail events and subsystem failures.
  • System Co-Design: Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams (Perception, Prediction, Hardware, Infrastructure, etc) to architect a holistic system that maximizes safety and performance at scale.
  • Simulation & Validation: Architect dynamic simulation scenarios to validate expanded ODDs, ensuring rigorous testing of the system’s "edge case" limits.
  • Documentation & Clarity: Maintain a high bar for technical excellence by clearly documenting research findings, system architectures, and validation results to ensure organizational alignment and safety traceability.
  • Mentorship: Act as a technical catalyst by mentoring junior engineers in software craftsmanship, algorithmic rigor, and systems thinking.

What we're looking for:

  • Expert in robotics decision making, motion planning, and controls algorithms and ML models
  • Experience designing, developing, and delivering complex robotic or automation systems
  • Experience with robotics systems and the ability to root cause problems
  • Experience writing software for safety critical embedded systems utilizing C++, Rust, or similar
  • Experience developing analytics using Python, or similar
  • Experience with testing, verification, and validation of systems with functional safety requirements
  • Experience with simulation systems for robotics and/or autonomous vehicles
  • Experience using Linux operating systems, and ability to work in terminals/shells to perform troubleshooting, system performance monitoring, and kernel/journal log debugging
  • Experience profiling CPU, GPU, Disk, and Network usage

Bonus Points(not required):

  • Experience with perception or prediction algorithms and models
  • Experience with open-source robotics middleware (ROS, DDS)

We encourage a hybrid schedule with in-office time at one of our locations in Boston, Pittsburgh, or Las Vegas to support collaboration, or this role can be fully remote.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors including but not limited to specific skills, experience and expertise, role location, certifications, licenses, and business needs. The estimated compensation range listed in this job posting reflects base salary only. This role may include additional forms of compensation such as a bonus or company equity. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process. Candidates for certain positions are eligible to participate in Motional’s benefits program. Motional’s benefits include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401k with a company match, health saving accounts, life insurance, pet insurance, and more.

Salary Range: $240,000 USD - $330,000 USD

Motional is a driverless technology company making autonomous vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. We’re driven by something more.

Our journey is always people first.

We aren't just developing driverless cars; we're creating safer roadways, more equitable transportation options, and making our communities better places to live, work, and connect. Our team is made up of engineers, researchers, innovators, dreamers and doers, who are creating a technology with the potential to transform the way we move.

Higher purpose, greater impact.

We’re creating first-of-its-kind technology that will transform transportation. To do so successfully, we must design for everyone in our cities and on our roads. We believe in building a great place to work through a progressive, global culture that is diverse, inclusive, and ensures people feel valued at every level of the organization. Diversity helps us to see the world differently; it’s not only good for our business, it’s the right thing to do.

Scale up, not starting up.

Our team is behind some of the industry's largest leaps forward, including the first fully-autonomous cross-country drive in the U.S, the launch of the world's first robotaxi pilot, and operation of the world's longest-standing public robotaxi fleet. We’re driven to scale; we’re moving towards commercialization of our technology, and we need team members who are ready to embrace change and challenges.

Formed as a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, Motional is fundamentally changing how people move through their lives. Headquartered in Boston, Motional has operations in the U.S and Asia. For more information, visit and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

Motional AD Inc. is an EOE. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To comply with Federal Law, we participate in E-Verify. All newly-hired employees are queried through this electronic system established by the DHS and the SSA to verify their identity and employment eligibility.
Posted 2026-02-21

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