Senior Staff Software Engineer, Motion Planning

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +2 more states.

📋 Description

• Take ownership of and guide the technical roadmap for collision-free motion planning encompassing whole-body motion, manipulation, grasping, and loco-manipulation.

• Design, implement, test, and deploy algorithms for motion planning and trajectory optimization tailored for humanoid robots.

• Architect motion planning systems prioritizing modularity, observability, and seamless integration with perception, state estimation, and control.

• Create algorithms that are resilient to environmental uncertainties and inaccuracies in state estimation.

• Lead architectural decisions across teams and collaborate with autonomy, controls, and behaviors teams to tackle complex system-level challenges.

⛳️ Requirements

• Proven experience in developing and deploying manipulation algorithms on high-DOF robots.

• Industry experience in deploying mobile manipulation robots in real-world commercial settings.

• Demonstrated expertise in sample-based motion planning, trajectory optimization, and model predictive control (MPC), with a successful history of delivering these algorithms to production.

• Proficient in developing planning and optimization algorithms that adhere to geometric and kinodynamic constraints, including contact, friction, and collision considerations.

• Strong mathematical foundation in search and numerical optimization, including both convex and non-convex problem formulations.

• Advanced skills in modern C++ (C++17/20) and Python for high-performance, multithreaded, real-time robotics applications.

• Proven track record in architecting large-scale autonomy systems and defining clear interfaces across perception, estimation, planning, and control.

• Demonstrated technical leadership in guiding complex robotics systems, overseeing architecture, and mentoring senior engineers.

🏝️ Benefits

• 401(k) Plan: Features a 6% company match.

• Equity: Availability of company stock options.

• Insurance Coverage: 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, and short/long-term disability insurance for employees.

• Benefit Start Date: Eligible for benefits starting on your first day of employment.

• Well-Being Support: Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Time Off:

• Exempt Employees: Enjoy flexible, unlimited PTO and 12 company holidays, including a winter shutdown.

• Non-Exempt Employees: Receive 10 vacation days, paid sick leave, and 12 company holidays, including a winter shutdown, each year.

• On-Site Perks: Catered lunches four times a week along with a variety of healthy snacks and refreshments at our Salem and Pittsburgh locations.

• Parental Leave: Generous paid parental leave programs available.

• Work Environment: A culture that encourages flexible work arrangements.

• Growth Opportunities: Access to professional development and tuition reimbursement programs.

• Relocation Assistance: Offered for eligible roles.

• Annual Discretionary Bonus: Available for eligible roles.