Senior Software Engineer

About the role

You will own and maintain the core HD maps infrastructure that powers our entire product suite. This role involves defining our map storage format to handle expanding feature sets while distributing map data efficiently across UIs, data pipelines, and SDKs. You will collaborate closely with both engineers and customers to refine existing designs and shape future map capabilities. The position focuses on solving real-world mapping and localization challenges at scale. You will build the digital foundations that enable global-sized map visualization and querying. This role directly influences how autonomous, trucking, and defense systems interpret and interact with the physical world. Your work will support the critical needs of eighteen of the top twenty global automakers as well as military and allied partners.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect and evolve the end-to-end HD maps infrastructure across all Applied Intuition products and customer workflows.
• Design and implement scalable map storage formats that balance performance, extensibility, and usability for UI and backend services.
• Partner with cross-functional engineering teams to integrate map capabilities into simulation, perception, and planning systems.
• Work alongside customers to understand mapping requirements and translate them into robust technical specifications and features.
• Optimize data pipelines to ensure efficient ingestion, processing, and distribution of large-scale map datasets.
• Develop and maintain SDKs that enable internal and external developers to leverage HD maps within their own applications.
• Lead code reviews and technical discussions to uphold high standards of reliability, maintainability, and performance.
• Instrument and troubleshoot map-related systems to diagnose issues and drive improvements in scalability and correctness.
• Explore and prototype new map visualization, querying, and editing techniques to support future product initiatives.
• Collaborate with product managers and researchers to align map infrastructure roadmaps with evolving business needs.
• Mentor junior engineers by providing guidance on best practices for building dependable mapping infrastructure.
• Ensure that map data pipelines are secure, auditable, and aligned with the operational requirements of defense and commercial clients.
• Coordinate with distributed teams to synchronize changes across storage systems, rendering engines, and data processing tools.
• Continuously evaluate emerging standards and tools in the mapping ecosystem to keep Applied Intuition at the forefront of the industry.

Requirements

• Bring 2+ years of professional experience developing software components or (sub) systems that address real-world mapping and localization challenges.
• Demonstrate hands-on experience building software using either C++ or Python in production environments.
• Show a strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and system design principles relevant to large-scale map handling.
• Exhibit the ability to work effectively in an in-office environment while balancing structured collaboration and focused execution.
• Communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including customers, product managers, and engineering peers.
• Take ownership of complex problems, breaking them down into manageable tasks and driving them to resolution.
• Write clean, testable, and maintainable code that adheres to team standards and best practices.
• Collaborate constructively in a team setting, providing and receiving feedback to improve collective outcomes.

Nice to have

• Experience working with autonomous vehicles or simulation products that rely on high-fidelity map data.

Practical notes

This is an in-office role with an expectation that employees work primarily from the Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. The company recognizes the importance of flexibility and trusts employees to manage their schedules responsibly, which may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier to accommodate family commitments. Compensation for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits such as comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Benefits may vary based on jurisdiction. Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor.