Software Development Engineer II, Nav Native

About the role

The role focuses on building the high-performance engine that powers navigation experiences for partners and consumers within the Navigation Native team. You will own the C++ library that operates directly on user devices, enabling navigation for applications and in-vehicle systems. A core responsibility involves solving fundamental movement challenges, such as converting noisy GPS and IMU data into accurate map-matching results. You will manage complex road network graphs while supporting multiple route alternatives to enhance pathfinding accuracy. The position requires processing location data at high frequencies, up to 10Hz, ensuring functionality in difficult environments like tunnels and dense urban canyons. You will contribute to a platform used by more than 4 million registered developers who value flexibility and security. The role involves creating customized and immersive location experiences for applications, data, SDKs, and APIs built on the platform. As AI becomes integrated into engineering workflows, you are expected to thoughtfully apply AI within design, development, and decision-making processes.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect and maintain a unified C++17 library that functions seamlessly across iOS, Android, and low-power automotive embedded hardware.
• Analyze and improve map-matching and dead-reckoning algorithms using data collected from millions of vehicles operating in the real world.
• Implement route-following features, including high-frequency progress reporting, deviation detection, and timely delivery of instruction commands to the user interface.
• Work on road object matching using OpenLR standards and live traffic incidents to provide a predictive view of the road ahead for drivers.
• Design predictive caching for routing tiles and manage complex on-board resources such as junction views and signposts to optimize memory usage.
• Integrate and extend the Valhalla routing engine to support offline routing capabilities and route refresh controllers for dynamic navigation.
• Leverage AI tools thoughtfully to increase efficiency and improve code quality during the development lifecycle and debugging cycles.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, prototype, and deliver new navigation features that meet strict performance and reliability standards.
• Optimize computational heavy-lifting paths to ensure low latency and high throughput on resource-constrained devices and embedded platforms.
• Participate in code reviews, technical design discussions, and documentation to ensure the long-term maintainability of the navigation core.
• Troubleshoot complex issues related to spatial algorithms, data corruption, and edge-case scenarios encountered in global deployments.
• Contribute to the definition of technical specifications and best practices for the C++ codebase used in safety-conscious environments.
• Assist in the creation of internal tools that help analysts and engineers validate navigation behavior and data correctness.
• Stay up to date with advancements in navigation technology, mapping standards, and embedded software development methodologies.

Requirements

You must demonstrate strong proficiency in C++17 or later, with a deep understanding of the language specification, memory management, the standard library, and multi-threading concepts. A passion for writing clean, fast, and portable code that adheres to strict CPU and memory constraints is essential for success in this role. Experience working with complex graph-based structures, data structures, and spatial algorithms is expected as a core part of the daily responsibilities. You should have a proven track record of developing cross-platform code for environments such as Linux, mobile devices, or embedded systems where resources are limited. Strong English communication skills are required to explain complex technical trade-offs to both peers and stakeholders during design discussions and code reviews. The ability to work independently and as part of a distributed team is critical due to the remote nature of the position and the global scale of the product. You must be comfortable navigating ambiguity and making sound engineering decisions with incomplete data while maintaining a high standard of quality. A methodical approach to debugging and performance profiling is necessary to identify bottlenecks and resolve issues efficiently. You are expected to comply with company policies and security guidelines regarding the handling of location data and proprietary algorithms. By applying for this position, you acknowledge that you have received the Mapbox Non-US Privacy Notice for applicants, and you consent to the processing of your application data as described. The company is committed to a fair and equitable hiring process and does not discriminate against any protected class under applicable law.

Nice to have

Experience in specific navigation-related domains is considered a plus for this position. This includes familiarity with concepts such as dead reckoning, Electronic Horizon, or OpenLR data standards. Backgrounds in handling IMU, OBD-II, or GNSS data are also valuable when assessing sensor fusion and accuracy metrics. Experience contributing to safety-critical features, particularly ADAS functionalities, demonstrates an understanding of reliability and fail-operational requirements. Participation in open source routing engines or similar projects is viewed favorably as it indicates a strong grasp of algorithmic contributions and community-driven development practices. Familiarity with map matching, route optimization, and traffic prediction models is beneficial for accelerating contributions to the Nav Native product suite.

Practical notes

The position is based remotely, with a requirement to be Belarus-based. Candidates living near the Minsk office have the option to work in a hybrid capacity if desired. This is a full-time engagement that requires a commitment to asynchronous communication and proactive collaboration across global teams. There are no specific travel requirements outlined for this role at this time.