Director, Autonomy Behavior

About the role

May Mobility is at the forefront of transforming urban transportation through the development of autonomous vehicle technology. We are looking for a highly experienced and strategic leader to fill the role of Director of Autonomy Behavior. In this position, you will lead the Behavior & Controls team, focusing on the development, refinement, and strategic direction of our Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) technology. Your leadership will be essential in advancing our autonomous systems to operate safely, reliably, and efficiently in complex real-world environments. This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of autonomous mobility by overseeing cutting-edge research and development efforts, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, and ensuring that our autonomous vehicles meet the highest standards of safety and performance.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the development and execution of the autonomy strategy, working closely with engineering teams, product managers, and executive leadership to define the technical roadmap for behavior and control systems.
• Collaborate with Vehicle Engineering, Operations, and other departments to identify challenges and develop solutions that enhance the performance and safety of autonomous vehicles.
• Drive innovation in MPDM technology, focusing on improving data-driven policies, simulation accuracy, and the stability of algorithms used for decision-making in autonomous systems.
• Oversee the deployment of MPDM solutions in commercial autonomous vehicles, ensuring robust operation in diverse environments and addressing real-time issues that arise during operation.
• Stay current with the latest research and advancements in planning, automated decision-making, reinforcement learning, and related fields, integrating relevant findings into product development.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the effectiveness of autonomy systems, making data-driven decisions to improve system reliability and safety.
• Develop a comprehensive technical roadmap that addresses key challenges in autonomy behavior, aligning it with company goals and operational needs.
• Recruit, mentor, and manage a team of engineers and scientists specializing in autonomy, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Lead efforts to troubleshoot and resolve critical issues within the autonomy team, providing strategic guidance and actionable recommendations to ensure project milestones are met.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership, to facilitate informed decision-making and strategic planning.
• Promote a safety-first approach in all development activities, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices for autonomous vehicle safety.
• Coordinate with external partners, research institutions, and industry groups to stay at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology and contribute to the broader community.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively to deliver high-quality results within scope and schedule constraints.
• Support the scaling of autonomy solutions from research prototypes to production systems, ensuring robustness and reliability in commercial deployment.
• Foster an inclusive and innovative team environment that attracts top talent and encourages professional growth and development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, robotics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degrees (Master's or PhD) are preferred.
• Proven experience in leading autonomy or robotics projects, with a track record of solving complex technical challenges at a senior level such as principal investigator, director, or similar leadership roles.
• Minimum of 7 years of software engineering experience, with a focus on robotics, mission-critical systems, or autonomous vehicle technology.
• Demonstrated success in managing and leading teams of over 10 engineers, including goal setting, performance management, and mentorship.
• Hands-on experience developing, deploying, and maintaining autonomous vehicle systems or comparable autonomous systems in complex environments.
• Strong understanding of planning algorithms, decision-making frameworks, reinforcement learning, and predictive modeling relevant to autonomous systems.
• Experience working in fast-paced, innovative environments where ambiguity is common and solutions must be developed iteratively.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex issues, develop strategic solutions, and implement them effectively.
• Strong communication skills, capable of conveying technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and fostering collaboration across teams.
• Ability to operate effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement in all aspects of work.

Nice to have

• Master's or PhD degree in a relevant technical discipline such as robotics, computer science, or aerospace engineering.
• Over 5 years of management experience leading engineering teams in autonomous vehicle or robotics projects.
• Familiarity with MPDM development or application within autonomous systems.
• Knowledge of current challenges and emerging trends in autonomous vehicle technology, including perception, planning, and control systems.
• Experience working with simulation environments and real-world deployment of autonomous systems.
• Understanding of industry standards and regulations related to autonomous vehicle safety and testing.

Skills & tools

• Deep expertise in planning algorithms, autonomous decision-making, reinforcement learning, and computational prediction.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into actionable improvements.
• Excellent attention to detail, ensuring high standards of safety and reliability in system development.
• Ability to manage technical and personnel risks proactively, balancing innovation with safety and compliance.
• Effective communication skills to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively.
• Collaborative approach to working with cross-disciplinary teams, external partners, and stakeholders.
• Proven track record of delivering results on time and within scope, even under tight deadlines.

Practical notes

• Minimal travel required, estimated at 1% to 10%.
• The role offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, along with retirement plans and flexible vacation policies.
• The position is based on-site at our Ann Arbor, MI location, with on-site responsibilities.
• May Mobility is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
• If accommodations are needed during the application process, please inform us so we can assist accordingly.