Fellow - Autonomy (Distinguished Engineer)

About the role

Motional is seeking a visionary technical leader to shape the future of autonomous driving. This distinguished engineer will pioneer advancements in our autonomy systems, setting the technical direction and mentoring a world-class team. You will own the definition and execution of the technical strategy for our most critical autonomy capabilities, ensuring alignment with the long-term vision. In this role, you will architect and implement novel solutions that address the most complex challenges in perception, prediction, and planning. You will serve as the primary technical authority, making high-impact decisions that define the architecture of our autonomous driving stack. Furthermore, you will mentor and inspire a diverse team of highly skilled engineers and researchers, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. Your contributions will directly influence the trajectory of Motional's technology and its ability to deliver safe and reliable driverless solutions.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Define and drive the technical strategy for key autonomy capabilities, establishing the foundational principles that guide all engineering efforts.
• Architect and implement novel solutions for complex perception, prediction, and planning challenges, ensuring robustness and scalability.
• Guide the development and integration of advanced AI and robotics technologies, bridging the gap between research prototypes and production systems.
• Mentor and inspire a team of highly skilled engineers and researchers, providing technical leadership and career development.
• Contribute to the long-term vision and technical roadmap for Motional's autonomous driving system, anticipating future trends and technological shifts.
• Lead the resolution of the most difficult technical problems, breaking down complex system failures into actionable insights and solutions.
• Establish best practices for software architecture, code quality, and system design across the autonomy organization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to ensure that technical deliverables meet stringent safety, performance, and reliability requirements.
• Analyze massive datasets to derive insights that inform model improvements and system-level decision-making.
• Evaluate and recommend new tools, frameworks, and methodologies to maintain a competitive edge in the field of autonomous driving.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in autonomous systems development.
• Proven track record of technical leadership and delivering complex software systems in a high-stakes environment.
• Deep expertise in at least two of the following areas: perception, sensor fusion, state estimation, motion planning, control, or machine learning for robotics.
• Extensive experience with large-scale data processing and simulation environments to validate system behavior.
• Demonstrated ability to translate abstract concepts into concrete, production-ready technical specifications.
• Strong understanding of the safety implications and regulatory landscape surrounding autonomous vehicle technology.
• Commitment to writing clean, maintainable, and efficient code that sets a standard for the entire team.

Nice to have

• Experience with deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
• Contributions to open-source robotics projects or significant academic publications that showcase thought leadership.

Skills & tools

• C++
• Python
• ROS (Robot Operating System)
• Machine Learning
• Robotics
• Autonomous Driving Systems

Practical notes

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Occasional travel may be required for team meetings, stakeholder reviews, or industry conferences.
• This is a full-time position based in the United States, requiring reliable high-speed internet and a suitable workspace for remote collaboration.
• The successful candidate must be able to manage their schedule effectively to accommodate overlapping work hours with distributed teams across different time zones.
• All communication regarding the role will be conducted through official Motional channels, and candidates are expected to adhere to the company's professional standards.
• The position involves a high degree of responsibility and autonomy, requiring self-motivation and the discipline to manage complex, long-term projects without direct supervision.
• Candidates should be prepared to engage with cutting-edge technologies that are still evolving, requiring a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation.
• The role demands a high level of integrity and judgment, as decisions made will significantly impact the safety and reliability of vehicles deployed on public roads.
• Preferred candidates will demonstrate a passion for robotics and a deep curiosity about the future of mobility.
• This role is not eligible for signing bonuses or relocation assistance due to the remote nature of the engagement and the specialized skill set required.