Senior Software Engineer, Motion Planning

We are looking for an experienced Senior Software Engineer to join our Planning team and take a key role in improving the Kodiak Driver's ability to safely and gracefully handle challenging road conditions.

In this role, you will:

• Design and implement new approaches to help our trucks plan through challenging situations.
• Translate desired driving behaviors into algorithms, code, and cost functions that make the Kodiak Driver a safe, smooth, and polite road participant.
• Predict the behavior of other actors in a way that's both accurate and improves driving performance.
• Improve the end-to-end latency of the motion planning and prediction algorithms.
• Build tools that enable us to leverage real-world logs to improve our algorithms.
• Work closely with other teams to establish interfaces and requirements.
• Invent cross-functional solutions to cutting-edge problems in autonomous-driving.

Bonus points if you have:

• An interest in defining autonomy metrics and evaluation strategies.
• Knowledge of modern C++ (c++14 and newer) and version control systems (e.g., git).

What you'll bring:

• A strong background in robotics, planning, optimization, and mathematics (MS, PhD, or equivalent experience).
• At least 5 years of experience writing production-level C++ code.
• High standards for software quality and rigor, and a testing-oriented mentality.
• Good communication skills and a collaborative bent.
• Proven ability to iterate quickly and work hands-on.

What we offer:

Competitive compensation package including equity and annual bonuses. Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, and MetLife (including a medical plan with infertility benefits). MetLife Legal Services, Identity & Fraud Protection, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, & Critical Illness Insurance. Flexible PTO, 10 paid holidays, and generous parental leave policies.

Our office is centrally located in Mountain View, CA.

Office perks: dog-friendly, free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen, and free EV charging. Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance. Wellbeing Benefits - Headspace through Cigna, Calm through Kaiser, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health through Cigna, Rula (mental health navigation). Fidelity 401(k). Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA. Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.).