Full-Time

Senior Principal Engineer

Behaviors

Motional

Motional

501-1,000 employees

All-electric driverless robotaxi service provider

Compensation Overview

$212k - $283k/yr

+ Bonus + Equity

Company Historically Provides H1B Sponsorship

Boston, MA, USA

Remote

Category
Software Engineering (1)
Required Skills
Python
Tensorflow
Neural Networks
Pytorch
Machine Learning
Reinforcement Learning
Requirements
  • Masters or Ph.D. in Computer Science or a related technical field; or equivalent industry experience
  • Proven leadership skills at executing large, complex technical initiatives
  • Extensive experience managing and leading engineers
  • Experience with deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch
  • Fluency in Python, including standard scientific computing libraries
  • Proven track record of designing, developing and deploying ML solutions for autonomous vehicles or robotics
  • Advanced knowledge of software engineering principles including software design, source control management, build processes, code reviews, testing methods
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Responsibilities
  • Define and execute motion planning and prediction projects that improve our self-driving vehicles’ capability to safely, comfortably and legally navigate complex traffic scenarios
  • Lead, manage and grow a team of engineers
  • Design and lead the implementation of behavior models that leverage the latest advancements in machine learning, generative AI and reinforcement learning
  • Productionize and deploy solutions onto autonomous vehicle fleets
  • Collaborate with perception, simulation, data platform and integration teams to validate and enhance your products’ on-road performance
  • Communicate strategies, progress and challenges to executive leadership
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with embedded systems and real-time optimization, especially in the autonomous driving industry
  • Experience with state of the art generative AI, and/or reinforcement learning, paradigms
  • Proven track record of publications in relevant conferences (CVPR, ICML, NeurIPS, ICCV, ICL, etc.)
  • Strong programming skills in C++ and/or CUDA programming

Motional builds fully driverless, all-electric robotaxis for urban transportation. Its vehicles operate within ride-hailing and delivery networks by partnering with these services to provide autonomous mobility options. The cars use advanced sensors and software to navigate city streets safely, while a real-time Command Center monitors every robotaxi, allowing human agents to supervise operations, offer remote assistance, and ensure passenger safety. Motional differentiates itself through continuous real-time oversight, a scalable B2B model, and a focus on integrating autonomous vehicles into existing mobility networks rather than selling to individual consumers. The company aims to make driverless transportation safe, reliable, and accessible at scale, reducing costs and increasing efficiency for partners and riders alike.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)

Total Funding

$1.4B

Headquarters

Boston, Massachusetts

Founded

2020

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Uber partnership launches IONIQ 5 robotaxis in Las Vegas via app at no extra cost.
  • Hesai exclusive lidar supply enhances Level 4 AV sensor integration for IONIQ 5.
  • Hyundai's $3.4 billion investment supports 2026 driverless commercialization in Las Vegas.

What critics are saying

  • Waymo deploys 2000-vehicle fleet in Las Vegas summer 2026, capturing market share.
  • Uber dilutes Motional priority with Zoox, Baidu, Nissan, Wayve partnerships immediately.
  • Hyundai halts funding after $3.4B losses, triggering shutdown within 18 months.

What makes Motional unique

  • Motional integrates pre-installed sensors on Hyundai IONIQ 5 production lines.
  • Large Driving Models unify perception, anticipation, and planning in one AI system.
  • State-of-the-art Command Center enables real-time robotaxi tracking and remote assistance.

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Benefits

401K: 401K with up to 7.5% match

time Off: Unlimited sick and vacation days

Transportation: Commuter and fitness benefits

Healthcare: 3 plan options to support diverse needs

IVF: Fertility assistance

Company News

Business Insider
Mar 20th, 2026
Hyundai's Motional aims to deploy robotaxis at lower costs than Waymo

Hyundai-backed Motional has relaunched robotaxi operations in Las Vegas through Uber, two years after pausing its commercial service to overhaul its technology and reduce costs. CEO Laura Major told Business Insider the company can now deploy robotaxis more cheaply than competitors like Waymo. The company shifted from specialised models to "Large Driving Models" that adapt across geographies, whilst cutting 40% of its workforce to 700 employees. Motional's integration with Hyundai allows cars to arrive from production lines with sensors and compute power pre-installed, avoiding costly retrofitting. Currently operating with safety drivers, Motional plans fully driverless service by end-2026. The company will partner with ride-hailing platforms rather than launch its own app, with plans to license technology to other operators for fleet management.

Yahoo Finance
Mar 13th, 2026
Uber and Motional launch commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas

Uber and Hyundai Motor-backed Motional launched a commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas on Friday, marking the latest partnership as Uber expands its self-driving taxi strategy. The company has committed over $100 million to develop autonomous vehicle charging hubs. Las Vegas users can hail Motional's IONIQ 5 electric robotaxis through Uber's app at no extra cost. The service covers key areas including Las Vegas Boulevard, Resorts World, Downtown Las Vegas and Town Square near the airport. The vehicles will initially operate with human safety operators, with fully driverless service expected by late 2026. Motional's IONIQ 5 is among the first Level 4-capable autonomous vehicles certified under US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Uber has recently partnered with Amazon's Zoox, Baidu, Nissan and Wayve to expand autonomous offerings globally.

Yahoo Finance
Mar 13th, 2026
Uber and Motional launch commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas

Uber and Motional launch commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas. In this article: March 13 (Reuters) - Uber and Hyundai Motor-backed autonomous vehicle firm Motional launched a commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas on Friday, the latest in a string of similar tie-ups as the ride-hailing platform doubles down on its self-driving taxi strategy. Uber has already partnered with major players in the space, including Baidu, Amazon's Zoox, Nissan and British startup Wayve, and said it will invest more than $100 million to develop autonomous vehicle charging hubs as the sector races to commercialize driverless mobility at scale. * Uber's tie-up with Motional will allow Las Vegas users onits app to hail a driverless electric vehicle at no extra cost,the company said. * The service will cover pick-up zones along Las VegasBoulevard, including Resorts World, Encore at the Wynn, WestgateResort & Casino, Downtown Las Vegas and Town Square near theairport. * Users requesting UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort orUber Comfort Electric may be matched with a Motional IONIQ 5robotaxi, with the option to switch to a conventional ride. * Motional's IONIQ 5 is among the first SAE Level 4-capableautonomous vehicles certified under the U.S.'s Federal MotorVehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), according to Uber. * The vehicles will initially operate with a human safetyoperator behind the wheel, with a fully driverless serviceexpected to be launched by late 2026. * Earlier this week, Uber signed a multi-year deal to deployAmazon self-driving unit Zoox's robotaxis on its platform, withlimited services already live in Las Vegas and a pilot riderprogram underway in San Francisco. * On Thursday, Uber, Nissan and Wayve agreed to collaborate,targeting a pilot robotaxi launch in Tokyo by late 2026, markingUber's first autonomous vehicle partnership in Japan. (Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda)

Business Wire
Mar 13th, 2026
Uber and Motional launch robotaxi service in Las Vegas with electric IONIQ 5s

Uber and Motional have launched a robotaxi service in Las Vegas, allowing riders to be matched with all-electric Motional IONIQ 5 autonomous vehicles at no additional cost. The service is initially available at designated locations along Las Vegas Boulevard, including Resorts World Las Vegas, Encore at Wynn Las Vegas and downtown areas, with plans for future expansion. Riders requesting UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric may be matched with a robotaxi, with the option to decline. Initially, vehicles will feature a human operator monitoring from the driver's seat, with fully driverless operations expected by year-end. The partnership follows a 10-year framework agreement established in 2022 and previous pilots for delivery and ride-hailing services.

Engadget
Mar 13th, 2026
Uber robotaxi rides are now available for passengers in Las Vegas

Uber robotaxi rides are now available for passengers in Las Vegas. They will start showing up as an option in the Uber app. Contributing Reporter Fri, March 13, 2026 at 5:00 AM PDT Uber's and Motional's Hyundai Ioniq 5 autonomous EVs will start appearing as an option for riders in Las Vegas. Passengers requesting for an UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric ride may be matched with a Motional robotaxi. They will not be forced to take it, though, and will be notified and given the option to decline and choose a regular ride instead. But if they want to try it, they can boost their chances of getting matched with a robotaxi ride by opting in via the Ride Preferences section under Settings. Riders who get on autonomous rides will be able to unlock the vehicle through the Uber app. Inside, they'll hear audio cues reminding them to close the door and fasten their seatbelt. They'll also be able to access human support through the Uber app in case they need help. The companies started piloting the robotaxi service in Las Vegas in 2022 after establishing a 10-year partnership. Motional's Hyundai AVs were also tested by Uber Eats for autonomous deliveries in the same year. The first autonomous rides under the partnership will still have safety drivers behind the wheel to monitor the roads. They will also be only available, for now, at designated locations along Las Vegas Boulevard, "including rideshare zones at the Resorts World Las Vegas and Encore at the Wynn Las Vegas - plus Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino and curbside in Downtown Las Vegas and throughout the Town Square shopping district near the airport." By the end of the year, the companies expect to start offering fully autonomous rides with no human operators. They have plans to expand the rides' availability throughout the city, as well. Uber has also just announced that it's piloting a robotaxi service in Tokyo in late 2026 in partnership with UK self-driving car startup Wayve and Nissan. In addition, the Uber-backed Nuro will test its own autonomous vehicles in the Japanese metropolis soon.