Full-Time

Principal Engineer – Team Lead

Localization and Mapping

Updated on 4/17/2025

Motional

Motional

1,001-5,000 employees

Develops fully driverless robotaxis for urban transport

Compensation Overview

$212k - $284k/yr

+ Performance Bonus + Equity Grant

Senior, Expert

Company Historically Provides H1B Sponsorship

Remote in USA

Category
Embedded Engineering
Software Engineering
Required Skills
Machine Learning
C/C++
Linux/Unix
Requirements
  • Masters or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics or a related technical field; or equivalent industry experience
  • Extensive experience managing and leading engineers
  • Proven leadership skills at executing large, complex technical initiatives
  • Proven track record of shipping production software in localization or state estimation
  • Deep understanding of SLAM, particularly state-of-the-art visual and visual-inertial SLAM
  • Fluency in C++ software engineering and algorithm skills in a Unix environment
  • 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 localization projects that improve our self-driving vehicles’ capability to safely and comfortably navigate complex ODDs
  • Lead, manage and grow a team of engineers
  • Drive the strategy and roadmap for next generation localization solutions
  • Communicate strategies, progress and challenges to executive leadership
  • Design and lead the implementation of localization solutions that leverage the latest in SLAM / VSLAM including advancements using ML
  • Productionize and deploy solutions onto autonomous vehicle fleets
  • Collaborate with mapping, perception, integration and systems teams to validate and enhance your products’ on-road performance
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience applying machine learning techniques to SLAM problems
  • Experience with embedded systems and real-time optimization, especially in the autonomous driving industry

Motional develops fully driverless vehicles, specifically robotaxis, aimed at transforming urban transportation. Their all-electric robotaxis are designed to navigate complex city environments safely and are integrated into existing mobility networks for ride-hailing and delivery services. Motional's unique Command Center allows for real-time tracking of each vehicle, providing human agents with the ability to monitor performance and ensure passenger safety. This oversight helps address any operational issues quickly. Unlike many competitors, Motional focuses on creating a seamless integration of autonomous vehicles into current transportation systems, making driverless technology more accessible and reliable. The company's goal is to make driverless vehicles a safe and efficient option for urban mobility.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)

Total Funding

$918M

Headquarters

Boston, Massachusetts

Founded

2020

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Motional raised $475 million from Hyundai, boosting its financial stability.
  • Partnerships with Uber and Shake Shack expand Motional's market reach in delivery services.
  • Increased robotics investments indicate strong market interest in autonomous technology.

What critics are saying

  • Recent layoffs of 550 employees suggest potential financial instability.
  • Tesla's upcoming robotaxi debut could intensify market competition for Motional.
  • Departure of COO Abe Ghabra may disrupt leadership and strategic direction.

What makes Motional unique

  • Motional offers a state-of-the-art Command Center for real-time robotaxi tracking.
  • The company partners with ride-hailing services to integrate autonomous vehicles efficiently.
  • Motional's all-electric robotaxis are designed for complex urban environments.

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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

Nation's Restaurant News
Aug 14th, 2024
Shake Shack rolls out sidewalk robot delivery with Serve Robotics and Uber Eats

Last November, NRN reported that Shake Shack was partnering with Motional to use the company's Ioniq 5 robotaxi to shuttle delivery orders around in Las Vegas, also in partnership with Uber.

The Robot Report
Jun 25th, 2024
Robotics Investments Drive Past $2.1B In May

Listen to this article. Robotics investments for May 2024 topped $2.1 billion, the result of funding for 38 companies. The $2.1 billion is the highest monthly funding amount for the year 2024 and greatly exceeds the trailing 12-month average of $1.2 billion. Robotics funding through May 2024 totals approximately $5.7 billion. The two largest robotics investments were raised by autonomous driving companies. UK-based Wayve raised a $1 billion Series C, while Massachusetts-based Motional raised $475 million from Hyundai

The Robot Report
Jun 24th, 2024
Meet Dal-E Delivery And Parking Robot, Hyundai’S Office-Friendly Systems

Listen to this articleHyundai’s DAL-e delivery robot is equipped with face identification AI developed by Robotics LAB. | Source: Hyundai Motor Group. South Korea, which already has the world’s highest robot density, is getting more service robots. Hyundai Motor Group last week announced the deployment of the DAL-e Delivery robot from Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp., as well as Hyundai WIA’s Parking Robot. The partners said the robots will deliver beverages and provide parking services, respectively, at Factorial Seongsu, a smart building owned by IGIS Asset Management

PYMNTS
Jun 5th, 2024
Let The Chips Fall: Musk’S Xai Plans Spotlight Tesla’S Autonomy Challenges

For as long as cars have existed, entrepreneurs have chased the dream of autonomous vehicles. Self-driving vehicles, across commercial, personal and industrial use, have the potential to transform — and connect — nearly all facets of commerce and the digital economy. But with news reported Tuesday (June 4) by CNBC that Elon Musk is diverting computing resources that Tesla had ordered from chipmaker Nvidia to another of his companies, social platform X, and in particular its artificial intelligence subsidiary, xAI, observers are beginning to wonder if Tesla’s promises around building a fast-approaching autonomous future could be in question

Yahoo Finance
Jun 5th, 2024
Hyundai-backed Motional buys time with a bridge loan

Autonomous vehicle technology startup Motional has secured a bridge loan that provides a temporary financial reprieve as the company searches for a longer-term source of funding, TechCrunch has learned. Motional CEO Karl Iagnemma told staff in a companywide email viewed by TechCrunch that the company's board of directors approved the bridge financing.