Software Engineer – Motion Planning

Posted 16 Hours Ago
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San Jose, CA, USA
In-Office
141K-282K Annually
Senior level
Artificial Intelligence • Mobile • Other • Transportation
The Role
Develop and implement core motion planning and decision-making systems for autonomous vehicles, including geometry and velocity planning, trajectory optimization, scenario modeling, cost design for trajectory ranking, system analysis and debugging, and cross-team collaboration with Perception, Prediction, and Control.
Summary Generated by Built In

About The Company
DiDi's autonomous driving unit was established in 2016 with the mission of developing Level 4 autonomous driving (AD) technology to make transportation safer and more efficient. In August 2019, the unit became an independent company, DiDi Autonomous Driving, dedicated to advanced AD R&D, product application, and business expansion. We believe integrating AD technology into a shared-mobility fleet will generate immense social value. By leveraging DiDi's specialized technology, operational expertise, and integrated ecosystem, we are positioned to build and operate a highly efficient, user-oriented autonomous fleet.
About The Role
We are seeking a Software Engineer /Sr. Software Engineer to join our team and develop the core decision-making and motion planning systems for our autonomous vehicles. In this role, you will be responsible for creating the algorithms that enable smooth, safe, and intelligent navigation in complex environments. You will tackle challenges across the full motion planning stack, from high-level behavioral reasoning to low-level trajectory optimization.
Responsibilities

  • Design and implement the core motion planning logic that determines the vehicle's high-level actions (e.g., lane changes, merges, yields, and interactions with other agents).
  • Develop and optimize the motion planning algorithms that execute behavioral decisions, integrating Geometry Reasoning (path) and Speed Reasoning (velocity) into a cohesive trajectory.
  • Architect and enhance the geometry system for generating geometrically feasible and compliant paths.
  • Architect and refine the velocity system for generating context-aware, comfortable, and safe velocity profiles.
  • Model complex driving scenarios and agent interactions to create a robust world model for the behavioral planner.
  • Design different costs for trajectory ranking to trade off ETAs, comfort and safety of the vehicle behaviors.
  • Conduct in-depth analysis, testing, and debugging of the system's performance in various scenarios, leading root cause investigations.
  • Collaborate with Prediction, Perception, and Control teams to ensure a seamless flow from environmental understanding to physical vehicle motion.

Qualifications

  • B.S./M.S. in Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field.
  • Experience in autonomous systems, robotics, or automotive software development.
  • Strong proficiency in C++ for implementing complex, real-time algorithms.
  • Solid understanding of robotics fundamentals, including decision-making, motion planning, control theory, trajectory ranking, search and optimization algorithms etc.
  • Related experience in one or more of the following: motion planning, trajectory optimization and world environment reasoning, trajectory ranking and cost design.

Preferred Qualifications

  • PhD or internship experience related to robotics planning system designs.
  • Knowledge of vehicle dynamics and longitudinal/lateral control systems.
  • Solid understanding of machine learning principles, reinforcement learning and related algorithms.

The base salary range for the Software Engineer position is $141,463–$235,182 annually, and for the Senior Software Engineer position is $169,783–$282,264 annually, in addition to bonus, equity, and benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by the role, level, and location. Within the applicable range, individual compensation is based on the work location as well as other factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and training.
I acknowledge that prior to submitting this application, I have read and accepted the Privacy Notice for California Residents which is available on https://v.didi.cn/AQnxlBa

Skills Required

  • B.S./M.S. in Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field
  • Experience in autonomous systems, robotics, or automotive software development
  • Strong proficiency in C++ for implementing complex, real-time algorithms
  • Solid understanding of robotics fundamentals including decision-making, motion planning, control theory, trajectory ranking, search and optimization algorithms
  • Related experience in motion planning, trajectory optimization, world environment reasoning, or trajectory ranking and cost design
  • PhD or internship experience related to robotics planning system designs
  • Knowledge of vehicle dynamics and longitudinal/lateral control systems
  • Understanding of machine learning principles, including reinforcement learning
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The Company
HQ: Heerhugowaard
16,230 Employees
Year Founded: 2012

What We Do

DiDi Global Inc. (NYSE: DIDI) is the world’s leading mobility technology platform. It offers a wide range of app-based services across Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Africa, as well as in Central Asia and Russia, including ride hailing, taxi hailing, chauffeur, hitch and other forms of shared mobility as well as auto solutions, food delivery, intra-city freight and financial services. DiDi provides car owners, drivers and delivery partners with flexible work and income opportunities. It is committed to collaborating with policymakers, the taxi industry, the automobile industry and the communities to solve the world’s transportation, environmental and employment challenges through the use of AI technology and localized smart transportation innovations. DiDi strives to create better life experiences and greater social value, by building a safe, inclusive and sustainable transportation and local services ecosystem for cities of the future.

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