Sr. Staff Engineer, Motion Planning and Controls, Autonomous Driving

Newark, United States
Lead/Staff
Posted 22 Sep 2026

Responsibilities

Motion Planning & Trajectory Optimization
Develop and enhance trajectory optimization algorithms (e.g., iLQR / MPC-based approaches) for low-speed scenarios
Design and implement constraint-aware optimization, including
Improve local planners to generate control-friendly trajectories
System Architecture & Performance Optimization
Refactor and scale planning stack architecture for maintainability and extensibility
Optimize CPU usage and explore parallel/GPU acceleration opportunities
Investigate and resolve real-world issues such as: Curvature discontinuities, velocity/trajectory mismatches, and edge-case steering behavior
Simulation and vehicle logs
Evaluate and prototype new approaches (e.g., learned models, barrier functions, ML-based planning)
Benchmark and compare planning algorithms for production viability
Contribute to next-gen planning initiatives, including ML-driven planning
Cross-Team Collaboration & Knowledge Transfer
Drive technical discussions and share algorithm insights across teams
Maintain high-quality documentation and support knowledge transfer

Preferred

ML-based planning approaches
GPU or parallel computing for planning
Track record of production deployment in real vehicles

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Staff Software Engineer to support the auto-parking and low-speed autonomy stack. This role focuses on trajectory optimization, path smoothing, and local planning, with direct impact on parking features such as Auto Park, Summon, and Park-to-Park. The ideal candidate will combine strong algorithmic foundations with production-grade software execution, driving both system performance and scalability. This role is based in Newark, CA. and requires employees to be onsite five days a week.

Improve system-level behaviors such as

Stability under dynamic constraints
Scalability across scenarios and vehicle platforms
Debugging, Validation, and Production Integration

Validate solutions using

Multi-scenario testing and benchmarking

Research, Prototyping, and Innovation

Track work via Jira with clear metrics and reproducible results

Required Qualifications

M.S. or Ph.D. in Robotics, Control, Electrical Engineering, or related field

10+ years of software development experience in autonomous driving, ADAS, or robotics, with a focus on large-scale data and real-time systems

Strong programming skills in C/C++ with solid understanding of software engineering design principles and best practices

Proven track record of delivering ADAS/AD features through the full production lifecycle: requirements analysis, architecture/design, implementation, unit testing, feature tuning, SIL/HIL validation, and in-vehicle deployment

Hands-on experience with software integration on embedded platforms (e.g., NVIDIA Xavier/Orin, Infineon Aurix)

Demonstrated ability to build reliable production-grade systems, including large-scale architectures, evaluation pipelines, and performance-optimized models

Preferred Qualifications

At Lucid, we don’t just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.

Salary Range

: The compensation range for this position is specific to the locations listed below and is the range Lucid reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job-related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; and other relevant business and organizational factors.

Base Pay Range (Annual)

$216,600
$317,680 USD

& Benefits

Lucid offers a comprehensive and competitive

benefits package

including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays, paid sick leave; and a 401(k) retirement plan. Hourly/non-exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours paid time off, and salaried/exempt employee accrue up to 160 hours paid time off. Eligible employees may also participate in Lucid’s equity program and/or a discretionary annual cash incentive program. Incentive and equity awards, if applicable, are determined based on individual performance, role scope, market considerations, and overall company results, in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Equal Opportunity

At Lucid, we believe diversity strengthens everything we build. Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive workplace for all. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal laws and regulations.

Accessibility

Lucid Motors is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need any accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at

TA-Operations <@> lucidmotors.com

This email address is designated solely for accommodation requests and is not monitored for job applications or resume submissions. To be considered for employment, all applications must be submitted through the Lucid Motors Careers website.

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