Staff Software Engineer- Operational Tools

Primary Purpose

Own the software Operations uses to run fleet, field, dispatch, monitoring, testing, and commercial workflows. This role is the technical owner of the operator’s end-to-end experience - a bridge across Operations, Product, Test, and Software Engineering.

You will work directly with operators, turn real operational problems into software, and take solutions through the full lifecycle: observe → define → design → build → test → deploy → measure → improve. Success is tooling that is more reliable, integrated, intuitive, and measurable, with less operator workload, fatigue, and disruption.

Essential Duties

• Own development, improvement, and integration of operational applications; diagnose production defects and workflow gaps.
• Build operator-facing applications in React, TypeScript, JavaScript, and Vue; integrate with GraphQL, REST, gRPC, PostgreSQL/SQL, and backend services in Node.js and Python.
• Work directly with operators to observe how work is done; simplify fragmented workflows and reduce cognitive load through strong UX and product judgment.
• Translate operational needs into requirements, designs, and acceptance criteria; verify that software solves the intended operational problem, not only that it functions.
• Establish automated testing, CI/CD quality gates, and telemetry for reliability, errors, usage, and workflow effectiveness.
• Provide technical leadership for architecture, modernization, and consolidation of operational tooling; mentor engineers and drive work from concept through production with high autonomy.
• Support after-hours validation or release as needed; occasional domestic travel.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field; 10+ years building production applications.
• Strong proficiency in React, TypeScript, JavaScript, and modern frontend architecture; Vue or comparable frameworks.
• Demonstrated passion for user-facing UX, usability, and workflow efficiency.
• Experience with GraphQL, REST, gRPC, PostgreSQL/SQL, Git, CI/CD, and automated testing.
• Ability to work directly with end users, turn ambiguous operational problems into working software, and operate with high ownership.
• Strong communication, mentoring, and the ability to learn new technologies quickly.
• Flexible schedule; willingness to support late meetings, night shifts, or urgent operational needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Node.js and/or Python; internal tools for frontline or mission-critical operations.
• Fleet monitoring, dispatch, dashboards, HMI, telemetry, or ride-hail/transportation integrations.
• Experience modernizing or consolidating fragmented systems; designing for situational awareness and operator fatigue.

Physical Demands & Working Environment

Frequently required to sit, talk, or hear; occasionally stand for long periods, walk, reach, and lift up to 50 pounds. Work may include outside weather, road conditions, pedestrian traffic, mechanical/computer parts, and occasional fumes. Noise is low to moderate. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Motional AD LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or another legally protected status. Motional AD LLC is a Drug-free workplace.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors including but not limited to specific skills, experience and expertise, role location, certifications, licenses, and business needs. The estimated compensation range listed in this job posting reflects base salary only. This role may include additional forms of compensation such as a bonus or company equity. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process. 

Candidates for certain positions are eligible to participate in Motional’s benefits program. Motional’s benefits include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401k with a company match, health saving accounts, life insurance, pet insurance, and more.

Salary Range

$125,000—$167,000 USD

Motional is a driverless technology company making autonomous vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. We’re driven by something more.

Our journey is always people first.

We aren't just developing driverless cars; we're creating safer roadways, more equitable transportation options, and making our communities better places to live, work, and connect. Our team is made up of engineers, researchers, innovators, dreamers and doers, who are creating a technology with the potential to transform the way we move.

Higher purpose, greater impact.

We’re creating first-of-its-kind technology that will transform transportation. To do so successfully, we must design for everyone in our cities and on our roads. We believe in building a great place to work through a progressive, global culture that is diverse, inclusive, and ensures people feel valued at every level of the organization. Diversity helps us to see the world differently; it’s not only good for our business, it’s the right thing to do.  

Scale up, not starting up.

Our team is behind some of the industry's largest leaps forward, including the first fully-autonomous cross-country drive in the U.S, the launch of the world's first robotaxi pilot, and operation of the world's longest-standing public robotaxi fleet. We’re driven to scale; we’re moving towards commercialization of our technology, and we need team members who are ready to embrace change and challenges.

Formed as a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, Motional is fundamentally changing how people move through their lives. Headquartered in Boston, Motional has operations in the U.S and Asia. For more information, visit  www.Motional.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

Motional AD Inc. is an EOE. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To comply with Federal Law, we participate in E-Verify. All newly-hired employees are queried through this electronic system established by the DHS and the SSA to verify their identity and employment eligibility.