{"id":9647,"url":"https://alion.io/job/torc-robotics-staff-software-engineer-motion-planning-unstructured-environments","title":"Staff, Software Engineer - Motion Planning (Unstructured Environments)","company":{"id":3372,"name":"Torc Robotics","domain":"torc.ai","url":"https://alion.io/company/torc-robotics","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":81,"open_postings":4,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.75,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":50,"computed_at":"2026-10-17T05:46:00Z"}},"role":"Robotics","role_family":"Robotics","seniority":"staff","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Blacksburg, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":186200,"max":223400,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":223400},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"Git","optional":false},{"name":"Google Test","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"Machine Learning","optional":false},{"name":"Motion Planning","optional":false},{"name":"Pytest","optional":false},{"name":"Robot Framework","optional":false},{"name":"Apollo","optional":true},{"name":"Autoware","optional":true},{"name":"CUDA","optional":true},{"name":"CUDA Toolkit","optional":true},{"name":"Imitation Learning","optional":true},{"name":"Model Predictive Control","optional":true},{"name":"Reinforcement Learning","optional":true},{"name":"Reinforcement Learning","optional":true},{"name":"ROS","optional":true},{"name":"ROS2","optional":true},{"name":"TensorRT","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-07-15T17:26:51Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-01","last_verified_at":"2026-10-17T21:38:59Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":94,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":94},"description":"About The Company: \nAt Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will transform how we travel, move freight, and do business. A leader in autonomous driving since 2007, Torc has spent over a decade commercializing our solutions with experienced partners. Now a part of the Daimler family, we are focused solely on developing software for automated trucks to transform how the world moves freight. Join us and catapult your career with the company that helped pioneer autonomous technology, and the first AV software company with the vision to partner directly with a truck manufacturer. \nMeet The Team: \nTorc is hiring a Staff Motion Planning Engineer to lead technical development for the planning, prediction, and decision-making systems that determine how our autonomous trucks navigate the world safely, efficiently, and predictably. Our team operates at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, optimization, simulation, and safety, building the core autonomy capabilities that translate perception into action. \nWhat You'll Do: \nThis role is focused on motion planning, trajectory generation, and trajectory optimization for autonomous vehicles in unstructured environments. You will provide technical leadership across teams and platforms, driving architectural strategy, engineering excellence, and scalable system design. You will lead high-impact technical initiatives, influence long-term engineering direction, and contribute directly to the design, development, validation, and deployment of planning capabilities. \nThis role operates at a multi-team level with broad organizational impact. You will work closely with engineers and leaders across autonomy, controls, simulation, safety, and validation to help deliver safe, robust, and reliable autonomy behaviors at scale. \nTechnical LeadershipDefining and maintaining the architectural vision across teams, platforms, and services to ensure scalability, reliability, maintainability, long-term technical alignment, and consistency of software design patterns\nSupporting Engineering Managers and Senior ICs in resolving complex technical design, architecture, and implementation challenges across multiple domains while balancing feasibility against business objectives\nEstablishing and promoting engineering best practices for code quality, automated testing, performance optimization, monitoring, security, and operational excellence\nConducting architecture reviews, technical deep dives, design sessions, and technical assessments to guide engineering decisions and solution direction\nMentoring and coaching senior and mid-level engineers while helping grow future Staff and Principal engineers through technical guidance and leadership development\nFostering a culture of engineering excellence, documentation, collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing across the organization\nTranslating complex technical concepts, trade-offs, and architectural decisions into clear recommendations for leadership and cross-functional stakeholders\nLeading major technical initiatives such as platform modernization, observability enhancements, performance optimization, scalability improvements, and reliability engineering efforts \n\nSoftware DevelopmentDesign, develop, and optimize motion planning algorithms including trajectory generation, trajectory selection, behavior planning, and optimization-based planning approaches for autonomous trucks.\nDevelop planning solutions leveraging techniques such as graph search, sampling-based planning, optimization-based planning, spline/B-spline trajectories, convex optimization, and Frenet-frame approaches.\nIncorporate vehicle kinematic and dynamic constraints into planning systems to ensure safe, feasible, and comfortable vehicle behavior.\nDevelop production-quality software using modern C++ within a Linux environment while adhering to quality, safety, testing, and deployment best practices.\nCollaborate closely with Safety, Controls, Perception, Validation, and Simulation teams to develop safe and reliable autonomous driving behaviors. \n\n Testing, Integration, and MetricsDevelop and execute validation strategies across Software-in-the-Loop (SiL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL), and Vehicle-in-the-Loop (ViL) environments.\nInvestigate and debug vehicle behavior by reproducing issues in simulation, analyzing system performance, and implementing software improvements.\nSupport vehicle integration, deployment activities, and post-deployment investigations to ensure reliable autonomy performance.\nPerform on-vehicle troubleshooting using real-time diagnostic tools and in-depth log analysis. \n\nWe are seeking a Software Engineer who is passionate about solving challenging autonomy problems and building production-quality software for real-world autonomous systems. \nWhat You'll Need to Succeed: \nBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field with: 10+ years of industry experience OR Master's degree with 7+ years of experience OR PhD with 5+ years of experience.\nProven experience operating as a Staff, Principal, or multi-team technical leader within complex engineering organizations including experience leading large cross-functional technical initiatives across multiple engineering teams\nDeep expertise developing robotics, autonomous vehicle, ADAS, or other complex real-time software systems.\nDeep expertise in modern C++ development within Linux-based environments.\nDiverse experience developing motion planning, trajectory generation, trajectory optimization, behavior planning, or decision-making systems for robotics or autonomous systems.\nStrong understanding of vehicle dynamics, vehicle kinematics, trajectory feasibility, and planning system architecture.\nStrong foundation in linear algebra, numerical optimization, geometry, and robotics algorithms.\nHands-on experience with analyzing metrics to optimize performance in a resource-constrained environment.\nExcellent troubleshooting skills with the ability to perform both real-time diagnostics and in-depth post-analysis.\nMastery of software engineering fundamentals, system design principles, and scalable development practices.\nExperience with version control (Git), build systems, and package management.\nUnderstanding of test automation principles and proficiency with unit testing and test automation frameworks (pytest, Robot Framework, gtest, etc.)\nStrong problem-solving skills and the ability to debug complex system-level issues.\nExcellent communication and collaboration skills within cross-functional engineering teams.\nAbility to work independently while contributing effectively within a highly collaborative environment. \nBonus Points! \nExperience with Model Predictive Path Integral (MPPI), Model Predictive Control (MPC), convex optimization, quadratic programming (QP), nonlinear optimization, or other optimization-based planning techniques for autonomous vehicles.\nExperience applying machine learning techniques such as imitation learning, reinforcement learning, or hybrid planning architectures.\nExperience integrating machine learning models into real-time or production systems.\nExperience working with simulation platforms and large-scale autonomy validation environments.\nExperience with robotics frameworks such as ROS/ROS2, Autoware, Apollo, or similar autonomy platforms.\nExposure to CUDA, GPU acceleration, TensorRT, or high-performance compute environments.\nExperience supporting on-vehicle testing, debugging, and deployment activities.\nPassion for autonomous vehicles, robotics, and solving complex real-world engineering challenges.\nContributions to open-source projects related to embedded Linux, robotics, or deployment automation. \nWork Location: For this position, we are open to hiring in our Blacksburg, VA office work location in a hybrid capacity. We are also open to hiring Remote in the United States & Canada with semi-monthly travel to Blacksburg, VA. Some travel to Europe may be required. \nU.S. Citizenship Requirement: \nThis position requires access to information and systems that are restricted under U.S. law. Accordingly, only U.S. citizens are eligible for this role. This requirement is based on applicable government regulations and is not related to immigration status discrimination. \nPerks of Being a Full-time Torc’r \nTorc cares about our team members and we strive to provide benefits and resources to support their health, work/life balance, and future. Our culture is collaborative, energetic, and team focused. Torc offers: \nA competitive compensation package that includes a bonus component and stock options\n100% paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees \n401K plan with a 6% employer match\nFlexibility in schedule and generous paid vacation (available immediately after start date)\nCompany-wide holiday office closures\nAD+D and Life Insurance \nAt Torc, we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We celebrate the uniqueness of our Torc’rs and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, veteran status, or disabilities. \nEven if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications listed for this opportunity, we encourage you to apply. \nOur compensation reflects the cost of labor across several geographic markets. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Torc's total compensation package will also include our corporate bonus and stock option plan. Dependent on the position offered, sign-on payments, relocation, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. \nJob ID: R-102807\nHiring Range for Job Opening \nUS Pay Range\n$186,200—$223,400 USD","description_format":"text","description_chars":9988,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":10,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["401k plan","Life insurance","Stock options"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":true,"industries":["Robotic Software & Control Systems","Autonomous Driving","Logistics","Road Transport"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-07-15T17:26:51Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 71 · green card filings: 9","filings_12m":71,"filings_prev_12m":91,"green_card_filings_12m":9,"median_offered_wage_usd":170250,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-15T11:24:14+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":63}],"liveness":{"score":33,"band":"fade","label":"Fading","p_open":1,"p_active":0.731,"p_room":0.45,"age_days":93,"expected_fill_days":50,"reasons":["conf:3","velocity","win:tail"],"computed_at":"2026-10-17T05:46:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":223400,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/torc-robotics-staff-software-engineer-motion-planning-unstructured-environments","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/torc-robotics-staff-software-engineer-motion-planning-unstructured-environments.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-17T22:12:43Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":7245,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-18T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":3372},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=3372"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Ftorc-robotics-staff-software-engineer-motion-planning-unstructured-environments"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Ftorc-robotics-staff-software-engineer-motion-planning-unstructured-environments"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Ftorc-robotics-staff-software-engineer-motion-planning-unstructured-environments"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/torc-robotics-staff-software-engineer-motion-planning-unstructured-environments\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Ftorc-robotics-staff-software-engineer-motion-planning-unstructured-environments"}]}