# Planning - Technical Lead

**Company:** [Applied Intuition](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/applied-intuition)
**Location:** Sunnyvale, CA
**Role:** Engineering Management
**Salary:** $231k – $301k/yr
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** C++, Motion Planning, Autonomous Vehicles, Machine Learning, Perception Systems, Sd Maps, Planning Algorithms, Software Architecture, Safety-Critical Software, Automotive Standards
**Posted:** 2026-04-21

> Leads development of motion planning algorithms for autonomous vehicles, mentors engineers, architects planning modules integrating perception and maps, ensures deployment readiness, and collaborates with customers. Requires 5+ years in AV planning, C++ fluency, and BS in CS/Robotics.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a team of software engineers focused on onroad behavior software and motion planning for autonomous navigation
- Develop state-of-the-art onroad behavior software and leverage ML components to achieve highway and city driving
- Leverage lightweight map data (SD maps) and the outputs of a perception system to determine driving costs to use for planning
- Architect and oversee the implementation of planning modules that integrate perception outputs, predictions, and lightweight map data for dynamic path planning
- Ensure deployment readiness by establishing testing protocols and validation on production hardware and real-world road conditions, partnering with evaluation and vehicle teams
- Collaborate directly with customer engineering teams, managing technical relationships to align deliverables with their autonomy goals
- Drive continuous improvement in software practices, performance optimization, and innovation within the planning domain
- Contribute technical leadership to internal project planning, prioritization, and roadmap development

## Requirements
- BS in Computer Science, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, or related engineering field with focus on planning
- 5+ years of experience building and leading production software teams, specifically in planning algorithms for autonomous vehicles
- Proven ability to lead technical projects end-to-end and mentor junior engineers
- Fluency in modern **C++** and experience with performance-critical software
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to deliver practical, scalable solutions in fast-paced environments
- Excellent communication skills for both technical leadership and customer-facing interactions

## Nice to Have
- Advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in Computer Science, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, or related engineering field with focus on planning
- Experience with safety-critical software development and automotive industry standards
- Hands-on experience testing planning systems on autonomous vehicles
- Familiarity with machine learning applications in motion planning, combining traditional approaches with the state of the art

## Compensation
Base salary range: **$231,295 - $300,500 USD** annually, plus equity and benefits.

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