Senior Robotics Motion Planning Software Engineer

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About Bonsai Robotics

Bonsai Robotics' mission is to create the next leap forward in agriculture equipment efficiency by creating a new ecosystem of semi-autonomous robotic machinery. Orchards are dusty, hazard-filled, and GPS-denied. The GPS-based autosteer features that have driven row crop efficiencies cannot function in orchards. Our vision, AI, and machine control systems offer human-level environment understanding and local navigation capabilities and will be the platform for a new wave of innovation in agricultural production and management systems. We simultaneously solve twin crises impacting nut growers and most of specialty agriculture: there is not enough human labor when you need it, and operational expenses are growing dramatically. Our state-of-the-art technology empowers orchard managers to optimize their operations, dramatically reduce operational expenses, and increase profitability. We are pursuing a Bonsai Inside strategy, and partnering with the largest orchard Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the retrofitting of existing machines and design of new form factors. Bonsai is seeking an experienced Motion Planning & Controls Engineer to develop motion planning software for off-road autonomous systems. The ideal candidate will have experience in global planning, local planning, and/or controls algorithm design and development. This candidate will unlock the potential of Bonsai's Visionsteer technology and deliver value to end customers through safe and reliable systems. Strong candidates will exhibit the following key traits:

• Bachelor's, Masters, or PhD in computer science, electrical engineering, physics, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience, ideally in a robotics or autonomous systems field
• Proficient in C++, Python, ROS2, and/or other robotics programming languages
• Experience in GPS and GPS-denied planner design
• Experience with GPS, RTK, cameras, encoders, and other sensors
• Ability to work independently as an individual contributor and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary and diverse team
• Strong problem-solving skills and a hands-on approach to debugging and testing
• Excellent communication skills to effectively convey technical concepts to team members and stakeholders

Bonus points for:

• Experience designing motion planners for complex, safety-critical autonomous systems like “robotaxis,” autonomous trucks, autonomous agriculture machinery, etc
• Experience in designing and developing global planning algorithms
• Experience in designing algorithms for agriculture
• In-depth knowledge of GPS and RTK technologies, including practical experience with RTK GPS receivers and their integration into navigation systems.
• Experience with sensor fusion techniques to enhance positioning accuracy using data from various sensors like IMUs, LiDAR, and cameras.
• Experience operating agricultural machinery and farm equipment

What you'll do:

• Develop and implement GPS waypoint following algorithms for autonomous agricultural vehicles, ensuring precise and reliable navigation in the field.
• Integrate and optimize Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS data with other sensor inputs to achieve centimeter-level accuracy in vehicle positioning.
• Collaborate with the hardware team to select and integrate the appropriate GPS and RTK systems suitable for agricultural environments and vehicle platforms.
• Design, test, and maintain navigation software that enables the vehicle to follow predefined routes accurately while avoiding obstacles and adhering to safety protocols.
• Analyze and troubleshoot navigation-related issues in the field, providing timely solutions and improvements to enhance system performance.
• Conduct simulation and real-world testing to validate the performance and robustness of the navigation software.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in robotics, GPS, and agricultural technology, incorporating relevant innovations into the navigation system.
• Work closely with the broader robotics team to ensure seamless integration of navigation software with other vehicle functionalities and control systems.
• Document code, algorithms, and technical specifications for internal use and assist in creating user manuals for customers.

Bonsai Robotics values diversity, inclusivity, and excellence in hiring, and we strongly encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Join us in shaping the future of agriculture through cutting-edge technology and innovation.