Engineer

Senior Engineer - Motion Planning and Controls, Autonomous DrivingNewark, CAAt Lucid, we are creating exceptional mobility experiences through innovation to drive the world forward. Built on Lucid's proprietary technology and software-defined vehicle architecture, our award-winning vehicles bring our "Compromise Nothing™" approach to the global automotive market. That means refusing to choose between performance and sustainability, design and engineering, ambition and integrity. In Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity, we have designed and built vehicles that have redefined their segments, combining exceptional range, performance, design, and expansive space in a single experience.We achieve this through deep vertical integration, with design, engineering, and production happening in-house across our global offices and manufacturing facilities. Our teams come from industries around the world, united by a shared commitment to excellence. By refusing to settle, you can help redefine what's possible and shape the future of mobility.Leading the future in luxury electric and mobility At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence. Vehicles that are intuitive, liberating, and designed for the future of mobility. We plan to lead in this new era of luxury electric by returning to the fundamentals of great design – where every decision we make is in service of the individual and environment. Because when you are no longer bound by convention, you are free to define your own experience. Come work alongside some of the most accomplished minds in the industry. We're providing a community for innovators who want to make an immediate and significant impact. If you are driven to create a better, more sustainable future, then this is the right place for you.Role OverviewWe are seeking a Senior Motion Planning 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.Key ResponsibilitiesMotion Planning & Trajectory Optimization Develop and enhance trajectory optimization algorithms (e.g., iLQR / MPC-based approaches) for low-speed scenariosDesign and implement constraint-aware optimization, includingImprove local planners to generate control-friendly trajectoriesSystem Architecture & Performance Optimization Refactor and scale planning stack architecture for maintainability and extensibilityOptimize CPU usage and explore parallel/GPU acceleration opportunitiesImprove system-level behaviors such as: Stability under dynamic constraintsScalability across scenarios and vehicle platformsDebugging, Validation, and Production Integration Investigate and resolve real-world issues such as: Curvature discontinuities, velocity/trajectory mismatches, and edge-case steering behaviorValidate solutions using: Simulation and vehicle logsMulti-scenario testing and benchmarkingResearch, Prototyping, and Innovation Evaluate and prototype new approaches (e.g., learned models, barrier functions, ML-based planning)Benchmark and compare planning algorithms for production viabilityContribute to next-gen planning initiatives, including ML-driven planningCross-Team Collaboration & Knowledge Transfer Drive technical discussions and share algorithm insights across teamsMaintain high-quality documentation and support knowledge transferTrack work via Jira with clear metrics and reproducible resultsRequired QualificationsM.S. or Ph.D. in Robotics, Control, Electrical Engineering, or related field2+ years of software development experience in autonomous driving, ADAS, or robotics, with a focus on large-scale data and real-time systemsStrong programming skills in C/C++ with solid understanding of software engineering design principles and best practicesProven 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 deploymentHands-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 modelsPreferred QualificationsML-based planning approachesGPU or parallel computing for planningTrack record of production deployment in real vehiclesBase Pay Range (Annual): $158,400 - $217,800 USDCompensation & Benefits: Lucid offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays; and a 401(k) retirement plan. 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.