Principal Sensor Simulation Engineer

Mission Summary:

We are looking to add a talented Principal Sensor Simulation Engineer to our Advanced Technology team. You will help simulate and build state-of-the-art sensor suites to empower machine learning models for planning, decision making, and motion prediction. As a software engineer, you will help design and simulate advanced sensors that drive our car, as well as related metrics, visualization, and data infrastructure. Your software engineering and data analytics experience will inform your pragmatic approach to making a more intelligent autonomous vehicle. 

The purpose of the Advanced Technology team is to develop sensor suites and pipeline control and processing algorithms that advance the state of the art in Perception, Prediction and Motion Planning, giving guidance to the Autonomy team on new directions to explore to achieve step changes in performance.

What you'll be doing: 

• Lead development of the sensor simulation for our current and next generation systems 
• Develop methods to calibrate simulations to actual sensors and Machine Learning performance
• Develop methods to derive ODD performance from simulated sensor and sensor suite performance
• Enable sensor simulation to drive Deep Learning on our next-generation platform
• Develop codebase for efficient simulation, calibration, training and testing pipelines
• Define and implement interactive visualization of simulation results to determine “what this means”
• Write reports and file patents

What we're looking for: 

• MS in computer science, engineering, or applied math with 10+ years practical experience in sensors, data science, modeling, statistics, and analysis of large data sets
• In-depth understanding of common sensors (vision, lidar, radar, ultrasonic), their performances, simulation methods, and use in AV systems
• Expert in developing software architectures for simulation, data processing, and visualization
• Understanding of common Machine Learning and Deep Learning algorithms (e.g. for classification, regression, and clustering)
• Experience designing, training, and analyzing neural networks for at least one of the following applications: object detection, image segmentation, sensor fusion, multitask learning, motion prediction, and/or tracking
• Advanced knowledge of software engineering principles including software design, source control management, build processes, code reviews, testing methods
• Fluency in Python and C++, including standard scientific computing libraries and Python bindings development experience
• Experience working with large data sets

Bonus points: 

• Experience reviewing AV & ADAS vehicle logs to understand sensor impairments that challenge the autonomous system performance
• Experience with PyTorch or other deep learning frameworks
• A background in robotics, particularly self-driving, whether on- or off-road

Why you should join us: 

• Opportunity to contribute across multiple disciplines: sensor hardware, sensor software, perception, prediction, planning
• Design and implement the system the right way
• Speaking opportunities are encouraged and supported

Our team is commercializing a world-class driverless system. The Motional team is behind some of the industry’s largest leaps forward in the last decade, 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 most-established public robotaxi fleet. Strategically formed by Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, Motional is fundamentally changing how people move through their lives.

We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and provide a supportive work environment that prioritizes collaboration, communication, and creativity. Our team members are committed to delivering high-quality results that make a real difference in the world. If you are passionate about the future of autonomous vehicles and want to work with a team of talented and motivated professionals, we encourage you to apply to join team.  Additionally, we offer excellent benefits to include generous medical plans, wellness benefits, unlimited PTO, 401k and equity, to name a few.

Work environment: 

The Motional Pittsburgh office is located in the new Hazelwood Green development, a culmination of the city’s goal of restoring an economic driver to the neighborhood in a thoughtful, inclusive, and sustainable way. With views along the Monongahela river, the Pittsburgh office is in the heart of this new state of the art development.  This position can also support remote work within the United States only. 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to convey and detect communication
• The employee occasionally required to remain stationary at times for up to 50% of working time, move in designated working areas; & operate and use office equipment
• The employee may occasionally move up to 50 pounds