Applied Intuition
Motion Planning Engineer
About this role
Applied Intuition seeks a Motion Planning Engineer to develop and integrate autonomous path planning algorithms for aerial platforms ranging from small UAVs to fighter aircraft. You'll collaborate across teams to deploy GNC software on real defense systems and work directly with DoD experts and OEM vendors.
What you'll do
- Develop and test path planning algorithms for Group 1-5 UAVs and manned aircraft systems
- Integrate autonomy software into OEM hardware and product stacks for military applications
- Build and improve aerial autonomy software architectures deployed on real systems
- Collaborate with DoD warfighters and vehicle vendors on autonomy integration
- Write C++ or Python code for motion planning and outer-loop control systems
- Travel to customer sites and testing locations as needed (~20% of time)
What they're looking for
- 3D+ path planning (RRT*, sampling-based methods)
- 2/2.5D grid-based planning (A* algorithms)
- C++ or Python for autonomy algorithm development
- Outer-loop control systems design
- Git, Visual Studio Code, GitLab version control
- Object-oriented and data-oriented programming
- Linux development environments
- UAS GNC systems (PX4, Ardupilot preferred)
Benefits
- Base salary, equity (options/RSUs), and comprehensive health/dental/vision insurance
- 401k retirement with employer match
- Learning and wellness stipends
- Paid time off
- Flexible work arrangements with 5-day office expectation
- Work on cutting-edge defense and commercial autonomous systems
Opens the official application on the employer’s site. No login required.
Applied Intuition
Applied Intuition builds autonomous vehicle and defense systems software, including motion planning algorithms, simulation infrastructure, and autonomy integration platforms for aerial and ground platforms. The company is hiring for security engineers, robotics/autonomy software engineers, hardware-in-the-loop specialists, and IT operations professionals to support its growing physical AI operations.
- Website
- appliedintuition.com
Likely interview questions
- Walk us through a path planning algorithm you've implemented—which method did you use and why?
- Describe your experience integrating autonomy software onto real hardware systems. What challenges did you face?