Software Engineer, Planning & Controls - Autonomy & Robotics

About this role

DoorDash Labs is seeking a Planning & Controls Engineer to develop flight control, motion planning, and mission planning algorithms for autonomous drone delivery systems. You'll design and implement controllers in C++ on embedded platforms, conduct flight testing, and own the full control stack from dynamics simulation through hardware validation.

What you'll do

• Develop and tune low-level flight control algorithms for multirotor and hybrid VTOL aircraft
• Design dynamics simulation and aerodynamics modeling for drone platforms
• Develop fault-tolerant control systems for motor loss and emergency behaviors
• Build trajectory motion planners with obstacle avoidance capabilities
• Bring up and calibrate flight controllers on new drone hardware
• Collaborate on high-level mission planning with fallback route management

What they're looking for

• C++ and embedded systems programming
• Control theory (linear/nonlinear systems, stability, controller synthesis)
• Motion planning algorithms (trajectory optimization, A*/D*/RRT)
• Dynamics modeling and aerodynamics simulation
• Flight controller development and tuning
• Linear algebra and optimization
• State estimation integration
• Brushless DC motor control

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with employer matching
• 16 weeks paid parental leave
• Flexible PTO plus 80 hours paid sick time annually
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Equity grant opportunities
• Commuter benefits and wellness programs

Likely interview questions

• Walk us through a flight control system you've designed end-to-end—what were the key control challenges and how did you address stability?
• How would you approach designing a fault-tolerant controller for a multirotor that loses one motor mid-flight?