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Staff Software Engineer - Behaviors

Ann Arbor, MI, Blacksburg, VA, Fort Worth, TX, Remote - U.S

About the Company 

At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will transform how we travel, move freight, and do business. 

A leader in autonomous driving since 2007, Torc has spent over a decade commercializing our solutions with experienced partners. Now a part of the Daimler family, we are focused solely on developing software for automated trucks to transform how the world moves freight. 

Join us and catapult your career with the company that helped pioneer autonomous technology, and the first AV software company with the vision to partner directly with a truck manufacturer. 

Meet the Team:

Join Torc's Behaviors Team, where we develop the planning, prediction, and decision-making systems that determine how our autonomous trucks navigate the world safely, efficiently, and predictably. Our team operates at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, optimization, simulation, and safety, building the core autonomy capabilities that translate perception into action.

We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer who thrives in a hands-on technical leadership role and is passionate about solving some of the most challenging problems in autonomous driving. This position combines deep technical ownership with cross-functional influence, requiring expertise in motion planning, behavior prediction, autonomy architecture, and production software development. You will help shape the future direction of Torc's planning systems while mentoring engineers and driving execution across critical autonomy initiatives.

What You'll Do

  • Design, develop, and maintain core planning and prediction systems, including trajectory generation, behavior prediction, decision-making, and motion planning algorithms for autonomous trucks.

  • Advance and evaluate multiple planning approaches, including optimization-based, learning-based, and hybrid architectures, making data-driven decisions on where each methodology delivers the greatest value.

  • Own technical solutions across the full software lifecycle, including architecture design, implementation, testing, simulation validation, vehicle integration, deployment, and long-term maintenance.

  • Develop production-quality software using modern C++ within a Linux environment while adhering to quality, safety, testing, and deployment best practices.

  • Drive simulation-based validation efforts across Software-in-the-Loop (SiL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL), and Vehicle-in-the-Loop (ViL) environments to ensure robust performance and prevent regressions.

  • Partner closely with Safety, Controls, Perception, Validation, and Simulation teams to develop safe and reliable autonomous driving behaviors, including fallback strategies and minimum-risk maneuvers.

  • Lead root-cause investigations by reproducing field issues in simulation, debugging vehicle behavior, and translating findings into actionable software improvements.

  • Influence technical strategy, roadmap planning, and long-term architectural direction across the Behaviors organization.

  • Act as a technical lead on complex, cross-functional initiatives, driving alignment and execution across teams and stakeholders.

  • Mentor engineers, raise technical standards, and help develop the next generation of autonomy leaders within the organization.

What You'll Need to Succeed

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field with 10+ years of industry experience; OR Master's degree with 7+ years of experience; OR PhD with 5+ years of experience.

  • Expert-level proficiency in modern C++ development within Linux-based environments.

  • Demonstrated experience delivering robotics, autonomous vehicle, or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) software into production.

  • Strong experience designing and developing motion planning, behavior planning, prediction, or decision-making systems for autonomous systems or robotics applications.

  • Deep understanding of software architecture, system design, and scalable engineering practices.

  • Experience working across the full software development lifecycle, from concept and design through deployment and operational support.

  • Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence technical direction across organizations.

  • Ability to operate independently in highly ambiguous environments while driving complex technical initiatives to completion.

Bonus Points!

  • Expertise in motion planning, trajectory optimization, behavior prediction, or decision-making systems for autonomous vehicles.

  • Experience with optimization and controls-based approaches such as Model Predictive Control (MPC), trajectory optimization, or numerical optimization techniques.

  • Experience applying machine learning techniques, including imitation learning, reinforcement learning, or hybrid planning architectures within autonomy systems.

  • Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics, state estimation, controls, and trajectory tracking.

  • Experience developing software in both C++ and Python environments.

  • Experience integrating machine learning models into real-time production systems.

  • Experience working with simulation platforms and large-scale autonomy validation environments.

  • Proven track record of technical leadership, cross-functional influence, and mentoring senior engineers.

  • Passion for autonomous vehicles, robotics, and building systems that operate safely in the real world.

Perks of Being a Full-time Torc’r 
Torc cares about our team members and we strive to provide benefits and resources to support their health, work/life balance, and future. Our culture is collaborative, energetic, and team focused. Torc offers:    
 

  • A competitive compensation package that includes a bonus component and stock options 
  • 100% paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees 
  • 401K plan with a 6% employer match 
  • Flexibility in schedule and generous paid vacation (available immediately after start date) 
  • AD+D and Life Insurance 

At Torc, we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We celebrate the uniqueness of our Torc’rs and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, veteran status, or disabilities. 
Even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications listed for this opportunity, we encourage you to apply. 

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several geographic markets. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Torc's total compensation package will also include our corporate bonus and stock option plan. Dependent on the position offered, sign-on payments, relocation, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. 

Job ID:  102756

Hiring Range for Job Opening 

US Pay Range

$186,200 - $223,400 USD

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