Senior Software Engineer - Trajectory Optimization

About Overland AI

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Overland AI is transforming land operations for modern defense. The company leverages over a decade of advanced research in robotics and machine learning, as well as a field-test forward ethos, to deliver combined capabilities for unit commanders. Our OverDrive autonomy stack enables ground vehicles to navigate and operate off-road in any terrain without GPS or direct operator control. Our intuitive OverWatch C2 interface provides commanders with precise coordination capabilities essential for mission success.  

Overland AI has secured funding from prominent defense tech investors including 8VC and Point 72, and built trusted partnerships with DARPA, the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command. Backed by eight-figure contracts across the Department of Defense, we are strengthening national security by iterating closely with end users engaged in tactical operations.   

Role Summary

We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer – Trajectory Optimization to design and implement local planning and trajectory optimization for unmanned ground vehicles in complex off-road and on-road terrain. These systems must perform at high speed in punishing conditions. You will need to balance fidelity and optimality against computational efficiency and robustness, and be able to show the result behaves as intended.

The ideal candidate has deep experience with model predictive control and sampling- or gradient-based trajectory optimization, a solid foundation in system identification, and a strong intuition for how vehicles behave when tires meet dirt.

What You'll Do

• Design and implement local trajectory optimization (e.g., MPC, MPPI) for autonomous ground vehicles across a range of platforms.
• Build and calibrate vehicle and vehicle–terrain models through system identification. Know when a model is good enough and when it isn't.
• Apply verification approaches (formal methods, reachability, constraint satisfaction, test design) to give evidence that the optimizer respects safety constraints.
• Make optimizers run in real time on edge compute, including CPU vs. GPU tradeoffs.
• Use our large corpus of off-road driving data for regression and progression testing.
• Work closely with Planning, Perception, and Controls in a shared codebase. Integrate and adapt quickly to new vehicles and sensor suites.
• Take part in field tests, demonstrations, and evaluation events, and own your work through deployment.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS or MS in CS, Robotics, Mechanical/Aerospace/Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience with MPC or trajectory optimization on real systems.
• Production-quality software in C++ and/or Python.
• Willingness to support periodic field testing.

Desired Experience & Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field.
• Experience with system identification and vehicle dynamics, especially off-road or on low-traction surfaces.
• Experience with safety-critical systems, formal verification, or certification.
• GPU programming experience (CUDA or similar) and an understanding of CPU vs. GPU paradigms.
• Autonomous robotic systems experience (UAV, UUV, AV).

Location:

This location for this position will be onsite in Seattle, WA

Compensation & Benefits:

Pay range:

Software Engineer: $160,000 - $190,000 annually

Senior Software Engineer: $200,000 - $230,000 annually

Actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Overland AI believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day.

Benefits Include:

• Equity compensation
• Best-in-class healthcare, dental, and vision plans
• Flexible PTO
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Monthly wellness stipend
• One-time workplace & productivity reimbursement

Overland AI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

This position may involve access to export-controlled technology. Employment is contingent on the ability to comply with U.S. export control laws.

Overland AI provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans during the application process. Please contact peopleops@overland.ai to request an accommodation.