Senior / Staff Software Engineer, Localization

The role

You will design and build the systems that tell an autonomous vehicle exactly where it is, using sensor fusion and state estimation. You will write real-time code that runs on the vehicle and work with the Perception and Mapping teams.

What you will do

• Act as a domain expert in real-time vehicle localization and state estimation.
• Design, implement and optimize multi-sensor fusion algorithms using IMU, LiDAR, Radar, Camera, GNSS and wheel encoders.
• Architect mathematical models for factor graph optimization and Kalman filters.
• Develop low-latency Rust code that runs on the vehicle's compute devices in real time.
• Couple map data and semantic landmarks into the localization pipeline with the Perception and Mapping teams.
• Build evaluation frameworks for localization accuracy, integrity and fault tolerance in Waabi World and on physical test tracks.

Required qualifications

• BS, MS or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Aerospace/Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of industry experience.
• Deep expertise in probabilistic robotics, state estimation and 3D geometry (Gaussian estimation, filtering, smoothing, mapping).
• Proven experience building and optimizing online and/or offline SLAM systems, including point-cloud registration such as ICP.
• Extensive hands-on experience processing and fusing data from physical sensors (IMU, LiDAR, Radar, GNSS).
• Systems-level programming skills in modern C++ and/or Rust, including memory management, concurrency and real-time constraints.
• Proficiency in Python for data analysis, prototyping and tooling.
• Strong foundation in linear algebra, calculus and probability theory.
• Proven track record deploying state estimation algorithms onto physical robots or autonomous vehicles.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with optimization libraries such as GTSAM, Ceres Solver or g2o.
• Experience with learned localization, applying deep learning and AI/ML to improve state estimation and feature matching.
• Experience with high-speed highway autonomous driving constraints.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and equity awards.
• Medical, Dental and Vision coverage (full-time employees only).
• Unlimited vacation.
• Flexible hours and work-from-home support.
• Daily drinks, snacks and catered meals when in office.
• Regular team building activities and social events on-site, off-site and virtually.

Before you apply

• Waabi is an equal opportunity employer.
• Reasonable workplace accommodations are offered for qualified individuals with disabilities; contact the recruiting team if accommodation is needed in the application or interview process.

About the company

Waabi, founded by Raquel Urtasun, builds Physical AI for autonomous transportation, including commercial autonomous trucks and robotaxis. The company is backed by and partners with AI, automotive, logistics and deep tech leaders.