Staff Geospatial Software Engineer- Large Driving Model, Motion Planning, Autonomy

Role Summary

We are seeking a Staff Geospatial Data Engineer to lead the architectural evolution of geospatial data prep and routing infrastructure for our Large Driving Model (LDM). In this role, you will bridge the gap between complex digital map representations, routing engines, and data pipelines for large-scale AI training. Your primary focus will be designing and optimizing high-throughput route processing systems, map-matching algorithms, and interfaces that transform raw spatial topology into ML-ready representations for onboard and offboard pipelines.

This is a high-impact position sitting at the intersection of spatial data engineering, graph algorithms, and production-grade AI infrastructure. You will be directly responsible for the C++ and Python development required to process massive routing graphs efficiently, ensuring seamless integration between map data and model inputs.

If you are a seasoned engineer with a deep algorithmic foundation in routing, map interactions, and a data-first mindset, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Route Processing Pipeline Architecture: Design, build, and own high-performance software related to route processing part of the data pipeline which serves as the foundational data preparation layer for our Large Driving Model (LDM).
• Routing Engine Integration: Lead the integration, customization, and optimization of spatial frameworks and routing engines to support complex driving scenarios and route parsing.
• Data Prep & Map Quality: Establish techniques to clean, validate, align, and enrich map features, minimizing data discrepancies between offboard training data prep and onboard deployment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with ML Infrastructure, Motion Planning, Localization, Mapping, and Simulation teams to define clean data interfaces and translate topological map data into effective model features.
• Technical Leadership: Act as a key technical authority on route data processing, spatial graphs, and routing architecture. Mentor junior engineers, establish best practices for spatial data handling, and define the long-term roadmap.
• Foster Engineering Excellence: Champion a culture of production-grade C++ and Python code, ensuring the route processing codebase is modular, scalable, thoroughly tested, and performant.

Qualifications

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of industry experience developing high-performance route processing algorithms, GIS/spatial data pipelines, or routing systems for autonomous platforms or large-scale mapping products.
• Expert C++ & Python: Mastery of production-grade C++ (data structures, memory management, multi-threading) alongside Python for data engineering, automation, and rapid prototyping.
• Routing & Map Algorithms: Deep technical foundation in spatial graph algorithms (A*, Dijkstra, contraction hierarchies), map-matching, spatial indexing, and topological data manipulation.
• Routing Engines & Map Formats: Hands-on experience with OpenStreetMap (OSM) data structures and modern open-source routing engines (e.g., Valhalla, OSRM) is a strong plus.
• Localization & Autonomous Context: Familiarity with localization concepts, spatial coordinate transformations, and HD/SD map abstractions within autonomous driving stacks.
• Leadership & Communication: Proven track record leading complex software projects, building technical consensus, and mentoring engineering peers.
• Hands-on Approach: Proactively identifies data bottlenecks in the LDM pipeline and "rolls up sleeves" to design and implement robust algorithmic solutions.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $228,000.00 - $285,000.00 for California based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.  You can apply for this role throughcareers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than October 31, 2026.