Senior or Staff Engineer - Reinforcement Learning and Planning for Autonomous Driving
Qualcomm
•
San Diego, CA
0
0
0
0
Not Applicable
Posted April 17, 2026
Job link
Thinking about this job
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
- Design and refine behavioral models using advanced reinforcement learning techniques to ensure safe and efficient autonomous driving.
- Integrate reinforcement learning models with real-world data and simulation frameworks to enhance model accuracy and reliability.
- Develop planning algorithms that leverage reinforcement learning to navigate complex driving scenarios safely and efficiently.
- Collaborate with researchers and engineers to push the boundaries of AI, driving innovation in autonomous vehicle technology.
- Works independently with minimal supervision
- Provides supervision/guidance to other team members.
Not Met Priorities
What still needs stronger evidence
Requirements
- Ph.D. + 2 years of industry experience in autonomous driving or robotics domain
- Proven expertise in reinforcement learning, including areas like offline RL, reward modeling, RLHF, DPO, GPRO.
- Experience with large-scale machine learning systems, distributed training, and deploying models in production environments.
Preferred Skills
- Ph.D. + 2 years of industry experience in autonomous driving or robotics domain
- Proficient in variety of deep learning models like CNN, Transformer, RNN, LSTM, VAE, GraphCNN etc.
- Proven expertise in reinforcement learning, including areas like offline RL, reward modeling, RLHF, DPO, GPRO.
- Strong programming skills in Python and experience with machine learning libraries such as PyTorch.
- Experience working with simulation environments and real-world data for model validation and performance benchmarking.
- Experience working with, modifying, and creating advanced algorithms
- Analytical and scientific mindset, with the ability to solve complex problems.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to work with a cross-functional team
- Track record of publications at top-tier conferences like NeurIPS, CVPR, ICRA, ICLR, CoRL, etc.
- Familiarity with self-driving technologies, sensor data processing, and real-time decision-making algorithms.
- Experience with large-scale machine learning systems, distributed training, and deploying models in production environments.
Education
- (Not required) – Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
- (Not required) – OR
- (Not required) – Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
- (Not required) – OR
- (Not required) – PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
- (Not required) – Ph.D. + 2 years of industry experience in autonomous driving or robotics domain
Company
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > ADAS R&D Systems
General Summary
This position is open for Santa Clara and San Diego locations.
We are seeking an experienced Senior or Staff Engineer with expertise in Reinforcement Learning and Behavioral Modelling to advance our AI driving technology. Your work will be pivotal in creating safe, efficient, and reliable autonomous driving systems.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Ph.D. + 2 years of industry experience in autonomous driving or robotics domain
Proficient in variety of deep learning models like CNN, Transformer, RNN, LSTM, VAE, GraphCNN etc.
Proven expertise in reinforcement learning, including areas like offline RL, reward modeling, RLHF, DPO, GPRO.
Strong programming skills in Python and experience with machine learning libraries such as PyTorch.
Experience working with simulation environments and real-world data for model validation and performance benchmarking.
Experience working with, modifying, and creating advanced algorithms
Analytical and scientific mindset, with the ability to solve complex problems.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to work with a cross-functional team
Track record of publications at top-tier conferences like NeurIPS, CVPR, ICRA, ICLR, CoRL, etc.
Familiarity with self-driving technologies, sensor data processing, and real-time decision-making algorithms.
Experience with large-scale machine learning systems, distributed training, and deploying models in production environments.
Principal Duties And Responsibilities
Design and refine behavioral models using advanced reinforcement learning techniques to ensure safe and efficient autonomous driving.
Integrate reinforcement learning models with real-world data and simulation frameworks to enhance model accuracy and reliability.
Develop planning algorithms that leverage reinforcement learning to navigate complex driving scenarios safely and efficiently.
Collaborate with researchers and engineers to push the boundaries of AI, driving innovation in autonomous vehicle technology.
Works independently with minimal supervision
Level Of Responsibility
Works independently with minimal supervision.
Provides supervision/guidance to other team members.
Decision-making is significant in nature and affects work beyond immediate work group.
Requires verbal and written communication skills to convey information. May require basic negotiation, influence, tact, etc. .
Has a moderate amount of influence over key organizational decisions.
Tasks do not have defined steps; planning, problem-solving, and prioritization must occur to complete the tasks effectively.
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay Range And Other Compensation & Benefits
$148,300.00 - $250,600.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > ADAS R&D Systems
General Summary
This position is open for Santa Clara and San Diego locations.
We are seeking an experienced Senior or Staff Engineer with expertise in Reinforcement Learning and Behavioral Modelling to advance our AI driving technology. Your work will be pivotal in creating safe, efficient, and reliable autonomous driving systems.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Ph.D. + 2 years of industry experience in autonomous driving or robotics domain
Proficient in variety of deep learning models like CNN, Transformer, RNN, LSTM, VAE, GraphCNN etc.
Proven expertise in reinforcement learning, including areas like offline RL, reward modeling, RLHF, DPO, GPRO.
Strong programming skills in Python and experience with machine learning libraries such as PyTorch.
Experience working with simulation environments and real-world data for model validation and performance benchmarking.
Experience working with, modifying, and creating advanced algorithms
Analytical and scientific mindset, with the ability to solve complex problems.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to work with a cross-functional team
Track record of publications at top-tier conferences like NeurIPS, CVPR, ICRA, ICLR, CoRL, etc.
Familiarity with self-driving technologies, sensor data processing, and real-time decision-making algorithms.
Experience with large-scale machine learning systems, distributed training, and deploying models in production environments.
Principal Duties And Responsibilities
Design and refine behavioral models using advanced reinforcement learning techniques to ensure safe and efficient autonomous driving.
Integrate reinforcement learning models with real-world data and simulation frameworks to enhance model accuracy and reliability.
Develop planning algorithms that leverage reinforcement learning to navigate complex driving scenarios safely and efficiently.
Collaborate with researchers and engineers to push the boundaries of AI, driving innovation in autonomous vehicle technology.
Works independently with minimal supervision
Level Of Responsibility
Works independently with minimal supervision.
Provides supervision/guidance to other team members.
Decision-making is significant in nature and affects work beyond immediate work group.
Requires verbal and written communication skills to convey information. May require basic negotiation, influence, tact, etc. .
Has a moderate amount of influence over key organizational decisions.
Tasks do not have defined steps; planning, problem-solving, and prioritization must occur to complete the tasks effectively.
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay Range And Other Compensation & Benefits
$148,300.00 - $250,600.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.