Staff Software Engineer- Operational Tools

Primary Purpose

Own the software Operations uses to run fleet, field, dispatch, monitoring, testing, and commercial workflows. This role is the technical owner of the operator’s end-to-end experience — a bridge across Operations, Product, Test, and Software Engineering.

You will work directly with operators, turn real operational problems into software, and take solutions through the full lifecycle: observe → define → design → build → test → deploy → measure → improve. Success is tooling that is more reliable, integrated, intuitive, and measurable, with less operator workload, fatigue, and disruption.

Essential Duties

Own development, improvement, and integration of operational applications; diagnose production defects and workflow gaps.

Build operator-facing applications in React, TypeScript, JavaScript, and Vue; integrate with GraphQL, REST, gRPC, PostgreSQL/SQL, and backend services in Node.js and Python.

Work directly with operators to observe how work is done; simplify fragmented workflows and reduce cognitive load through strong UX and product judgment.

Translate operational needs into requirements, designs, and acceptance criteria; verify that software solves the intended operational problem, not only that it functions.

Establish automated testing, CI/CD quality gates, and telemetry for reliability, errors, usage, and workflow effectiveness.

Provide technical leadership for architecture, modernization, and consolidation of operational tooling; mentor engineers and drive work from concept through production with high autonomy.

Support after-hours validation or release as needed; occasional domestic travel.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field; 10+ years building production applications.

Strong proficiency in React, TypeScript, JavaScript, and modern frontend architecture; Vue or comparable frameworks.

Demonstrated passion for user-facing UX, usability, and workflow efficiency.

Experience with GraphQL, REST, gRPC, PostgreSQL/SQL, Git, CI/CD, and automated testing.

Ability to work directly with end users, turn ambiguous operational problems into working software, and operate with high ownership.

Strong communication, mentoring, and the ability to learn new technologies quickly.

Flexible schedule; willingness to support late meetings, night shifts, or urgent operational needs.

Preferred Qualifications

Node.js and/or Python; internal tools for frontline or mission-critical operations.

Fleet monitoring, dispatch, dashboards, HMI, telemetry, or ride-hail/transportation integrations.

Experience modernizing or consolidating fragmented systems; designing for situational awareness and operator fatigue.

Physical Demands & Working Environment

Frequently required to sit, talk, or hear; occasionally stand for long periods, walk, reach, and lift up to 50 pounds. Work may include outside weather, road conditions, pedestrian traffic, mechanical/computer parts, and occasional fumes. Noise is low to moderate. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Motional AD LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or another legally protected status. Motional AD LLC is a Drug-free workplace.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors including but not limited to specific skills, experience and expertise, role location, certifications, licenses, and business needs. The estimated compensation range listed in this job posting reflects base salary only. This role may include additional forms of compensation such as a bonus or company equity. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Candidates for certain positions are eligible to participate in Motional’s benefits program. Motional’s benefits include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401k with a company match, health saving accounts, life insurance, pet insurance, and more.

Salary Range

$125,000—$167,000 USD