Director of Localization

Forterra • Clarksburg, MD

9d

About The Position

Forterra is seeking a Director of Localization to lead the design, development, and deployment of robust localization systems for autonomous vehicles operating in complex, real-world environments. This role will own the technical direction and execution of GNSS/INS-based localization and state estimation, while building and leading a high-performing engineering team. The ideal candidate combines deep hands-on expertise in state estimation and sensor fusion with proven experience leading engineers, setting technical vision, and delivering production-ready autonomy software.

Requirements

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Engineering or a related field
• 8+ years of relevant experience in state estimation, localization, or navigation systems
• 3+ years of experience leading or mentoring engineers (formal or informal)
• Deep expertise in Kalman filtering (EKF, UKF, etc.) and real-time state estimation techniques (led product development)
• Strong background in non-linear optimization (e.g., gradient descent, Levenberg-Marquardt)
• Strong foundation in linear algebra and computational mathematics
• Hands-on experience with GNSS/IMU/INS systems, sensor fusion, calibration, and error modeling
• Proficiency in C++ (some Python, Matlab)
• Proven ability to design and deliver complex, production-quality software systems

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing localization and navigation systems for autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles
• Experience across multiple vehicle types (e.g., large trucks, off-road vehicles, skid steers) (aerospace is also OK, but prefer ground vehicles)
• Familiarity with industry-standard navigation software, GNSS hardware, and tooling
• Experience scaling algorithms from research to real-world deployment
• Strong communication skills and comfort working across hardware and software teams

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Strategy
• Own the technical vision and roadmap for localization and state estimation across Forterra’s autonomous systems
• Architect and guide the development of GNSS/INS-based localization systems using advanced state estimation and sensor fusion techniques
• Drive algorithmic choices for Kalman filtering, non-linear optimization, sensor calibration, and error modeling
• Ensure localization solutions are robust, scalable, and performant across diverse vehicle platforms and operating environments
• Team Leadership & Execution
• Build, mentor, and lead a team of state estimation and localization engineers
• Provide technical guidance, code and design reviews, and career development for team members
• Set clear goals, priorities, and success metrics for the localization team
• Balance hands-on technical contribution with delegation and coaching
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner closely with autonomy, perception, hardware, and vehicle integration teams to define system requirements and interfaces
• Translate product and vehicle requirements into executable technical plans
• Collaborate with testing and operations teams to validate localization performance in simulation, data playback, and on-vehicle testing
• Validation & Deployment
• Oversee testing and evaluation of localization software in simulation, log replay, and real-world vehicle deployments
• Support on-site vehicle testing as needed to debug and improve system performance
• Ensure localization systems meet reliability, safety, and performance targets for production use

Benefits

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree