Software Engineer, Backend - DoorDash Air
About The Position
DoorDash Labs is an independent team within DoorDash focused on exploring robotics and automation to transform last-mile logistics. The Air team specifically is dedicated to realizing the vision of fast, efficient, and delightful last-mile delivery through the air, leveraging advanced robotics, aviation, and operational innovation. This role involves designing and implementing backend services for autonomous drone delivery, integrating with core DoorDash data for intelligent path planning, real-time fleet management, and dynamic airspace awareness. The engineer will develop and maintain scalable, fault-tolerant systems for drone fleet management, implement simulations and testing frameworks for path planning algorithms, and improve the performance, reliability, scalability, and security of drone backend systems, with a focus on safe and compliant operations. The role also includes introducing tools and best practices to accelerate development and ensure adherence to aviation regulations.
Requirements
- B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- 6+ years of industry experience as a software engineer, with a focus on backend systems, robotics, or autonomous systems.
- Strong experience in developing and implementing algorithms for path planning.
- Experience with simulations and testing frameworks for robotics or autonomous systems.
- Experience with either Kotlin, or C++.
- Ability to improve efficiency, scalability, and stability of distributed systems, especially in a real-time operational context.
- Experience with service-oriented architecture, writing REST APIs, unit testing, and architectural design.
- Understanding of networking and communication protocols relevant to robotics and IoT (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP, MQTT).
- Experience with SQL or NoSQL databases.
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with Kotlin
- gRPC, Kafka, Redis, Postgres, or Cassandra
- AWS, Kubernetes, Docker
- Experience with ROS (Robot Operating System) or other robotics middleware
- Familiarity with geospatial data and mapping technologies (GIS)
- Familiarity with aviation regulations and safety standards (e.g., FAA Part 107)
Responsibilities
- Design and implement backend services for autonomous drone delivery that integrates with core DoorDash data, focusing on intelligent path planning, real-time fleet management, and dynamic airspace awareness.
- Develop and maintain robust, scalable, and fault-tolerant systems to manage a fleet of delivery drones, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
- Implement simulations and testing frameworks to validate the performance and reliability of path planning algorithms.
- Improve performance, reliability, scalability, and security for our drone backend systems, with a particular emphasis on ensuring safe and compliant drone operations.
- Introduce tools and best practices to accelerate our drone development process and ensure adherence to aviation regulations.
Benefits
- 401(k) plan with employer matching
- 16 weeks of paid parental leave
- Wellness benefits
- Commuter benefits match
- Paid time off
- Paid sick leave
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- 11 paid holidays
- Disability and basic life insurance
- Family-forming assistance
- Mental health program
- Opportunities for equity grants
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
