Internship, Autonomy - Path Planning

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.

Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in early 2026.

Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.

Summary:

The Autonomy team at Pivotal develops advanced autonomy capabilities for ouraircraft, enabling safe, precise, and reliable mission execution from takeoff to landing. We are seeking an Autonomy Intern – Path Planning to support the development of intelligent navigation and motion-planning algorithms for autonomous robotic systems to develop path planningalgoirithmsfor our Helix platform.

In this role, you will collaborate with autonomy and GNC engineers to design, implement, and evaluate planning algorithms thatoperateeffectively in dynamic, real-world environments. This internship is well-suited for students or early‑career engineers interested in robotics, autonomy, and deploying planning systems on real platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design and implementpath planning and trajectory generation algorithmsfor autonomous systems.
• Develop and evaluate motion planning solutions forour Helixplatforminsimulation and real-world environments.
• Integrate planning modules within robotics software frameworks such as ROS-based autonomy stacks.
• Work withperceptionand control modules to enableend-to-end autonomous navigation.
• Test andvalidateplanning algorithms throughsimulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and flight experiments.
• Analyze performance metrics and improve robustness, safety, and computational efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineers to deploy autonomy features ontoour helix platform.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing aBS, MS, or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong programming skills inC++ and/or Python, MATLAB
• Knowledge ofrobot motion planning concepts(e.g., graph search, sampling-based planning, and trajectoryoptimization).
• Familiarity withrobotics software frameworkssuch as ROS.
• Understandingrobot kinematics, dynamics, and control basics.
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience withUAV platformsor aerial robotics.
• Familiarity with thePX4 autopilot software stack.
• Hands-on experience integrating autonomy software withreal hardware systems.
• Experience withplanning algorithmssuch as:
• A*,D*,RRT / RRT*
• Experience withsimulation environments(e.g., Gazebo,AirSim).
• Familiarity withstate estimation, mapping, orperceptionsystems.
• Experience runningfield tests or flight experiments.

Attributes aligned with Core Values

• Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations,identifyingand mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.
• Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.
• Activelyseeksand values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication—committing toshared decisions for the greater good.
• Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.
• Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
• Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancinghigh expectationswith a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.

Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.

Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.