Application Guide

How to Apply for Director, Autonomy Perception

at May Mobility

🏢 About May Mobility

May Mobility is a leader in autonomous electric vehicle technology, focusing on safe, sustainable, and eco-friendly transportation. Unlike many competitors, May Mobility operates a fleet of low-speed autonomous shuttles in real-world environments, providing a unique opportunity to see your work deployed in communities. The company's emphasis on safety and sustainability makes it an appealing choice for engineers passionate about making a tangible environmental impact.

About This Role

As Director of Autonomy Perception, you will define and execute the technical strategy for the perception team, directly shaping how May Mobility's vehicles understand and navigate the world. This role is critical to advancing the core autonomy stack, from sensor fusion to behavior prediction, and requires translating cutting-edge research into reliable, production-grade software. Your leadership will directly influence the safety and scalability of autonomous shuttle deployments across the US.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a stand-up with the perception team to review progress on object detection model improvements and sensor calibration issues. You'll then meet with the vehicle engineering team to discuss new sensor integration plans, followed by a deep-dive with a senior engineer on a tricky tracking edge case. Afternoon could involve reviewing performance metrics from recent shuttle deployments and prioritizing the next sprint's goals, before wrapping up with a hiring interview for a new team member.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who May Mobility Is Looking For

  • A seasoned technical leader with 10+ years in engineering, including 7+ in robotics or mission-critical systems, who has served as a principal or director guiding 10+ engineers.
  • Possesses deep expertise in multi-sensor fusion, object detection, tracking, and behavior prediction, with a track record of delivering production-quality perception systems.
  • Holds a PhD or master's in robotics, computer science, or a related field, and can bridge research and practical deployment challenges.
  • Experienced in cross-functional collaboration, particularly with vehicle engineering and product teams, and skilled at hiring and mentoring top talent.

📝 Tips for Applying to May Mobility

1

Highlight specific examples of leading perception teams in deploying autonomous systems at scale, emphasizing safety and real-world performance.

2

Quantify your impact: mention metrics like improved detection accuracy, reduced latency, or successful field tests that involved your perception stack.

3

Tailor your resume to emphasize experience with sensor suites (LiDAR, cameras, radar) and sensor fusion, as this is central to the role.

4

Showcase any experience with autonomous shuttles or low-speed vehicles, as May Mobility's domain differs from highway autonomy.

5

Include a brief statement in your cover letter about your alignment with May Mobility's mission of sustainable transportation.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your vision for advancing perception in low-speed autonomous shuttles and how it differs from robotaxis or highway systems.', 'Concrete examples of leading teams to solve complex perception challenges, especially in multi-sensor fusion and object tracking.', 'Your approach to balancing innovation with safety, and how you ensure perception systems are robust in diverse environments.', "Why you are drawn to May Mobility's focus on sustainability and community impact, rather than just technology for technology's sake."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study May Mobility's current deployment cities (e.g., Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Arlington) and understand the operational design domain (ODD) of their shuttles.
  • → Read recent white papers or blog posts from May Mobility about their autonomy stack, sensor choices, or safety philosophy.
  • → Familiarize yourself with their partnerships (e.g., with Via, local transit agencies) to understand how their technology integrates into mobility services.
  • → Look into their safety record and how they handle edge cases like construction zones or adverse weather, which are critical for perception.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you led a perception team through a major technical pivot or challenge. How did you ensure buy-in and execution?
2 How would you design a sensor suite for a shuttle operating in a dense urban environment? What are the key trade-offs?
3 Explain your approach to handling occlusions and uncertainty in multi-sensor fusion for object tracking and prediction.
4 How do you balance the need for rapid iteration with the imperative for safety in a production autonomy stack?
5 Tell me about a time you had to convince cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., product, vehicle engineering) to adopt a new perception approach.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus solely on highway autonomy or robotaxi experience without connecting it to low-speed shuttle applications; May Mobility's domain is distinct.
  • Avoid being vague about your team size and leadership style; be specific about how you have grown and mentored engineers.
  • Don't overlook the importance of cross-functional collaboration; frame your experience as a team player who works with hardware and product teams.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to May Mobility!

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