# Neha Agarwal > Staff Software Engineer, Motion Planning Evaluation, Autonomy at Rivian Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/nehaagarwal Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering with expertise in Autonomous Driving Controls, Trajectory Optimization and Motion planning. I have prior Automotive Industry experience as an Embedded Control Software Engineer. Strong background in developing embedded firmware and hardware solutions for automotive systems(ADAS and Active Safety). Experience in HIL testing of various features of automobiles. Software Skills: Matlab, Simulink, Python, Embedded C, C++, Java, LabView, dSPACE ## Work Experience ### Staff Software Engineer @ Rivian Jan 2026 – Present | Palo Alto, CA ### Senior Software Engineer, Self-driving @ Rivian Jan 2021 – Jan 2026 | San Francisco Bay Area Planning & Controls Metrics and Evaluations - Analyze large datasets to drive insights for Rivian's Autonomy stack, - Design and implement key metrics for evaluating Planning & Control performance, and - Collaborate cross-functionally to align data strategies with product goals. ### Business Development Manager @ VIRES Simulationstechnologie GmbH Jan 2020 – Jan 2021 | San Francisco Bay Area Simulation Software for Autonomous Driving ### Software Engineer, Autonomous Driving @ SERES EV Jan 2019 – Jan 2020 | Santa Clara, California • Developing algorithms for Motion Planning & Controls edge cases in ROS environment • Developing 3D Localization & Mapping (NDT) algorithm for vehicle state accuracy using lidar scans in ROS environment • Developing software-in-the-loop system to integrate perception, mapping, localization, planning and control algorithm in the 3D virtual environment using C++ • Developing vehicle dynamics model and sensor behavior model under complex scenarios ### Graduate Student - Robotics Systems Laboratory @ University of Michigan College of Engineering Jan 2018 – Jan 2018 | Ann Arbor, Michigan Robotics Arm Project • Programmed Robot Arm to perform 5 tasks with blocks- Pick n’ place, Pick n’ stack etc. Tasks include forward kinematics, inverse kinematics, camera calibration, object detection and path planning Balancebot Project • Implemented a gyrodometric-based dead-reckoning navigation system to control a Balancebot using sensor feedback so it can balance upright even when disturbed or when traversing a commanded path • Used Odometry, integrated IMU data and performed dynamic control of DC motors to balance a wheeled inverted pendulum ### Graduate Student @ University of Michigan College of Engineering Jan 2017 – Jan 2018 | Ann Arbor, Michigan Trajectory Optimization and Obstacle Avoidance, Autonomous Race Cars • Applied the Direct Collocation based approach to solve a Non-Linear Program to race a 6-dimensional race-car model around Texas Austin’s F1 track. Applied a Nearest Neighbor based search algorithm to find an optimal trajectory that dodged all obstacles randomly placed on the track and successfully completed the track • Implemented Optimization Algorithms – fmincon and quadprog using MATLAB Quarter Car Vehicle Suspension, Linear Feedback Control • Designed and developed a controller to minimize rider discomfort while penalizing tire deflection. Used Linear Quadratic Regulator design to achieve this goal and checked for disturbance attenuation. • Studied about the various design trade-offs and Kalman filter design to solve white Gaussian noise problem in controllers. • Implemented using Model Predictive Control and did comparative study between LQR and MPC Adaptive Cruise Control and Automatic Steering, Embedded Control Systems • Developed and implemented Automatic Cruise Control system and Automatic steering interface using Simulink. Used haptic wheel as steering for the simulated vehicle. ### Graduate Student Instructor @ University of Michigan Jan 2018 – Jan 2018 | Greater Detroit Area Lab Instructor for Embedded Control System (EECS 461) - Help students debug errors (Hardware and Software) - Help students in problem solving ### Software Intern @ Aptiv Jan 2018 – Jan 2018 | Troy, Michigan • Worked on Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2X) software and HMI development. Developed an Android App for testing V2X software using MQTT protocol, DSRC • Developed a connected gateway between V2X software, other features and HMI. Deployed this on a vehicle and tested it around Troy, Michigan. This reduced the risk of cybercrime and helped in remote monitoring, can be further used in remote fleet management - V2X (Vehicle to vehicle and Vehicle to infrastructure) - MQTT Implementation - Sensor Fusion - Vehicle Testing - Embedded Linux ### Embedded Control Software Engineer @ Tata Technologies Jan 2015 – Jan 2017 | Pune, India Target Projects: Multi-converter power distribution system (MCPDS) for premium Automotive OEM • Developed Model based Software algorithm using Simulink. Performed integration testing for the developed prototype using software tools such as CANalyzer. • Developed Graphical User Interface using LabView to calibrate and test the system Universal Diagnostics and Calibration Tool • Universal Diagnostic and Calibration Tool, is a generic tool which can be used to diagnose and calibrate Controller boards for various domains like automotive, industrial, aerospace as per the client requirements. It also provides control and monitoring feature which is helpful in Software development of any controller board. • Developed Graphical User Interface using LabVIEW. Programmed CAN communication and PWM generation modules using Simulink. Designed a robot for testing the tool. Hardware-in-Loop Simulation using dSPACE • Simulated steering and speed control features of a vehicle. Developed Graphical User Interface using dSPACE Control desk. Performed real time interface with controller boards and developed plant model in Simulink ### Summer Intern @ ADITYA BIRLA NUVO LTD. (JAYA SHREE TEXTILES) Jan 2014 – Jan 2014 | Kolkata Area, India - Worked in R&D department to propose efficient industry automation system that allows user to efficiently control industry appliances/machines over the internet - Worked on developing online Graphical User Interface for easy industry automation using NI LabVIEW ### Aviation Electronic Technician @ Team Vimaanas Jan 2013 – Jan 2014 | Vellore Area, India - Participated as the electronics head in SAE Aero Design West 2013 held in Van Nuys, California and stood 3rd internationally, being the first Indian team in the history of the competition to crack the top three positions. The assignment was to design a system containing a portable (modular based) UAV and launching system within specified packaging requirements. There were many restrictions on the aircraft weight, propulsion requirement, payload packaging and distribution. - Provided feasibility of mission by equipping the aircraft with necessary electronic components with adequate specifications. Optimized the power system by delivering the required characteristics such as power, thrust, voltage, torque etc but with as much stringency in weight allocation as possible thereby the weight of the plane came down to 160g with a thrust of 850gms. ## Education ### Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering | Control Systems Major University of Michigan - Rackham Graduate School ### Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Electronics and Communications Engineering Vellore Institute of Technology ### 12th Grade Birla High School Girls' Section ### Master of Science - MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Michigan ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nagarwa --- Source: https://flows.cv/nehaagarwal JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/nehaagarwal/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-12