Systems Engineer, Behavioral Requirements

About the position

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver—The World's Most Experienced Driver™—to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo One, a fully autonomous ride-hailing service, and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over one million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving tens of millions of miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 13+ U.S. states. Waymo's Systems Engineering team works together to blend software and hardware systems in groundbreaking new ways. We set the high performance standards that ensure our vehicles run smoothly and keep passengers safe, then design and perform the tests that validate that performance. We're looking for talented teammates who'll help us maintain strong teamwork and are passionate about driving results. In this hybrid role, you will report to a Systems Engineering Manager.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to craft requirements that align with safety, regulatory, and product needs
• Gather and analyze critical data to define metrics, qualify systems for release, and influence system design decisions based on evidence-based insights
• Create and maintain clear, precise documentation to support system designs, decisions, and processes while ensuring alignment across teams
• Drive strategic alignment and lead discussions around system design trade-offs, ensuring buy-in from stakeholders and fostering a collaborative team culture

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant engineering or related field (e.g., Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Controls, Aerospace, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to tackle technical challenges, analyze cross-disciplinary problems, and propose innovative, maintainable solutions
• Experience with data collection, statistical analysis, and developing metrics to support system evaluation or improvement
• Strong skills in creating clear and concise technical documentation and effectively presenting complex ideas to diverse audiences
• Proven ability to contribute to or lead cross-functional initiatives, driving alignment and ensuring stakeholder engagement throughout the development process
• Proficiency with tools like Python, MATLAB, or similar for data analysis

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with large-scale system architecture, including integrating hardware and software systems in a regulated or safety-critical environment
• Familiarity with leveraging machine learning models for system optimization or predictive analytics
• Experience leading cross-team initiatives, including coordinating with external vendors or partners to deliver high-impact solutions
• Proven track record of defining and implementing process improvements that enhance productivity, test coverage, or system reliability
• Knowledge of automotive, robotics, or related industries, particularly in areas like safety systems, motion planning, or perception systems

Benefits

• Discretionary annual bonus program
• Equity incentive plan
• Generous Company benefits program