Regulatory Counsel

About the role

Waymo seeks a Regulatory Counsel to own the strategic, end-to-end management of regulatory and legislative matters critical to the deployment and scaling of its autonomous driving technology. This role owns the interpretation and application of existing transportation and safety frameworks to Waymo's novel autonomous vehicle systems, and proactively shapes regulatory environments through targeted advocacy and stakeholder engagement. The hire will develop and execute compliance strategies that translate complex legal requirements into actionable implementation plans across engineering, product, and policy teams. You will own the analysis of evolving legal landscapes and translate ambiguous regulatory questions into concrete, testable compliance pathways for the Waymo Driver. This position drives the integration of regulatory considerations into the product lifecycle from initial concept through scaled commercialization. You will own communications with regulators and legislative bodies to advance responsible deployment of autonomous mobility solutions. The role requires synthesizing highly technical operational data into clear, legally sound positions for external stakeholders and internal decision-makers.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Interpret and adapt existing transportation, safety, and data privacy regulations to address the specific operational design domain of autonomous vehicles.
• Analyze proposed legislation and regulatory guidance to assess potential business and operational impacts for Waymo's autonomous driving programs.
• Draft formal comments, policy papers, and position statements for submission to federal agencies and legislative bodies.
• Build and maintain cross-functional regulatory compliance programs that align technology development with legal obligations.
• Represent Waymo in stakeholder meetings, coalitions, and industry working groups focused on autonomous vehicle policy.
• Collaborate with engineers and product managers to ensure regulatory constraints are considered in vehicle design and system architecture decisions.
• Monitor and evaluate emerging regulatory trends in multiple U.S. jurisdictions that could affect autonomous vehicle deployment.
• Provide training and guidance to internal teams on applicable regulations and compliance best practices related to autonomous technology.
• Lead or support the development of regulatory strategies that balance innovation with public safety and accountability.
• Advise on risk mitigation approaches for regulatory uncertainty and contribute to scenario planning for future rulemakings.
• Partner with external counsel and regulators to facilitate constructive dialogue on complex legal and technical issues.
• Document regulatory decisions and rationales to ensure consistency and support future policy development.

Requirements

• Hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and maintain an active bar membership.
• Possess a minimum of five years of professional legal experience in a firm, in-house, or government setting.
• Demonstrate prior experience with regulatory and legislative matters, including participation in rulemaking and drafting of proposed legislation.
• Show a proven ability to rapidly learn and adapt to new technologies and evolving regulatory landscapes.
• Exhibit exceptional written and spoken communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Display strong collaboration skills to effectively integrate input from cross-functional partners.
• Produce nuanced and pragmatic legal advice on novel or ambiguous issues impacting autonomous systems.
• Operate effectively as a self-starter who takes ownership of complex problems and delivers results.
• Apply detailed analytical skills to legal questions while maintaining awareness of broader business and policy implications.
• Demonstrate a genuine desire and ability to understand the technical aspects of autonomous driving technology.
• Commit to working within the specified travel parameters and schedule constraints associated with this role.
• Align with Waymo's standards for professionalism, integrity, and rigorous problem-solving in a regulated industry.
• Be prepared to engage with evolving legal frameworks that may not yet have clear precedents for autonomous vehicle operations.

Nice to have

• Prior experience advising on U.S. federal regulatory or legislative matters impacting transportation or emerging technology.
• Previous work on safety-critical technology sectors or issues affecting non-users of autonomous systems.

Practical notes

This role may involve up to 5 percent travel. Employment is subject to applicable eligibility requirements and background checks.