Staff Software Engineer, Quantitative Evaluations

About the role

Waymo is seeking a highly skilled Staff Software Engineer to join our Quantitative Evaluations team. This position is in enhancing our autonomous driving technology through rigorous data analysis and evaluation methodologies. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to develop and implement quantitative models that assess the performance of our self-driving systems. This role offers an to contribute to advancements in the field of autonomous vehicles while being part of a dynamic and innovative environment. You will be responsible for driving the design of complex evaluation frameworks that ensure the reliability and safety of our core technology. The role demands a high level of ownership over the entire software lifecycle from conception to deployment. You will partner with researchers and operators to turn abstract evaluation challenges into scalable software solutions. Your work will directly influence the strategic direction of our autonomous vehicle testing and improvement programs.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect and deploy quantitative evaluation frameworks that measure the operational performance of autonomous driving algorithms at scale.
• Engineer sophisticated metrics in collaboration with data scientists to precisely gauge the safety and efficiency metrics of self-driving vehicles.
• Mine massive datasets to uncover trends, anomalies, and actionable insights regarding the performance of our autonomous systems.
• Build and sustain robust software tools that enable the evaluation and visualization of intricate quantitative data related to vehicle performance.
• Execute controlled experiments and simulations to verify the effectiveness of new algorithms and technologies within realistic scenarios.
• Liaise with product managers and key stakeholders to translate business requirements into precise technical specifications and evaluation criteria.
• Lead code reviews and advocate for continuous improvement across our software development processes and best practices.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide expert guidance on best practices in quantitative analysis, software engineering, and data integrity.
• Define and maintain the standards for data collection, processing, and analysis to ensure consistency across all evaluation efforts.
• Optimize data pipelines to handle the high volume and velocity of sensor and operational data generated by our fleet.
• Evaluate the statistical significance of test results to support data-driven decision making in product development.
• Document methodologies and frameworks comprehensively to ensure reproducibility and knowledge transfer across the organization.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field; a Master's or Phitt is preferred.
• Bring a minimum of 5 years of experience in software engineering, with a strong focus on quantitative analysis and evaluation.
• Demonstrate proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or Java, with a solid understanding of software development principles.
• Show experience with data analysis tools and frameworks, such as Pandas, NumPy, or similar libraries.
• Exhibit familiarity with machine learning concepts and algorithms, particularly in the context of autonomous systems.
• Prove strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex datasets and derive actionable insights.
• Maintain excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Possess the ability to work independently and as part of a distributed team in a fast-paced environment.
• Show a commitment to writing clean, maintainable, and well-tested code.
• Demonstrate an understanding of software design patterns and system architecture principles.

Nice to have

• Possess experience in the automotive or robotics industry, particularly in roles related to autonomous systems.
• Have knowledge of simulation tools and environments used for testing autonomous vehicles.
• Show familiarity with cloud computing platforms, such as AWS or Google Cloud, for data storage and processing.
• Have an understanding of safety standards and regulations related to autonomous vehicles.
• Bring experience with version control systems, such as Git, and agile development methodologies.

Practical notes

• This position is based in one of our offices located in Mountain View, San Francisco, or New York. Candidates should be open to relocation if necessary.
• The salary for this role is competitive and commensurate with experience. Additional benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is available for qualified applicants.
• Interested individuals can apply through the Waymo careers page at the provided URL.