Senior Motion Systems Engineer, Actuators
Mountain View, California, United States Full-Time Hardware Engineering 4435
Senior Motion Systems Engineer, Actuators
- 4435
- On Site
- Mountain View, California
- Hardware Engineering
- Full-Time
Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's 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’s fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.
Hardware Engineering is an innovative and collaborative group of electrical, mechanical, reliability, software and vehicle engineers. We design, build, and perfect the products which are the eyes and ears of Waymo's autonomous driving technology, and integrate those products into vehicle platforms. We're seeking curious and talented teammates to keep us moving in the right direction.
This role follows a hybrid work schedule and you will report to a Vehicle Systems Architecture Lead.
You will:
- Translate product and safety goals into tangible technical requirements. You will drive architectural trade-off discussions regarding performance, fault tolerance, and reliability
- Serve as the primary technical interface between internal software teams and external hardware suppliers (OEMs/Tier 1s) to resolve integration gaps and deviations early in the design phase
- Review verification strategies for qualifying systems for driverless operation. You will collaborate with test engineers, close gaps in coverage, and drive final system sign-off decisions
- Lead investigations into field issues and testing anomalies. You will use fleet data and simulation to assess risk and coordinate root-cause resolution for release-blocking challenges
- Develop and maintain Python scripts/tools to automate the analysis of large-scale fleet data, validating actuator performance against specifications and moving verification earlier in the release cycle
You have:
- 5+ years of experience integrating complex, safety-critical systems in the Automotive, Aerospace, or Robotics industries (or 3+ years with an Advanced Degree/PhD)
- Demonstrated technical ownership of electromechanical motion control systems (e.g., Steer-by-Wire, Electronic Braking, Flight Controls)
- Strong proficiency in Python for data analysis, scripting, or tool development (must be able to write scripts to process logs/data). Ability to read and understand C++
- Experience with requirements management traceability (e.g., DOORS, Jama) and interface control documents (ICDs)
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field
We prefer:
- Professional working or Native proficiency in Korean is highly preferred to facilitate complex technical negotiations and design reviews with specific OEM partners
- Experience developing L4 autonomous vehicle platforms or similar systems where fail-operational behavior and redundancy are requirements
- Knowledge of ISO 26262 (Functional Safety) or SOTIF (ISO 21448), specifically in interpreting safety concepts and verifying ASIL targets
- Proven experience managing technical interfaces with Tier 1 suppliers, including authoring Statements of Work (SOW) and leading technical design reviews
- Proficiency with automotive communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet, Vector CANoe/CANalyzer)
Travel requirements:
- Up to 20% travel (domestic and international) to support requirement implementation with partners or verification at test sites
The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process.
Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo’s discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.
We appreciate your interest in Waymo. Waymo is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a culture of belonging and maintaining a supportive workplace for all employees. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, and employment decisions are based on a candidate’s qualifications, experience, and alignment with job requirements and business needs. Waymo does not discriminate against, and prohibits harassment of, any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, military status, family status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable law. Waymo will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. Waymo is committed to making sure our hiring process is accessible for all candidates. If you need assistance applying for a role or participating in the interview process due to a disability, please let the recruiting team know or email waymo-candidatesupport@google.com. (This email address is intended to be used only for requesting accommodations as part of the application process. Other inquiries will not receive a response.)
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Some of our Benefits
Health and wellness
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. At Waymo, you can enjoy top-notch medical, dental and vision insurance, mental wellness support, gym membership, and special wellness programs.
Financial wellness
Your financial peace of mind is important to us. At Waymo, we offer competitive compensation, bonus opportunities, equity, employees provident fund, and lots of other perks and employee discounts.
Flexibility and time off
Take the time you need to relax and recharge. Enjoy the flexibility to work from another location for four weeks per year. We support an on-site or hybrid work model and offer remote working opportunities, paid time off, bereavement, sick, and parental leave.
Supporting families
When it comes to growing your family or caring for your loved ones, you have our full support. Enhanced leave options include 26 weeks of paid leave for birthing parents and 18 weeks of paid leave for non-birthing parents.
Community and personal development
At Waymo, you'll find a range of opportunities to grow, connect, and give back. We offer education reimbursement, personal and professional development, mentorship, and other ways to connect through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), other internal groups, and even time off to volunteer.
Cool perks
Access to Google offices, cafes, wellness centers, massages, and so much more. To support your wellbeing at home, you can enjoy at-home fitness and cooking classes, and more.
Health and wellness
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. At Waymo, you can enjoy top-notch medical, dental and vision insurance, mental wellness support, gym membership, and special wellness programs.
Financial wellness
Your financial peace of mind is important to us. At Waymo, we offer competitive compensation, bonus opportunities, equity, employees provident fund, and lots of other perks and employee discounts.
Flexibility and time off
Take the time you need to relax and recharge. Enjoy the flexibility to work from another location for four weeks per year. We support an on-site or hybrid work model and offer remote working opportunities, paid time off, bereavement, sick, and parental leave.
Supporting families
When it comes to growing your family or caring for your loved ones, you have our full support. Enhanced leave options include 26 weeks of paid leave for birthing parents and 18 weeks of paid leave for non-birthing parents.
Community and personal development
At Waymo, you'll find a range of opportunities to grow, connect, and give back. We offer education reimbursement, personal and professional development, mentorship, and other ways to connect through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), other internal groups, and even time off to volunteer.
Cool perks
Access to Google offices, cafes, wellness centers, massages, and so much more. To support your wellbeing at home, you can enjoy at-home fitness and cooking classes, and more.
