2027 Summer Intern, PhD, Perception Systems Engineering: Pedestrian Detection Precision
About this role
Researchers who enjoy tackling complex safety challenges in autonomous driving will find a fitting home in this team. The Perception Systems Engineering group at Waymo bridges software and hardware to establish rigorous performance standards and validate vehicle safety.
This PhD internship focuses heavily on pedestrian detection precision, where you will analyze data logs, evaluate detection models, and build evaluation frameworks. The goal is to identify false-positive clusters and help perception teams improve release-over-release performance.
Waymo operates an autonomous driving technology company that powers its ride-hail service through the Waymo Driver. Interns here work alongside industry leaders on projects designed to build practical experience while contributing directly to the company's core mission.
What you will do
- Determine and author requirements and verification items for pedestrian detection models near the vehicle.
- Collect and analyze data from existing logs and structured tests to evaluate requirements and spot false-positive clusters.
- Run evaluations and triage results to track performance and measure release-over-release changes.
- Leverage custom-built evaluation frameworks to highlight areas with headroom and support perception team improvements.
What you need
- Currently pursue a PhD in a technical field such as Engineering, Physics, or Computer Science.
- Demonstrate strong software engineering fundamentals.
- Show familiarity with systems engineering principles, particularly the logical flow of requirements to tests.
Nice to have
- Experience handling large data sets and queries using SQL or Python and automating test flows.
- Understanding of autonomous vehicle stack fundamentals, including sensor-to-perception data pipelines.
- Prior knowledge, skills, or experience related to the autonomous vehicle industry or similar automation forms.
Benefits
- Eligible to participate in the company's generous benefits programs subject to eligibility requirements.
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the work policy for this internship?
This will be a hybrid onsite internship position based in San Francisco, California.
What is the pay rate for this role?
The expected hourly rate for this full-time position is $85 USD.
How does the application and hiring process work?
Resumes are accepted on a rolling basis until the role is filled. Candidates interested in multiple roles need to apply to each one individually, up to their top three choices.