Technical Lead Manager, Collision Avoidance Testing
About this role
Leading and managing the Behavior Test Engineering’s Collision Avoidance Testing Team involves hiring, setting OKRs, guiding day-to-day work, and developing direct reports. Team members collaborate with simulation and tooling units to design and establish the technical direction and architectural guidelines for Waymo's long-tail behavioral testing suite, ensuring high scalability, maintainability, and extensibility.
Waymo operates as an autonomous driving technology company with a mission to develop the Waymo Driver. The Systems Engineering organization blends software and hardware to establish rigorous performance standards that ensure vehicle safety and smooth operation. Professionals joining this group will interface directly with key stakeholders across Planner, Perception, Systems Engineering, and Safety Engineering executives to align on collision avoidance frameworks and desired autonomous vehicle behavior.
Candidates suited for this position bring a blend of deep technical background and extensive people management experience in safety-critical domains. Successful individuals thrive in collaborative environments where they can guide complex testing programs and drive impactful results across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
What you will do
- Lead and manage the Behavior Test Engineering’s Collision Avoidance Testing Team by handling hiring, setting objectives and key results, guiding work, and developing the careers of direct reports.
- Interface with key stakeholders from Planner, Perception, Systems Engineering, and Safety Engineering executives regarding the collision avoidance testing framework and desired autonomous vehicle behavior.
- Collaborate with Waymo’s simulation team to integrate the latest simulation technology into collision avoidance testing workflows.
- Direct technical efforts alongside simulation and tooling teams to establish architectural guidelines and technical direction for the long-tail behavioral testing suite.
- Ensure the behavioral testing suite remains scalable, maintainable, and extensible for future autonomous driving applications.
What you need
- Hold a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study.
- Possess strong leadership and communication skills with experience navigating critical engineering spaces.
- Demonstrate the ability to lead a technical engineering team and deliver measurable impact while managing personnel effectively.
- Bring at least 4 years of management experience.
- Accumulate a minimum of 10 years of industry experience in a related field.
- Demonstrate the ability to build testing programs that scale successfully.
- Show basic fluency in Python or C++ programming languages.
Nice to have
- MS or PhD Degree in Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science or a similar discipline
- Strong engineering fundamentals in Physics (mechanics) and/or Computer Science
- Prior AV Experience
- Experience with safety critical systems
- A passion for robotics or autonomous vehicles
Benefits
- Discretionary annual bonus program
- Equity incentive plan
- Generous Company benefits program
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the expected salary range for this position?
The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is $230,000 to $284,000 USD. Actual starting pay is based on job-related factors including work location, experience, relevant training, education, and skill level.
What perks and benefits are offered to employees?
Waymo employees are eligible to participate in Waymo’s discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.
What programming languages are required for the role?
Candidates need to have basic fluency in Python or C++. Additional technical fundamentals in Physics or Computer Science are also preferred.
What experience is required to apply?
Applicants must have 10+ years of industry experience in a related field along with 4+ years of management experience. A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is also required.