Autonomy Systems Engineering Lead

Jobtailor; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Sunnyvale, CA seeks a senior leader to guide autonomy behavior systems engineering and validation for major capabilities. You will align requirements, simulation validity, and release evidence across cross-functional teams.

The role requires a strong systems engineering foundation, extensive AV validation experience, and proven leadership to build an inclusive, high-performing team. On-site in Sunnyvale, collaboration with Safety and Legal is essential.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., systems or robotics).
• 8+ years in systems engineering, autonomy, robotics, or related validation roles.
• Proven record evaluating AVs for fleets or launches and making high-stakes decisions.
• Deep understanding of architecture, requirements, traceability, and validation planning.
• Experience defining or leading large-scale simulation evaluations with trade-offs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of autonomy behavior systems engineers.
• Set systems engineering and validation direction for major capabilities and cross-cutting behaviors.
• Connect requirements, coverage, simulation validity, metrics, acceptance criteria, and release evidence.
• Guide scalable behavior evaluation and simulation systems across synthetic tests, road data, and counterfactual references.
• Oversee scenario sourcing, orchestration, data quality, and reproducibility.
• Partner with Engineering, Safety, Legal, Product, and Operations to align on decisions.
• Communicate recommendations for engineering, release, and launch decisions.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Autonomous Vehicles

Simulation Evaluation

Technical Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Education

Master’s in Systems Engineering

Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s in Aerospace Engineering

Master’s in Electrical Engineering

Master’s in Computer Science

Master’s in Robotics

Tools

Python

V&V Planning

Hazard Analysis

Job description

Jobtailor in Sunnyvale, CA seeks a senior leader to guide autonomy behavior systems engineering and validation for major capabilities. You will align requirements, simulation validity, and release evidence across cross-functional teams.

The role requires a strong systems engineering foundation, extensive AV validation experience, and proven leadership to build an inclusive, high-performing team. On-site in Sunnyvale, collaboration with Safety and Legal is essential.