Contract Student Worker - Data Scientist

AI Chopping Block; Foster City, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Zoox seeks a data-science oriented student to forecast fleet demand, staffing, charging, and infrastructure needs for an autonomous ridehailing service. You will build scenario models, convert manual planning into reproducible analytic workflows, and evaluate forecast accuracy.

The role provides hands-on experience with real projects alongside engineers and researchers. The position is on-site in Foster City, CA, for at least three months with a minimum of 20 hours per week, in Zoox's contract

Qualifications

• Strong communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience with forecasting, statistical modeling, optimization, simulation, or machine learning through coursework, research, internships, or projects.
• Prototype AI-powered decision-support tools that explain forecast drivers and planning scenarios.

Responsibilities

• Develop forecasting models for fleet availability, supply hours, staffing, operational workload, charging demand, and infrastructure needs.
• Convert planning processes into reproducible, scalable analytic workflows.
• Evaluate model performance through backtesting, forecast-versus-actual reporting, and accuracy measures.

Job description

About Zoox

Zoox is an autonomous ridehailing company building the world's first purpose-built robotaxi — fully electric, bidirectional, with no steering wheel or driver's seat. Backed by Amazon and founded to make transportation safer, cleaner, and more accessible, Zoox designs its vehicles entirely around the rider. We're currently operating in Las Vegas and San Francisco, with Austin and Miami on the horizon, and testing underway across seven U.S. markets.

About Our Contract Student Worker Program

Zoox's contract student worker program puts you at the center of one of the most ambitious challenges in transportation. You'll contribute to real projects, work alongside engineers and researchers pushing the boundaries of autonomous technology, and gain experience that goes well beyond the classroom. We're looking for students who bring strong academic foundations, curiosity that doesn't stop at coursework, and a drive to be part of something that matters.

Role Overview

As a Data Scientist focused on forecasting, you will help Fleet Operations anticipate the resources required to scale an autonomous vehicle service across markets. You will develop forecasting and scenario-planning capabilities across fleet availability, supply, staffing, operational demand, charging, and infrastructure. Your work will inform high-impact planning decisions and create a shared, data-driven view of future operational needs.

Responsibilities

• Develop forecasting models for fleet availability, supply hours, staffing, operational workload, charging demand, and infrastructure needs
• Convert spreadsheet-based planning processes into reproducible, scalable, and well-documented analytical workflows
• Evaluate model performance through backtesting, forecast-versus-actual reporting, and clearly defined accuracy measures

Required Qualifications

• Build scenario models that help leaders understand the staffing, cost, and infrastructure implications of operational changes and market growth
• Combine statistical methods, machine learning, and AI-enabled tools to improve forecasts and make model outputs easier to interpret
• Prototype AI-powered decision-support tools that explain forecast drivers, identify emerging risks, and allow leaders to explore planning scenarios

Bonus Qualifications

• Partner with Workforce Management, Finance, Strategy, Data Science, and operational leaders to align assumptions and establish a shared operating forecast
• Currently pursuing a master’s degree in data science, statistics, computer science, operations research, industrial engineering, economics, applied mathematics, or another quantitative field
• Experience with forecasting, statistical modeling, optimization, simulation, or machine learning through coursework, research, internships, or professional projects
• Communicate model outputs
• An AI-native technical skill set, with demonstrated experience using LLMs, coding copilots, APIs, or agent frameworks to develop analytical products or automate technical workflows
• Strong understanding of model evaluation, uncertainty, explainability, and human oversight.

Program Requirements

• Ability to select the right analytical approach for the problem rather than defaulting to the most complex model.
• Currently enrolled in a B.S. or M.S. program in a relevant discipline.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Available to commit to a minimum three-month assignment.
• Able to commit a minimum of 20 hours per week.
• Able to work on-site in Foster City CA.
• Must adhere with Zoox confidentiality requirements, including refraining from using or sharing proprietary company information outside of Zoox, such as in academic research, theses, publications, or presentations.