Machine Learning Engineering Manager, App SW

Wayve; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 336,400 - 381,600; Full time

Job summary

Wayve is seeking an exceptional leader for its new Application Engineering team in Detroit. You will play a crucial role in localizing and advancing our autonomous driving technology tailored for the US market.

Your responsibilities include building a high-performing team to deliver autonomy capabilities, drive the complete development cycle, and collaborate with OEM partners. The role requires a strong background in robotics, autonomy, and machine learning.

This full-time position offers a competitive salary ranging from $336,400 to $381,600, alongside an equity package.

Qualifications

• Strong background in robotics and autonomy, with experience in real-world systems.
• Ability to lead and grow high-performing engineering teams in distributed settings.
• Comfortable defining goals and delivering impactful work with minimal supervision.
• Broad technical fluency across software engineering, ML, controls, and systems integration.
• Excellent communication skills across cultures and time zones.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a self-sufficient AV development team in the US.
• Deliver autonomy capabilities tailored to road conditions and driving norms.
• Drive full-cycle development of AV features from design to deployment.
• Ensure team upholds high engineering standards and operates independently.
• Represent Wayve’s autonomy team in technical discussions with OEM partners.

Skills

Robotics and autonomy

Machine learning

Engineering team leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Job description

About Us

Founded in 2017, Wayve is the leading developer of Embodied AI technology. Our advanced AI software and foundation models enable vehicles to perceive, understand, and navigate any complex environment, enhancing the usability and safety of automated driving systems.

The Role

We’re looking for an exceptional leader to spearhead our new Application Engineering team, a self‑sufficient and high‑impact group focused on localising and advancing our autonomous driving technology for the US market. This is a unique opportunity to shape Wayve’s AV capabilities in the US from the ground up.

As a founding manager, you’ll lead a small but mighty team of engineers working across robotics, machine learning, and systems integration. You’ll drive development of autonomy features tailored for US road infrastructure, cultural driving behaviours, and regulatory landscape, ensuring our AV stack performs safely and effectively in this highly distinctive environment.

This role requires breadth: strong experience across AV systems, including robotics and autonomy, is essential. Deep expertise in machine learning is a major plus.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and lead a self‑sufficient AV development team in the US, hiring and mentoring top talent across Robotics and ML.
• Deliver autonomy capabilities tailored to road conditions and driving norms, in close collaboration with central Autonomy teams.
• Drive full‑cycle development: from identifying local autonomy needs to designing, implementing, testing, and deploying features into production.
• Ensure the team upholds Wayve’s high engineering standards, while operating with agility and independence.
• Work closely with OEM partners in the US—representing Wayve’s autonomy team in technical discussions, capturing product requirements, and shaping joint development plans.
• Establish close working relationships with our product and vehicle operations teams in the US.

Essential

• A strong background in robotics and autonomy, with experience building and deploying systems that operate in real‑world environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and grow high‑performing engineering teams, ideally in geographically distributed or independent settings.
• Comfortable with ambiguity: you can define goals, carve out roadmaps, and deliver high‑impact work with minimal supervision.
• Broad technical fluency: capable of reviewing and guiding work across software engineering, ML, controls, and systems integration.
• Excellent communication skills: clear conveyance of technical context and strategic vision across cultures and time zones.
• Strong product sense and stakeholder management skills: comfortable interfacing directly with OEM customers and representing engineering in external‑facing conversations.

Desirable

• Prior experience in autonomous vehicles or robotic systems operating at scale.
• Familiarity with US road environment, driving behaviour, or AV regulatory landscape.
• A strong foundation in machine learning and its application to real‑time decision‑making or perception systems.

This full‑time role is based in Sunnyvale, CA or Detroit (hybrid). The reasonably estimated salary for this role ranges from $336,400 to $381,600, plus a competitive equity package. Actual compensation is based on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience.

Wayve is committed to creating an inclusive interview experience. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to participate fully in our interview process, please let us know.

We understand that everyone has a unique set of skills and experiences and that not everyone will meet all of the requirements listed above. If you’re passionate about self‑driving cars and think you have what it takes to make a positive impact on the world, we encourage you to apply.

At Wayve we’re committed to creating a diverse, fair and respectful culture that is inclusive of everyone based on their unique skills and perspectives, and regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis as protected by applicable law.