Manager, System Safety (Service and Operations Verification and Validation)

Zoox; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 199,000 - 273,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Stock options

Long-term care insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

A pioneering autonomous vehicle company in California is seeking an experienced leader for their verification and validation team. The role involves defining strategies for safe performance of remote assistance systems and managing a team focused on safety-critical software. Candidates should have a strong background in systems engineering, extensive experience in leadership, and advanced degrees in relevant fields. The position offers a competitive salary range and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in systems engineering or safety-critical product development.
• 4+ years of direct people management experience.
• Proven experience leading the verification and validation of complex systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the verification and validation strategy for remote assistance system.
• Oversee large-scale validation campaigns for the autonomous driving system.
• Build and mentor a high-performing team of systems safety engineers.

Skills

Systems engineering

Verification and validation

Team leadership

Human factors studies

Python

SQL

Education

Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in engineering or science

Job description

Zoox is on an ambitious journey to develop a full-stack autonomous mobility solution for cities and safely deploy such a robotaxi solution. The System Design and Mission Assurance (SDMA) team plays a foundational role in the company’s success, responsible for constructing the safety case and fail-operational design for our autonomous driving robots before public road deployment. You will be part of an organization with strong leadership and a transparent, respectful culture that enables you to reach your full potential.

In This Role, You Will

• Define and lead the verification and validation strategy for our remote assistance system and cloud based product software, ensuring robust and safe, and reliable performance
• Lead a team responsible for the end-to-end verification and validation of safety-critical product software
• Lead root-cause analysis for complex service issues and drive strategic improvements to our Verification and Validation (VnV) coverage
• Develop and oversee the execution of validation strategies for complex and critical safety scenarios encountered during autonomous operation
• Own the execution and success of large-scale validation campaigns to demonstrate the safety and performance of the autonomous driving system against rigorous, top-level safety requirements
• Influence the direction of our testing efforts in cross-organizational technical and architectural reviews
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of systems safety engineers, fostering their technical and professional growth

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in an engineering or science discipline
• At least 10 years of experience in systems engineering, verification and validation, or safety-critical product development
• At least 4 years of direct people management experience, leading and developing engineering teams
• Proven experience leading the verification and validation of complex, software-intensive systems (e.g., robotics, aerospace, automotive)
• Proven track record of designing and executing human factors studies for complex, safety-critical human-machine interfaces

Bonus Qualifications

• Direct experience with the public road deployment and safety case development for Level 4/5 autonomous vehicles
• Experience with simulation-based testing methodologies and large-scale safety data analysis
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment and lead teams through complex technical challenges
• Familiarity with VnV development plan against requirements derived from STPA, FMEA, etc
• Expertise in the application of safety standards such as ISO 26262 and SOTIF (ISO 21448) in a product development environment
• Deep proficiency in Python and SQL for test scripting, data analysis, and automation

Salary

$199,000 - $273,000 a year

Base Salary Range

There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign‑on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate’s relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.

Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.

About Zoox

Zoox is developing the first ground‑up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility‑as‑a‑service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast‑moving and highly execution‑oriented team.

Accommodations

If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to [e-mail] or your assigned recruiter.

A Final Note

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.