Senior Staff Tech Lead (Machine Learning Engineer, Perception)

Waymo; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Bonus and equity program

401(k) retirement plans

Hybrid/remote work options

On-site meals and snacks

Job summary

Waymo is seeking a senior ML leader for its Perception team in San Francisco. You will set long-term roadmaps for multi-modal perception and drive scalable representations across sensor modalities, collaborating with Planner, hardware, and infrastructure teams.

You will mentor engineers, push rapid prototyping and benchmarking, and own production-grade models with a focus on 3D perception and autonomous driving systems. Hybrid work options apply in this role.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of industry experience in Machine Learning, AI or Computer Vision.
• BS or MS in Computer Science, Robotics, Machine Learning, or equivalent practical experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading large technical initiatives as a Tech Lead across cross-functional teams.
• Proven track record of architecting and shipping large-scale, production-grade machine learning models.
• Expert proficiency in Python, C++, and modern ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow).
• PhD with a publication record at top-tier venues.
• Strong industrial experience multi-modal foundation models, 3D perception, or end-to-end autonomous driving systems.
• Experience designing modular, sensor-agnostic perception frameworks that scale across diverse configurations.

Responsibilities

• Set the long-term technical roadmap for next-generation multi-modal perception architectures.
• Architect unified, scalable representations combining diverse sensor modalities.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives across Perception and Planner and partner with hardware and infrastructure teams.
• Mentor ML engineers and foster an engineering culture of rapid prototyping and rigorous benchmarking.

Skills

Python

C++

PyTorch

Machine Learning

Computer Vision

Leadership

Education

BS in CS/Robotics/ML

MS in CS/Robotics/ML

PhD

Tools

PyTorch

JAX

TensorFlow

Job description

• The Perception team builds the system which learns the spatial-temporal representation and their semantic meanings of the surrounding environment of the self-driving car, i.e., the system that “perceives” the world around the car
• We work jointly with downstream teams on the optimization and integration into the Waymo Driver. We conduct our own research to address real-world problems and collaborate with research teams at Alphabet
• We have access to millions of miles of driving data from a diverse set of sensors, enabling engineers like you to (1) develop methods for efficiently and continuously learning from large scale real-world data, to (2) develop models and model training at scale, to (3) analyze real-world behavior and develop systems for handling the complexities of interacting with the real-world, and (4) optimize models for our onboard and offboard hardware
• In this hybrid role, you’ll report to a Senior Staff Technical Lead Manager
• Set the long-term technical roadmap for next-generation multi-modal perception architectures, driving paradigm shifts in multi-task learning, spatial-temporal modeling, and scene representation
• Architect unified, scalable representations combining diverse sensor modalities across heterogeneous sensor suites
• Lead cross-functional initiatives across Perception and Planner and partner with hardware and infrastructure teams to optimize foundational architectures for onboard requirements
• Mentor ML engineers and foster an engineering culture of rapid prototyping and rigorous benchmarking

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health
• Personalized workplace adjustments for diverse needs and abilities, including physical, mental, and neurodivergent considerations
• Access to mental health apps
• Onsite wellness centers
• Counseling services
• Second medical opinion for you and your loved ones
• Medical advocacy program for transgender employees
• Support programs including menopause benefit
• Competitive compensation
• Regular bonus and equity performance grant opportunities
• Generous 401(k) and regional retirement plans
• Annual cross-company compensation review and pay equity analysis
• 1-on-1 financial coaching
• Fertility and growing family assistance
• Parental leave and baby bonding leave
• Survivor income benefit
• Elder care and support
• Backup childcare
• Caregiver leave
• Paid time off, including vacation, bereavement, sick leave, parental leave, disability, and holidays
• Jury duty leave
• Military leave
• Hybrid work model with remote work opportunities also available
• Educational reimbursement
• Peer learning and coaching platform
• Donation matching programs
• Volunteer hours
• Employee resource groups
• Internal community groups and local culture clubs
• Inspiring spaces to work, recharge, and collaborate with fellow Waymonauts
• On-site meals and snacks
• Fitness centers, massage programs, and ergonomic support
• On-demand fitness, wellbeing, and cooking classes
• Commuter benefits

8+ years of industry experience in Machine Learning, AI or Computer VisionBS or MS in Computer Science, Robotics, Machine Learning, or equivalent practical experienceDemonstrated experience leading large technical initiatives as a Tech Lead across cross-functional teamsProven track record of architecting and shipping large-scale, production-grade machine learning modelsExpert proficiency in Python, C++, and modern ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow)PhD with a publication record at top-tier venuesStrong industrial experience multi-modal foundation models, 3D perception, or end-to-end autonomous driving systemsExperience designing modular, sensor-agnostic perception frameworks that scale across diverse configurations