Senior Systems Engineer - DoorDash Air

DoorDash USA; Oakland, San Francisco (CA, CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with employer matching

16 weeks of paid parental leave

Wellness benefits

Paid time off

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits

Job summary

DoorDash USA is seeking a highly motivated Systems Engineer to define the architecture and integration of next-generation delivery platforms. The role requires translating business objectives into engineering specifications and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

Ideal candidates will have a strong background in systems engineering, particularly in safety-critical environments, and the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines. DoorDash offers comprehensive benefits and opportunities for equity grants.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering or related role.
• Proficiency with requirements management tools and processes.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Define system requirements and interfaces for delivery platforms.
• Develop and maintain system architecture and interface control documents.
• Lead trade studies and technical risk assessments.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Aerospace experience

Collaborative skills

Data analysis with Python

Education

Bachelor's or advanced degree in related engineering discipline

Tools

DOORS

Jama

Polarion

Job description

DoorDash Labs, established in 2018, serves as the innovation hub for DoorDash, focusing on developing automation and robotics solutions to enhance last‑mile logistics. The team’s mission is to create technologies that support and augment human networks, aiming to improve efficiency for Dashers, merchants, and consumers alike. We’re ruthlessly focused on business impact, and we are a highly senior team composed of former pioneers from a variety of robotics industries. As of 2025, DoorDash has completed 10B lifetime deliveries; we’re focused on how to do the next 10B even better.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Systems Engineer to help shape the architecture and integration of our next‑generation delivery platforms. In this role, you will define system requirements, interfaces, and verification strategies that connect diverse hardware, software, and operational teams into a cohesive, safe, and reliable system. You will translate high‑level business and mission objectives into clear engineering specifications, ensuring our delivery platform meets performance, safety, and regulatory goals.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in complex system development, with experience in aerospace, autonomous vehicles, or other safety‑critical domains, and thrives in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment where clear thinking and systems‑level perspective drive success.

You’re excited about this opportunity because you will…

• Define system requirements and interfaces for delivery platforms, translating business and operational goals into verifiable technical requirements
• Develop and maintain system architecture and interface control documents that allocate functionality, performance, and safety constraints across subsystems and components
• Lead trade studies and technical risk assessments to evaluate design options and make data‑driven recommendations balancing various objectives
• Create verification & validation strategies (test plans, acceptance criteria, simulation requirements) and coordinate cross‑discipline verification activities to ensure end‑to‑end performance and safety
• Act as the technical liaison to regulatory bodies, ops teams, suppliers, and program management to ensure compliance and smooth system integration into delivery workflows

We’re excited about you because…

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Systems, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or a related engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering, requirements management, or a related role within a safety‑critical or high‑complexity engineering environment
• Proficiency with requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama, or Polarion) and structured requirements traceability processes
• Demonstrated experience developing and validating system requirements in self‑driving, aerospace, or other safety‑critical domains
• Proven ability to collaborate across disciplines (Mechanical, Electrical, Software, and Reliability Engineering) to define and manage system interfaces
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and organizational skills, with a track record of driving complex, cross‑functional engineering efforts
• Experience with Python or SQL for data analysis, system modeling, or test automation

Compensation

The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the pay range listed below and is determined based on job‑related factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. Base salary is localized according to an employee’s work location. Ranges are market‑dependent and may be modified in the future.

In addition to base salary, the compensation for this role includes opportunities for equity grants.

Benefits

DoorDash offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees, including a 401(k) plan with employer matching, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, wellness benefits, commuter benefits match, paid time off and paid sick leave in compliance with applicable laws, medical, dental, and vision benefits, 11 paid holidays, disability and basic life insurance, family‑forming assistance, and a mental health program, among others.

About DoorDash

At DoorDash, our mission to empower local economies shapes how our team members move quickly, learn, and reiterate in order to make impactful decisions that display empathy for our range of users—from Dashers to merchant partners to consumers. We are a technology and logistics company that started by enabling door‑to‑door delivery, and we are looking for team members who can help us go from a company known for food delivery to one that people turn to for any and all goods. DoorDash is growing rapidly and changing constantly, giving our team members the opportunity to share unique perspectives, solve new challenges, and own their careers. We’re committed to supporting employees’ happiness, healthiness, and overall well‑being with comprehensive benefits and perks including premium healthcare, wellness expense reimbursement, paid parental leave, and more.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We’re committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry, and cities. We hire and cultivate diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunity to excel.

Statement of Non‑Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, or veteran status. We strive to prevent subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (e.g., stereotyping) from gaining a foothold in our office.