Sensor Placement and Analysis Engineer

Waymo; Mountain View (CA); Hybrid; USD 196,000 - 242,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity incentives

Discretionary bonus

Generous benefits package

Job summary

Waymo is seeking a Hardware Engineer to join a cross-disciplinary team responsible for sensor placement and integration within our autonomous vehicles. You will evaluate sensor strategies, analyze CAD models, and ensure alignment with perception requirements across vehicle platforms.

You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to improve geometric layout analyses, verify sensor performance, and help define integration methods for sensor suites, with domestic travel up to

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Physics.
• Experience: 5–10 years in Automotive or Aerospace Defense.
• Sensor Subject Matter Expertise: multi-modal sensing including cameras, LiDARs, radars.
• Systems Architecture: understanding of how sensing modalities work in AVs.
• Perception Fundamentals: sensor data to perception and object detection.
• CAD assemblies: managing very large CAD assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct geometric evaluations of sensor placement hypotheses.
• Evaluate and define multi-modal sensor placement strategies for existing and new vehicle platforms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on hardware and integration methods for sensor suites.
• Oversee enhancement and adaptation of analytical tools and reporting.
• Ensure sensor placement meets perception software requirements.
• Collaborate with mechanical design and product teams for optimal sensor performance.

Skills

Sensor placement

CAD assemblies

Object detection

Autonomous vehicle architecture

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Mechatronics/Physics

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

CATIA

Job description

Hardware Engineering is a diverse, innovative, and collaborative group of electrical, mechanical, reliability, software and vehicle engineers. We design, build, and perfect the products which are the eyes and ears of Waymo's self‑driving systems, and integrate those products into vehicle platforms. We're seeking curious and talented teammates to keep us moving in the right direction.

In this hybrid role, you will report to a Design Manager.

Responsibilities

• Conduct rigorous geometric evaluations of sensor placement hypotheses, providing the thorough analysis necessary to guarantee our perception requirements are fully supported
• Evaluate and define multi‑modal sensor placement strategies on existing and new vehicle platforms to maximize the field of view and operational design domain of the Waymo Driver
• Closely collaborate with cross‑functional engineering teams to help define, generate, and refine hardware and integration methods for our sensor suites
• Oversee the enhancement and adaptation of our analytical tools and reporting to boost operational capacity and precision as we continue to grow
• Utilize your understanding of object detection and classification to ensure that the physical placement of sensors meets the rigorous requirements of our perception software
• Leverage your knowledge of passenger vehicle geometry and integration methods to collaborate with mechanical design, packaging, industrial design, product teams to ensure optimal sensor placement, robust requirement alignment and verification of integrated sensor performance

Qualifications

Required:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or Physics
• Experience: 5-10 years of relevant professional industry experience in the Automotive or Aerospace Defense sectors
• Sensor Subject Matter Expertise: Understanding of multi‑modal sensing functionality, specifically how cameras, LiDARs, and radars operate as individual hardware units
• Systems Architecture: Strong grasp of how various sensing modalities complement each other and work together within an autonomous vehicle architecture
• Perception Fundamentals: A foundational understanding of how sensor data translates into perception capabilities, specifically regarding object detection and classification
• Expertise managing very large CAD (Computer Aided Design) assemblies performing geometric layout analyses

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or Physics
• Experience with system engineering fundamentals: requirements definition, system design and architecture, trade studies, and verification and validation methods
• Experience working on large, complex systems and navigating ambiguity with multiple stakeholders while balancing accelerated timelines / implementation schedules
• Industrial Design / Studio sensitivity: we recognize that sensor aesthetics can be a polarizing topic, even if we appreciate their functionality
• A deep understanding of CAD tools, preferably CATIA
• Proficient at developing tasks and workflows that can be delegated to geometry creation (CAD) specialists, enabling you to focus on analysis and delivery
• Domestic travel: 5% - 10%

Salary Range $196,000 – $242,000 USD

Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo’s discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.