Staff Systems Engineer, DoorDash Air

DoorDash, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Parental leave (16 weeks)

Wellness benefits

Commuter benefits

Paid time off

Paid sick leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision benefits

11 paid holidays

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Family-forming assistance

Mental health program

Job summary

DoorDash, Inc. is seeking a seasoned Systems Engineer to shape the architecture and integration of our next-generation delivery platforms in San Francisco, CA.

You will translate business objectives into clear technical requirements to ensure performance, safety, and regulatory compliance. The role requires a strong background in complex system development, with experience in safety-critical domains and collaboration across Mechanical, Electrical, Software, and Reliability teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in Systems or related engineering field required.
• 8+ years in systems engineering or similar safety-critical roles.
• Experience with requirements tools and traceability processes.
• Proven ability to translate complex objectives into specs.

Responsibilities

• Define system requirements and interfaces for delivery platforms with verifiable specs.
• Develop architecture and interface control documents across subsystems.
• Lead risk assessments and trade studies for data-driven decisions.
• Create verification strategies and coordinate cross-discipline activities.
• Interface with regulators, ops, suppliers, and program management for compliance.

Skills

8+ years experience

System requirements

Python/SQL

Requirements management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Safety-critical domain

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Tools

DOORS

Jama

Polarion

Job description

About The Team

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. We are a highly senior team composed of former pioneers from a variety of different 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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Systems, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or a related engineering discipline.
• 8+ 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 (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 & Benefits

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

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees, which includes 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.

Paid Time Off

• For salaried roles: flexible paid time off/vacation, plus 80 hours of paid sick time per year.
• For hourly roles: vacation accrued at about 1 hour for every 25.97 hours worked, and paid sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.

EEO Statement

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: 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 also strive to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior.

If you need any accommodations, please inform your recruiting contact upon initial connection.