Software Technical Lead Manager, Test Automation Infrastructure

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver—The World's Most Experienced Driver™—to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo’s fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.

Waymo's Systems Engineering team works together to blend software and hardware systems in groundbreaking new ways. We set the high performance standards that ensure our vehicles run smoothly and keep passengers safe, then design and perform the tests that validate that performance. We're looking for talented teammates who’ll help us maintain strong teamwork and are passionate about driving results.

This role follows a hybrid work schedule and reports to the Director of Systems Test Engineering.

You will:

• Architect a Testing Continuum: Define and drive the technical roadmap for a seamless testing continuum, bridging the gap between virtual simulation and high-fidelity hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments and enabling automated orchestration, execution, and analysis across the spectrum of test environments

• Scale HIL Infrastructure: Oversee the development and scaling of our hardware-in-the-loop test infrastructure, ensuring high-availability, automated deployment of new firmware and software, robust execution of regression suites, and high-fidelity test and integration environments for developers

• Champion Software Excellence: Act as the senior software engineering leader for the team, ensuring our automation frameworks are production-grade, maintainable, and aligned with industry-leading software development standards

• Drive Automated V&V: Lead the technical strategy for automated verification and validation of new software, firmware, hardware, and platform configurations, enabling continuous verification for complex safety-critical systems

• Manage & Mentor: Grow and manage a diverse team of Software Engineers, Hardware Engineers, and Systems Test Engineers, fostering a culture of technical rigor, inclusive collaboration, and servant leadership

• Partner Cross-Functionally: Collaborate closely with Hardware Engineering, Software Simulation, and Program leadership to align on resourcing, technical standards, and mission success

You have:

• Education: Must have a BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics or similar technical field of study

• SWE Leadership: Extensive experience as a Technical Lead or Manager in a production software environment (C++ and/or Python)

• Systems Thinking: A proven track record of managing complex HW/SW integration projects, ideally in robotics, AVs, or aerospace

• Technical Vision: Experience setting long-term roadmaps for infrastructure that serves a diverse set of internal customers

We prefer:

• Ecosystem Knowledge: Deep familiarity with modern CI/CD, scalable test infrastructure, and data-driven verification

• Robotics/Safety Expertise: Experience with HIL vendors (dSPACE, NI), real-time embedded systems, and/or safety-critical software standards (ISO 26262, DO-178C, IEC 62304, etc)

• Infrastructure as Product: A mindset that treats test environments as products, focusing on customer adoption and ROI

Travel requirements:

• 10-15% for Proving Ground and Lab visits

The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process.

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.

Salary Range
$281,000—$356,000 USD