Staff Software Engineer, Planner
Waymo · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $280,500 / year
- United States
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Job highlights
- Build autonomous driving software for Waymo.
- Ensure safe and smooth vehicle behavior.
- Solve complex real-world driving problems.
- Develop and scale real-time algorithms.
- Utilize C++, ML, and robotics expertise.
About the role
Staff Software Engineer, Planner
Waymo is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to join their autonomous driving technology team. In this role, you will be instrumental in building the brains of Waymo's fully autonomous driving technology, focusing on the perception, decision-making, and deep learning aspects that enable the Waymo Driver to navigate the world safely and efficiently. This is a hybrid role based in [Location - To Be Determined based on recruiter information].
About the Role
As a Staff Software Engineer on the Planner team, you will work with a creative team to ensure the safe, smooth, and predictable behavior of Waymo's autonomous vehicles. This involves tackling complex real-world problems, including graceful handling of social aspects of driving like merging and negotiating narrow roads, all while dealing with uncertain and incomplete information. You will be responsible for framing open-ended problems into well-defined engineering challenges, developing tools, algorithms, and evaluation mechanisms, scaling them to massive datasets, and optimizing them for real-time performance on the vehicles.
Responsibilities:
- Ensure safe, smooth, and predictable vehicle behavior, handling complex social driving situations.
- Address noisy, uncertain, and incomplete information in real-time.
- Frame real-world problems into solvable engineering challenges.
- Develop tools, algorithms, and evaluation mechanisms.
- Scale solutions to large-scale data pipelines.
- Refine systems for real-time performance on autonomous vehicles.
Qualifications:
- BS in Computer Science, ML, Robotics, a similar technical field of study, or equivalent practical experience.
- 5+ years of general software engineering experience.
- Proficiency in C++ with a focus on efficient code.
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
- MS in Computer Science, ML, Robotics, or a similar technical field of study.
- Experience solving motion planning or related robotics problems.
- Experience evaluating ML-based systems.
Compensation & Benefits:
The expected base salary range for this full-time position is $251,000—$310,000 USD. Actual pay will be determined by factors such as work location, experience, training, education, and skill level. Employees are also eligible for Waymo’s discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous company benefits.
Key skills/competency:
- Autonomous Driving
- Software Engineering
- Robotics
- C++
- Machine Learning
- Perception
- Decision Making
- Motion Planning
- Real-time Systems
- Algorithm Development
Skills & topics
- Software Engineer
- Autonomous Driving
- Robotics
- C++
- Machine Learning
- Perception
- Decision Making
- Motion Planning
- Real-time Systems
- Algorithm Development
- Staff Engineer
- Tech Lead
- Hybrid Role
- Waymo
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight C++ experience, robotics, ML, and 5+ years of software engineering for Waymo's Staff Software Engineer role.
- Showcase problem-solving: Emphasize experience framing real-world issues into engineering problems and developing algorithms.
- Demonstrate collaboration: Detail your experience working with diverse teams on complex technical projects.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Be ready to discuss C++ efficiency, motion planning, and ML system evaluation.
- Understand Waymo's mission: Articulate your passion for autonomous driving and improving mobility.
Technical preparation
Master C++ for efficient real-time systems.,Practice motion planning and robotics algorithms.,Study ML system design and evaluation.,Prepare for complex algorithm design questions.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex problem you framed and solved.,How do you handle uncertain or incomplete data?,Share an experience collaborating with diverse teams.,How do you ensure safety and predictability in systems?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the expected salary range for the Staff Software Engineer position at Waymo?
- The expected base salary range for the Staff Software Engineer, Planner role at Waymo is $251,000 to $310,000 USD annually. The exact salary will depend on factors like your specific work location, years of experience, relevant education, and demonstrated skills. Waymo also offers a discretionary annual bonus program, an equity incentive plan, and comprehensive benefits.
- What are the key technical skills required for a Staff Software Engineer at Waymo?
- For the Staff Software Engineer, Planner role at Waymo, strong proficiency in C++ with a focus on efficient coding is essential. You should also have a solid understanding of software engineering principles, with a background in areas like Machine Learning, Robotics, Perception, Decision Making, and Motion Planning. A BS or MS in Computer Science, ML, Robotics, or a related technical field is typically required.
- What is the work arrangement for the Staff Software Engineer role at Waymo?
- The Staff Software Engineer, Planner position at Waymo is a hybrid role. This means you will be expected to work from the office some days and remotely on others. Specific details about the hybrid schedule and expectations will be discussed during the hiring process.
- Does Waymo hire for remote Staff Software Engineer positions?
- While the Staff Software Engineer, Planner role is described as hybrid, Waymo may have other positions or specific circumstances where remote work is possible. Your recruiter can provide the most accurate information regarding remote work opportunities for this specific role or other relevant positions at Waymo during the application process.
- How many years of experience are needed for the Staff Software Engineer position at Waymo?
- Waymo requires at least 5 years of general software engineering experience for the Staff Software Engineer, Planner role. Candidates with a strong background in C++ and experience in areas like robotics or ML are highly valued. Advanced degrees (MS) can also be considered equivalent to some years of experience.
- What kind of problems will a Staff Software Engineer at Waymo solve?
- A Staff Software Engineer at Waymo will tackle complex, open-ended real-world problems related to autonomous driving. This includes ensuring the vehicle's behavior is safe, smooth, and predictable, especially in challenging social driving scenarios like merging or navigating narrow roads, all while managing uncertain data. You'll frame these issues into engineering problems, develop algorithms, and optimize them for real-time performance.
- What is the educational background preferred for this role at Waymo?
- Waymo prefers candidates for the Staff Software Engineer, Planner role to have a BS in Computer Science, ML, Robotics, or a similar technical field. An MS in these areas is considered a plus and preferred qualification. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.