Program Manager, ML Data

About The Company

Waymo is a pioneering autonomous driving technology company committed to transforming mobility and enhancing safety on the roads. Originating from the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has dedicated itself to developing the Waymo Driver—The World’s Most Experienced Driver™—aimed at providing safer, more accessible transportation options. With a focus on leveraging cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies, Waymo’s mission is to be the most trusted driver in the world. The company’s innovative approach has resulted in over ten million rider-only trips, driven by its autonomous vehicles that have collectively traveled over 100 million miles on public roads across more than 15 U.S. states, complemented by tens of billions of miles in simulation. Waymo’s solutions are applied to various vehicle platforms and use cases, aiming to reduce traffic fatalities and improve mobility for all.

About The Role

As an ML Data Program Manager at Waymo, you will serve as a vital operational leader within our machine learning initiatives. Your primary responsibility will be to oversee and execute complex, cross-functional programs that ensure the delivery of high-quality data—an essential component for developing and refining autonomous driving models. You will manage the entire data lifecycle, from defining data requirements and developing tooling to scaling data pipelines, ensuring that our ML teams have the necessary resources to innovate effectively. This role demands a detail-oriented, strategic thinker capable of translating ambiguous data needs into tangible, scalable solutions. You will collaborate with various teams, including technical leads, product managers, and program managers, to align efforts with organizational goals, mitigate risks proactively, and improve decision-making processes. Your work will directly impact Waymo’s ability to advance autonomous driving technology and improve safety standards across the industry.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in engineering program management, with at least 3+ years focused on data-centric programs for machine learning
• Deep understanding of the ML model life-cycle and the critical role of data, including sourcing, labeling, and quality evaluation
• Proven ability to manage complex technical programs, including project planning, dependency management, and Agile methodologies such as Scrum
• Technical judgment in the ML/data domain, with experience facilitating trade-off discussions related to data pipelines, tooling, and data quality
• Experience managing data annotation and labeling pipelines, either through in-house tooling or third-party vendors
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of articulating technical and strategic information to both executive and engineering audiences

Responsibilities

• Collaborate across cross-functional teams to align project execution with product and organizational goals
• Partner with technical leads, product managers, and program managers to drive the successful delivery of data programs
• Lead proactive risk management efforts and develop contingency plans to ensure project continuity
• Establish and maintain mechanisms that enhance organizational efficiency, decision-making speed, and execution quality
• Communicate program status, decisions, and changes effectively across all levels of the organization
• Deep dive into project details to identify gaps, evaluate risks, and ensure alignment with strategic objectives
• Manage and optimize data annotation/labeling pipelines, including vendor relationships and tooling solutions
• Analyze trade-offs and facilitate technical decision-making to improve data quality and pipeline robustness

Benefits

• Participation in Waymo’s discretionary annual bonus program
• Eligibility for the company's equity incentive plan
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
• Generous paid time off and holiday policies
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• Flexible work arrangements, including remote options where applicable

Equal Opportunity

Waymo is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to these or any other protected categories.

Key skills/competency

• Program Management
• Machine Learning
• Data Management
• Autonomous Driving
• Data Pipelines
• Data Annotation
• Agile Methodologies
• Risk Management
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Technical Judgment