Staff Technical Lead Manager, Simulation, Machine Learning

Job Summary

The Waymo Driver Understanding and Evaluation team is seeking a researcher and software engineer to lead a top-tier applied ML team focused on building ML models for AV behavior understanding and evaluation. This role involves developing cutting-edge deep learning and machine learning models, designing and building Gen AI LLM/VLM solutions, enhancing user feedback analysis, and overseeing the production and optimization of machine learning models.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of cutting edge Deep Learning and machine learning models to enhance human-led triaging and introduce automation for high-volume workflows
• Design and build Gen AI LLM/VLM solutions for self-driving car behavior analysis and anomaly detection
• Enhance User Feedback Analysis, collaborate seamlessly with product and business teams to design and implement tools for multi-label classifications, sentiment assessment, comment summarization, root cause analysis and trend analysis of rider feedback
• Oversee the production and optimization of machine learning models aiming to assess Waymo’s expansive fleet of vehicles that cumulatively travel millions of miles
• Drive technical direction, and provide technical inputs and guidance to the team
• Work closely with PMs and TPMs to help define product requirements and align the technical agenda with the company's business objectives
• Collaborate closely with multiple teams (e.g., Prediction, Planning, Research), other technical leads, and senior leaderships across Waymo to deliver on key strategic efforts

Requirements

• B.S. in Computer Science, Robotics, Machine Learning, similar technical field of study, or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of experience leading engineering teams of 5-15 people
• 7+ years of experience with hands-on experience in machine learning projects
• 7+ years of hands-on experience building and deploying machine learning products in production environments
• Experience in at least one of: Foundational Models, VLM, Deep Learning
• Strong coding experience in C++ and/or Python
• Experience with ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face's transformers, along with expertise in deep learning models and ML deployment at scale

Preferred

• M.S. or Ph.D. degree Computer Science or related quantitative field with a specialization of machine learning
• Deep learning experience with Transformers
• Gen AI LLM/VLM experience
• Experience with building tools for applied machine learning, including MLOps, evaluation/validation techniques, and model performance optimization
• Large-scale data processing and analytical skills