
Machine Learning Engineer
Role summary
Waymo is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer for its AI Foundations team to develop large-scale ML models for autonomous driving systems. This hybrid role involves designing, training, and evaluating models for perception, planning, and decision-making, with a focus on deploying LLMs/VLMs into production. The engineer will build and enhance ML frameworks and infrastructure, collaborate with perception and planning teams, and implement automation pipelines for model training, evaluation, and deployment. Responsibilities include performance tuning, architecture optimization, and staying current with AI trends to advance foundational technologies for safe and reliable autonomous transportation.
About The Company
Waymo is a pioneering autonomous driving technology company dedicated to transforming mobility and enhancing road safety. Originating from the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has established itself as a leader in developing the most trusted driver through innovative solutions. The company's core mission is to build the Waymo Driver, the world's most experienced autonomous driver, capable of providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation options. With a focus on reducing traffic-related fatalities, Waymo's technology has driven over ten million rider-only trips, covering more than 100 million miles on public roads across over 15 states, complemented by tens of billions of miles in simulation. The company’s commitment to research and development continues to push the boundaries of autonomous vehicle capabilities, fostering collaborations within Alphabet and beyond to advance machine learning and AI solutions for real-world applications.
About The Role
We are seeking a talented and innovative Machine Learning Engineer to join our AI Foundations team at Waymo. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of large-scale machine learning models that are integral to our autonomous driving systems. As part of our hybrid work environment, you will collaborate with a diverse team of researchers and engineers to design, train, and evaluate models that enhance perception, planning, and decision-making capabilities of Waymo's autonomous vehicles. Your work will involve developing and integrating cutting-edge ML frameworks and infrastructure, particularly focusing on the deployment of large language and vision models (LLMs/VLMs) into our production environment. You will work closely with perception and planning teams to translate foundational AI research into scalable, real-world solutions that improve safety, efficiency, and reliability of autonomous driving technology.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related technical field
- Minimum of 3 years of professional experience with Python programming
- At least 3 years of experience working with machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or Jax/Flax
- Practical experience in developing, training, and deploying ML models in production environments
- Strong understanding of deep learning architectures, especially generative models and reinforcement learning
- Experience with large-scale ML infrastructure automation, including training, evaluation, and deployment pipelines
- Proficiency in optimizing ML frameworks for performance and scalability
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and evaluate large-scale machine learning models used in autonomous vehicle systems and simulations
- Build and enhance ML frameworks and infrastructure to support integration of advanced LLMs and VLMs into Waymo’s production environment
- Collaborate with perception and planning teams to translate research into scalable, production-ready AI solutions
- Implement automation pipelines for training, evaluating, and deploying models at scale
- Conduct performance tuning and architecture optimization of ML frameworks to meet operational requirements
- Participate in cross-functional research initiatives to advance AI foundational technologies
- Stay current with emerging trends in machine learning, generative modeling, and reinforcement learning to inform ongoing projects
Benefits
- Competitive salary within the range of $175,000 to $221,000 USD, commensurate with experience and location
- Participation in Waymo's discretionary annual bonus program and equity incentive plan
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
- Generous paid time off and holiday leave
- Flexible work arrangements supporting hybrid work schedules
- Opportunities for professional growth and development within a pioneering technology company
- Access to cutting-edge tools and resources for research and innovation
Equal Opportunity
Waymo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status. We believe that diverse perspectives foster innovation and are essential to our mission of building the most trusted driver.
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