Principal Software Engineer, ML Systems

Who you are

You have 8+ years of experience in software engineering, with a strong focus on machine learning systems — you've developed and deployed complex ML models and understand the intricacies of large-scale data processing. Your expertise in Python and TensorFlow allows you to build robust solutions that enhance perception capabilities in autonomous systems.

You possess a deep understanding of cloud platforms, particularly AWS, and have experience with containerization technologies like Docker and orchestration tools such as Kubernetes — you know how to leverage these tools to create scalable and efficient ML workflows. Your background in data engineering equips you with the skills to handle large datasets and optimize data pipelines for model training.

You are familiar with ML frameworks and libraries, including MLflow and Apache Spark, and have a proven track record of implementing best practices in model training and deployment — you thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy working closely with cross-functional teams to drive innovation.

Your analytical mindset enables you to tackle complex problems and derive actionable insights from data — you are comfortable conducting experiments and iterating on models to improve performance. You are passionate about advancing autonomous driving technology and are eager to contribute to a mission-driven organization like Waymo.

Desirable

Experience with large-scale data extraction and processing for model training is a plus — familiarity with tools like BigQuery will help you excel in this role. Knowledge of additional programming languages such as Java or C++ can also be beneficial.

What you'll do

As a Principal Software Engineer on the ML Systems team, you will work closely with Perception engineers to understand the requirements for ML development workflows — your role will involve optimizing systems for latency, scale, and budget constraints. You will lead initiatives to enhance the Waymo Driver's perception capabilities, ensuring that our models can accurately interpret the environment and make safe driving decisions.

You will be responsible for designing and implementing large-scale data extraction processes that feed into model training pipelines — your expertise will help streamline these workflows and improve overall development velocity. Collaborating with research teams at Alphabet, you will leverage millions of miles of driving data to develop multi-modal models that address real-world challenges.

Your role will also involve mentoring junior engineers and fostering a culture of innovation within the team — you will share your knowledge and experience to help others grow and succeed in their careers. You will participate in code reviews and contribute to architectural discussions, ensuring that our systems are built to the highest standards.

What we offer

Waymo offers a competitive salary range of $332,000—$421,000 USD, along with eligibility for an annual bonus program and equity incentive plan — we value our employees and provide generous benefits to support their well-being. You will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology that is transforming the future of transportation, making a meaningful impact on mobility and safety.

Join a team of talented engineers and researchers who are passionate about advancing autonomous driving technology — at Waymo, you will be part of a mission-driven organization that is dedicated to improving lives through innovation. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every requirement, as we value diverse perspectives and backgrounds.