Data, machine learning, and statistical models play a critical role in building the Waymo Driver and in evaluating its performance. Waymo data scientists work closely with engineering and ensure high-quality reasoning and validation about data and models in our production systems. We help our partner teams interpret data in the face of statistical uncertainty, data ambiguity, and systematic biases.

The Safety Evaluation team stands as the gatekeepers of safety, weaving expertise in data analysis and robust validation into the very fabric of our autonomous driving systems. We collaborate closely with engineers to ensure the evaluation of ML-heavy-systems rests on a foundation of safety principles. Our expertise seeps into every layer of our safety-critical systems, ensuring each decision made by our vehicles is rooted in rigorous analysis and sound judgment. Our work extends beyond assessment, venturing into the realm of innovation as we craft novel ML techniques uniquely tailored to the complexities of collision evaluation. Ultimately, our team paves the way for safer roads and a future where Waymo diver glides confidently through the complexities of the real world.

As a Senior Data Scientist specializing in Safety Evaluation at Waymo, you'll play a critical role in ensuring the safety and reliability of autonomous vehicles. Your responsibilities will span the entire spectrum of data analysis, model development, and evaluation. While each day at Waymo is different, your primary responsibilities will include:

• Develop safety evaluation frameworks that are critical to ML model improvements.
• Design and implement robust data analysis pipelines and validation frameworks.
• Develop and apply statistical methods and ML models to analyze historical/simulation data and assess safety performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams like Simulation and Planning to ensure comprehensive safety evaluation across the autonomous driving system.

At a minimum we'd like you to have:

• PhD in a quantitative field (IE Statistics, Mathematics, Physics)
• 3 years of industry experience solving large-scale complex problems
• Proven expertise using advanced statistical methods (e.g., ML models, hypothesis testing, causal analysis)
• Ability to interpret and work with data in the presence of ambiguity (e.g., confounding factors, data sparsity or quality challenges)
• Demonstrated knowledge of Python/SQL/R data analysis libraries and packages
• Ability to take ambiguous and complex business requirements and propose a technical solution

It's preferred if you also have:

• Experience solving problems related to Autonomous Driving
• Experience in adjacent relevant areas like Advanced Machine Learning (Deep Learning and Diffusion models), Traffic Modeling, Safety Evaluation or Prediction
• Hands-on experience with Google infra tools like PLX, Borg, GCL, etc

While at Waymo, you will enjoy benefits that cover...

Health and wellness: Our people are at the heart of everything we do. At Waymo, you can enjoy top-notch medical, dental and vision insurance, mental wellness support, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), a Health Saving Account (HSA), and special wellness programs.

Financial wellness: Your financial peace of mind is important to us. At Waymo, we offer competitive compensation, bonus opportunities, equity, a generous 401(k) plan, 1-on-1 financial coaching, a 529 College Savings Plan and lots of other perks and employee discounts.

Flexibility and time off: Take the time you need to relax and recharge. Enjoy the flexibility to work from another location for four weeks per year. We support an on-site or hybrid work model and offer remote working opportunities, paid time off, bereavement, sick, and parental leave.

Supporting families: When it comes to growing your family or caring for your loved ones, you have our full support. Enhanced leave options include paid parental leave (birthing parent gets 24 weeks of paid leave with up to 4 weeks of additional leave before their due date, and non-birthing parent gets 18 weeks of paid leave), and 20 days of subsidized backup childcare or adult/elder care.. Access to fertility care or adoption support as you grow your family.

Community and personal development: At Waymo, you'll find a range of opportunities to grow, connect, and give back. We offer education reimbursement, personal and professional development, mentorship, and other ways to connect through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), other internal groups, and even time off to volunteer.

Cool perks: Access to Google offices, cafes, wellness centers, massages, and so much more. To support your wellbeing at home, you can enjoy at-home fitness and cooking classes, and more.