At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a diverse team to develop cutting-edge simulations for the Waymo Driver.
- Company: Join Waymo, a leader in autonomous vehicle technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team pushing the boundaries of AI and simulation technology.
- Why this job: Make a global impact by driving advanced machine learning projects in a collaborative setting.
- Qualifications: PhD or Master's in relevant fields and proven leadership in engineering.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Requirements
- A PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Robotics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
- A proven track record of leading, scaling, and managing large engineering organizations in a fast-paced, research-driven, and highly technical environment
- Deep foundational knowledge and applied expertise in machine learning, generative foundation models, and/or complex simulation environments
- Demonstrated ability to drive complex, multi-year, cross-functional projects from early conception to global impact
- Extensive experience managing and developing senior engineers, staff engineers, and technical leads/managers
- (Desirable) Familiarity with autonomous vehicle technology, robotics, or complex embodied AI systems
- (Desirable) Exceptional executive communication skills, with a proven ability to build consensus and influence stakeholders across reporting lines
- (Desirable) Demonstrated capability to translate highly ambiguous, long-term strategic goals into focused, actionable engineering roadmaps
What the job involves
The Simulator Team at Waymo builds state-of-the-art simulations of realistic environments for evaluating, training and scaling the Waymo Driver. Your team will be a diverse, and collaborative group of machine learning (ML) engineers, software engineers and data scientists.
We develop industry-leading simulation solutions using advanced ML algorithms that measure and enhance the performance of the Waymo Driver. We achieve those goals by jointly modeling the real world, including realistic agents (vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists), static road elements, traffic control systems, weather conditions, and the full sensor suite including camera, lidar and radars.
We enhance our simulations' fidelity, scalability, and controllability by leveraging state of the art machine learning. This includes large language models, foundational world models, and reconstructive methods, all trained on datasets using both generative and reconstructive AI, alongside traditional rendering techniques.
Serve as the connective tissue for the London office, ensuring that engineers across Sim Realism, DUE, AIF, and other functions feel part of a single, cohesive 'One Waymo' site.
Act as the primary executive conduit between Waymo's Foundation Model initiatives and Google DeepMind teams in the UK to accelerate joint R&D.
Define the technical roadmap for the London Sim Realism team, driving tight alignment with Waymo's overarching simulation and AI-first objectives.
Direct the research and engineering of cutting-edge generative models for sensor-level and semantic-level simulation (Waymo World Model).
Recruit, manage, and mentor a top-tier Sim Realism engineering organization, attracting elite talent in machine learning, generative AI, and simulation.
Partner closely with Real Estate & Workplace Services (REWS) to design and support a site strategy.
Director of Engineering in London employer: Waymo
Waymo is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment in London where cutting-edge technology meets collaborative teamwork. Employees benefit from a culture that prioritises diversity, professional growth, and the opportunity to lead pioneering projects in machine learning and simulation, all while being part of a globally impactful mission in autonomous driving. With access to top-tier talent and resources, Waymo fosters an atmosphere of continuous learning and development, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Engineering in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Waymo or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Waymo.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Waymo.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Waymo that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Engineering in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Waymo.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Waymo and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Waymo
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Waymo uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
