Waymo

Vehicle Product Engineer

Waymo • $210K — $259K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical Engineering or a related field
  • 10+ years of automotive industry experience in design engineering focused on Vehicle Quality
  • Proficiency in evaluating complex vehicle specifications for compliance
  • Familiarity with core quality tools: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, DOE, and 8D methodologies
  • Experience in data analysis and quality control systems
  • Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and oversee the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for new vehicle launches
  • Verify product design meets quality standards including DFMEA and design reviews
  • Collaborate with OEM and cross-functional teams to ensure product quality compliance
  • Conduct Root Cause Analysis on vehicle quality issues using problem-solving methodologies
  • Analyze field warranty data and defect rates for continuous improvement
  • Establish quality processes, FMEAs, and dynamic inspection/testing protocols for product launch

Benefits

  • Participation in an annual bonus program
  • Equity incentive plan eligibility
  • Generous company benefits program
  • 20% travel as needed for collaboration and oversight
Full Job Description
This is an on-location role and you will report to the Product Quality Manager.

You will:
  • Quality Planning: Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and oversee the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for new vehicle launches. Verify & ensure full compliance with the specification matrix to confirm adherence to the Engineering Requirement Specification (ERS). Provide end-to-end lifecycle quality support for Base Vehicle Hardware/Firmware and SDS vehicle components throughout the vehicle Product Development Plan (PDP).
  • Ensure that the product design process, including activities like DFMEA, design reviews, DFM (Design for Manufacturing), and DFx, meets quality standards and results in a high-quality vehicle.
  • Collaborate with OEM and cross-functional teams such as OEMs, HW engineering, Vehicle Integration, Supply chain, and other teams during product development to verify compliance with internal and external quality standards and requirements and improve product quality.
  • Root Cause Analysis: Lead investigations into vehicle quality issues and manufacturing defects using problem-solving methodologies like 8D, 5-Why, and Ishikawa diagrams.
  • Continuous Improvement: Analyze field warranty data and assembly line defect rates to identify trends and drive corrective actions that improve overall vehicle reliability.
  • Baseline Requirements & Safe Launch: Establish initial quality processes, FMEAs, and dynamic inspection/testing protocols. Finalize and lock Control Plans, PFMEAs, and inspection SOPs to facilitate hardware freeze. Launch Safe Launch protocols and pinpoint critical systems that need heightened lifecycle monitoring.

You have:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical Engineering or a related field
  • 10+ years of automotive industry experience in design engineering for vehicle product development, focusing on Vehicle Quality.
  • Proficiency in evaluating and interpreting complex vehicle specifications to confirm complete compliance during both validation and manufacturing processes.
  • Proficiency in core quality tools and methodologies: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA (Measurement System Analysis), SPC (Statistical Process Control), DOE and 8D problem-solving.
  • Experience with data analysis, statistical tools, and quality control systems
  • Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills

We prefer:
  • Master's degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
  • Exceptional attention to detail and ability to leverage data forensics for resolving complex manufacturing assembly quality issues
  • Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: New Product Introduction, Design Engineering, or Manufacturing Operations in consumer electronics
  • Strong understanding of electronic assembly processes. & Solid grasp of statistical analysis and production control processes
  • Proficient in data analysis and interpretation
  • Experience collaborating with international contract manufacturers in mass production, including travel to manufacturing sites
  • Highly motivated self-starter with innovative thinking, integrity, and meticulous attention to detail

Travel requirements:
  • 20% travel as needed


The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process.

Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo's discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.

Salary Range

$210,000-$259,000 USD

About Waymo

Waymo LLC is a self-driving technology development company. It is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google. Waymo develops autonomous driving technology and provides ride-hailing services through its Waymo One program. The company has been testing its self-driving technology on public roads since 2009 and has logged millions of miles of autonomous driving. Waymo has partnerships with several automakers and has been working on developing autonomous trucks for use in logistics.
Learn more about Waymo
Size
2,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2009

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