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Mechanical Engineer, Product Development at Waymo (Mountain View, CA)

Waymo· Mountain View, CA· $187k–$196k·

Role details

Salary
$187k–$196k

Job description

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver—The World's Most Experienced Driver™—to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo’s fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.

Hardware Engineering is a diverse, innovative, and collaborative group of electrical, mechanical, reliability, software and vehicle engineers. We design, build, and perfect the products which are the eyes and ears of Waymo's autonomous driving technology, and integrate those products into vehicle platforms. We're seeking curious and talented teammates to keep us moving in the right direction.

This role follows an in-person schedule and will report to a Staff Mechanical Engineer.

You will:

  • Create real-world hardware solutions: driving through the product life-cycle from initial concepts  and prototyping through tooling and mass production
  • Mechanical engineering design: for performance, cost, reliability- including rapid prototyping, thermals, considerations for EMI/EMC, IP-ratings
  • Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partnering closely with electrical, manufacturing, vehicle, and industrial design teams to develop modules that meet the needs of our business.
  • Design for Scale: Create robust parts using a variety of materials while rigorously managing tolerance analysis, GD&T, BOMs, and PLM release processes

You have:

  • Experience: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with 5+ years of industry experience, or equivalent working experience in consumer electronics, automotive sensors, or related complex product design.
  • CAD Mastery: Highly proficient in 3D CAD tools (Catia V6 and/or Solidworks preferred)
  • Technical Breadth: Experience designing metal, plastic, and elastomer parts, backed by a strong grasp of tolerance analysis and GD&T
  • First-Principles Thinker: A demonstrated ability to apply foundational physics to design problems that may include: structural, thermal, and optical constraints

We prefer:

  • 7+ years of experience in mechanical design, taking products from concept to production
  • Experience in HV and LV electronics, actuators, motors, precision components at scale
  • Proven track record of shipping reliable product designs
  • Experience developing and sourcing hardware with international suppliers

The expected base salary range for this full-time position 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.  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 $187,000—$196,000 USD

Why work at Waymo

  • Impact: Work on technology that directly saves lives (1.4M traffic deaths globally each year) and reshapes the future of transportation.
  • Culture: Waymo describes itself as a place for “ambitious thinkers and relentless problem solvers” with a deep respect for getting every detail right. Values include safety, innovation, and responsibility.
  • Teams: Opportunities across Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, AI Foundations, Product & Design, Operations & Supply Chain, Safety, Policy, and General & Administrative roles.
  • Internships: Strong early-career program with internships for Bachelors, Masters, MBA, and PhD candidates, often leading to full-time offers.
  • Hiring process: Transparent and structured. Includes an initial recruiter screen, 1-2 phone/video interviews, and a virtual onsite (up to 5 interviews). Emphasizes problem-solving, collaboration, and real-time thinking. AI tools are not permitted during technical assessments to ensure fair evaluation.
  • Remote/hybrid policy: The careers page lists both on-site and remote roles, with most engineering and operations roles based in Mountain View, San Francisco, or other US locations.
  • Benefits: Top-notch benefits, unique learning opportunities, thoughtful community engagement, and meaningful gatherings. Specific perks are not detailed publicly but are described as comprehensive.

Application questions