Waabi

Senior / Staff Software Engineer, ML-based Controls at Waabi (US &, Canada)

Waabi· US &, Canada·

Role details

Work type
Hybrid
Employment
Full-Time
Level
Staff

Job description

You Will… Design and develop data-driven and machine-learned approaches to vehicle control problems, bringing modern ML to a domain traditionally solved with classical methods. Develop learned models of vehicle behavior and dynamics, and integrate them into the closed-loop simulation. Apply machine learning to improve how the controller adapts across vehicles and operating conditions. Be part of a team of multidisciplinary Engineers and Research Scientists using an AI-first approach to enable safe self-driving at scale. Own problems end to end, from conceptualization and offline experimentation through simulation and on-vehicle validation. Build the data pipelines, evaluation metrics, and tooling needed to measure whether a learned approach outperforms the classical baseline. Participate and share ideas in technical and architecture discussions, helping define how learning and classical control coexist in a safety-critical stack. Qualifications: MS/PhD or Bachelors degree with a minimum of 4 years of industry experience in Robotics, Controls, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and/or similar technical field(s) of study. Demonstrated depth in control theory and dynamic systems (e.g., MPC, optimal control, state estimation, system identification, kinematic and dynamic vehicle modeling). Hands-on experience applying machine learning to a physical system, with real hardware in the loop rather than simulation alone. Production-quality coding skill in Python and C++, and experience with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch. Solid problem solving skills using linear algebra, optimization, statistics & probability. Ability to rapidly prototype and test new algorithms, and to design the experiments that prove whether they work. Open-minded and collaborative team player with the willingness to help others. Passionate about self-driving technologies, solving hard problems, and creating innovative solutions.

The US yearly salary range for this role is: $241,000 - $320,000 USD in addition to competitive perks & benefits. Waabi US Inc.’s yearly salary ranges are determined based on several factors in accordance with the Company’s compensation practices. Note: The Company provides additional compensation for employees in this role, including equity incentive awards and an annual performance bonus.

Why work at Waabi

  • Culture: Values safety, efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and a "virtuous cycle of innovation." Emphasis on real-world impact and personal growth.
  • Remote/Hybrid: Offers remote flexibility with 5 offices across North America (Toronto, San Francisco, Dallas, Phoenix, Pittsburgh). Many roles are hybrid or remote.
  • Engineering culture: Technical stack includes Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, CUDA, ROS, Linux, Kubernetes, and proprietary simulation tools. 43% of employees are in technical roles, 15% in research.
  • Perks: Not explicitly listed, but strong employer rating (4.6/5 on third-party reviews) and high compensation (e.g., Staff Software Developer median ~$151K USD, Systems Engineer ~$124K).
  • Growth opportunities: 51% YoY headcount growth, many leadership hires; career progression from intern to director roles is common.

Application questions