--- title: 'Staff Systems Engineer, Simulation Systems Verification and Validation Lead at Zoox' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-systems-engineer-simulation-systems-verification-and-validation-lead-zoox-mtbxccfhzzjf' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-03' --- # Staff Systems Engineer, Simulation Systems Verification and Validation Lead at Zoox - **Company:** Zoox - **Location:** Foster City, CA - **Compensation:** $208k–$287k - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** hybrid - **Posted:** 2026-10-30 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-03 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/zoox/fd2dfb61-b04c-4489-85ee-f55389c11126 ## Job description Zoox is on an ambitious journey to develop a full-stack autonomous mobility solution for cities. Simulation lets us test our driving software against far more scenarios than we can drive on public roads. For simulation results to count toward our safety case, we must show how closely the simulator matches reality and how much uncertainty the remaining difference adds to our safety metrics. We are seeking a Simulation Systems Verification and Validation (Sim VnV) Lead to own that work across the full autonomy stack. You will define how to validate simulation at the sensor, perception, planning, and full-pipeline levels, lead the cross-functional program that executes the sim VnV program, and turn the results into clear evidence about when and where simulated miles can support safety clearance decisions. You will work closely with simulation, perception, planning, hardware, safety, data science, and systems engineering teams. This is a highly visible, technical leadership role on the critical path to safely scaling our service. The ideal candidate demonstrates systems thinking, can lead a complex program across teams, and knows how to validate a model of a closed-loop system that has an AI controller inside it. In this role, you will: - Own the end-to-end simulation V&V strategy across different levels of integration ranging from sensors-only through the full system behavior for the purpose of constructing a safety case for fully autonomous driving on public roads. - Define the data sets, metrics, and comparison methods. - Lead a recurring cross-functional sim validation program with simulation, perception, planning, systems engineering, safety, and data infrastructure teams. Set milestones and cadence, track risks and dependencies, and drive decisions to closure. - Partner with statisticians and data scientists on estimators that combine simulated and real-world results into safety performance measures. - Write the methodology documents and validation reports, and present results, risks, and recommendations to engineering and executive leadership. - Mentor engineers across teams in V&V practice and systems thinking. ## Qualifications - M.S. or higher in Systems, Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Robotics Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field. - 8+ years of experience in verification and validation of safety-critical systems that contain software or autonomy (for example autonomous vehicles, ADAS, aerospace guidance and flight software, or robotics). - A record of leading technical programs across several teams, from an ambiguous problem statement to a delivered result. - Working-level experience validating a simulation or model against real-world data so that its results could support a decision, preferably for a closed-loop system with software or a learned controller in the loop. - Strong systems thinking: you can break a system into integration levels, define the interfaces and the evidence needed at each level, and connect component-level results to system-level claims. - Experience deriving or implementing estimators that fuse simulated and real data, for example control variates, prediction-powered inference, Bayesian hierarchical models or power priors, importance sampling, or rare-event estimation. Similar experience with modeling uncertainties and failure rates is also acceptable. Bonus Qualifications - Experience with sensor simulation (camera, lidar, radar), neural rendering or generative scene synthesis, or perception evaluation metrics. - Experience evaluating motion planning or behavior in closed-loop simulation at scale. - Familiarity with model credibility and safety standards, such as NASA-STD-7009, ASME V&V 10/20/40, ISO 21448 (SOTIF), UL 4600, ISO 26262, or ISO 34502. - Hands-on Python and SQL. - Ph.D. in a relevant field. ## About Zoox Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team. Follow us on LinkedIn Accommodations If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to accommodations@zoox.com or your assigned recruiter. A Final Note: You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills. ## About Zoox ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Zoox is building a fully autonomous, all-electric, purpose-built robotaxi service to give the world a better way to ride. - **Entity Type**: Private (independent subsidiary of Amazon, acquired in 2020) - **Headquarters**: Foster City, California, USA (with offices in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Austin, Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles) - **Founded**: 2014 - **Founders**: Not specified in provided sources ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Autonomous ride‑hailing / Self‑driving electric vehicles - **Target customers**: B2C – individual riders seeking safe, convenient, and sustainable urban transportation - **Mission**: “Give the world a better way to ride” – providing safer, cleaner, autonomous ride‑hailing for everyone [zoox.com](https://zoox.com/about) ## Products & Services - **Zoox Robotaxi**: A purpose‑built, fully autonomous electric vehicle designed from the ground up for ride‑hailing. Features bidirectional driving, four‑wheel steering, and no steering wheel or pedals. The service handles all charging, maintenance, and fleet management – riders simply get in and enjoy the ride [zoox.com](https://zoox.com). ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not disclosed (Zoox is a private subsidiary of Amazon) - **Key Metric**: Not publicly available (revenue and funding details are not reported as a stand‑alone entity) - **Notable Investors / Partners**: Amazon (parent company) - **Growth Signals**: - Received authorization from the Nevada DMV to operate robotaxis on public roads [zoox.com/about](https://zoox.com/about) - Expanded testing and operations to Las Vegas, Seattle, San Francisco, and other cities - Continues to scale its engineering and operations teams (multiple open roles on the careers page as of 2026) ## Competitive Advantages - **Purpose‑built design**: Unlike retrofitted vehicles, Zoox’s robotaxi is designed from scratch for autonomous ride‑hailing (symmetrical, bidirectional, four‑wheel steering, no driver controls) - **Amazon backing**: Deep financial resources, supply chain expertise, and cloud infrastructure (AWS) support rapid development and scaling - **Full‑stack autonomy**: In‑house AI, computer vision, and sensing stack integrated directly into the vehicle design - **Safety‑first approach**: Comprehensive testing, safety‑critical system design, and focus on public road validation ## Strategic Focus - Achieving commercial launch of the Zoox ride‑hailing service in select U.S. cities - Continuing to mature the autonomous driving system through real‑world testing and simulation - Expanding the “Go‑to‑Market” strategy and building out operations teams (see CRM Lead, Go‑to‑Market Manager roles) [jobs.lever.co/zoox](https://jobs.lever.co/zoox) - Scaling manufacturing and prototyping to prepare for fleet deployment ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Diverse, supportive community with inclusion‑focused strategy. Crew‑led groups for personal and professional development. Emphasis on trust, humility, and openness [zoox.com/careers](https://zoox.com/careers) - **Work environment**: Hybrid? The careers page lists many roles as “On‑site” in Foster City, CA, with other office locations available. In‑office perks include a famous food program with daily changing local and sustainable dishes, plus a busy calendar of events and sports teams. - **Benefits**: Comprehensive health plans (Cigna), mental health support, wellbeing program, flexible time off, generous family planning and caregiver support, and a commitment to work‑life balance. - **Growth opportunities**: Work on cutting‑edge autonomous vehicle technology alongside some of the brightest minds in AI, engineering, computer vision, and more. Offers internships and re‑entry programs (via Path Forward) for career returners. - **Recruitment process**: Uses AI tools to assist in reviewing applications but final decisions are human. No fees are charged at any stage – watch for recruitment scams [zoox.com/journal/landing-a-job-zoox](https://zoox.com/journal/landing-a-job-zoox) ## Sources 1. [Zoox official website](https://zoox.com) 2. [Zoox About page](https://zoox.com/about) 3. [Zoox Careers page](https://zoox.com/careers) 4. [Zoox job openings on Lever](https://jobs.lever.co/zoox) 5. [Zoox hiring and interview process](https://zoox.com/journal/landing-a-job-zoox) ## Other roles at Zoox - [Team Lead, Vehicle Technicians](https://feeny.ai/job/team-lead-vehicle-technicians-zoox-san-francisco-fm78xhnkbtvc) — San Francisco, CA - [Human Resources Generalist](https://feeny.ai/job/human-resources-generalist-zoox-foster-city-94tbpn6kg9b8) — Foster City, CA - [Manufacturing Test Infrastructure Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-test-infrastructure-engineer-zoox-foster-city-eq18925fgss3) — Foster City, CA - [Systems Engineer, Motion Controls Safety](https://feeny.ai/job/systems-engineer-motion-controls-safety-zoox-foster-city-r02y5xhnw15v) — Foster City, CA - [Senior Software Engineer, C++ Vehicle Experience](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-c-vehicle-experience-zoox-foster-city-nvkjvt6wekm9) — Foster City, CA - [Senior/Staff Technical Product Manager, Operational Design Domain (ODD) Tools](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-staff-technical-product-manager-operational-design-domain-odd-tools-zoox-ssjgcn6rpzze) — Foster City, CA - [Head of Contingent Workforce & Travel](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-contingent-workforce-travel-zoox-foster-city-rkcgbt6b81v8) — Foster City, CA - [Mechatronics Engineer - Closures](https://feeny.ai/job/mechatronics-engineer-closures-zoox-foster-city-68m3dz5tmx0t) — Foster City, CA - [Contract Student Worker - Software Engineer (40 hrs/wk)](https://feeny.ai/job/contract-student-worker-software-engineer-40-hrs-wk-zoox-foster-city-3zs433c2yzqp) — Foster City, CA - [Contract Student Worker - Autonomy and Geofence Expansion (20 hrs/wk)](https://feeny.ai/job/contract-student-worker-autonomy-and-geofence-expansion-20-hrs-wk-zoox-foster-gj2hfad4jjx0) — Foster City, CA