Senior Software Engineer, Motion Controls

waymo· ESWE Pose and Motion Control (7SI)
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📍 Mountain View, CA, US

About this role

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 an 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 a hybrid work schedule and reports to Technical Lead & Manager of Motion Control.

You will:

  • Architect, implement, and validate control and estimation algorithms that ensure safe and comfortable movement of the Waymo Driver
  • Engineer mission-critical C++ software on-vehicle to ensure reliable autonomous vehicle control
  • Build tools in Python and C++ to simulate and analyze vehicle performance
  • Extract actionable insights from complex field data and simulations, presenting high-impact findings to diverse, cross-functional stakeholders
  • Drive cross-functional innovation by reviewing motion planning designs, establishing safety requirements, and spearheading rapid prototyping initiatives

You have:

  • A degree in Engineering with a specialized focus on Control or Estimation, or equivalent practical expertise in the field
  • Over 4 years of experience deploying production-grade automotive control algorithms in C++, with a background in autonomous systems or advanced ADAS
  • Deep understanding of vehicle dynamics and control
  • Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

We prefer:

  • Advanced proficiency in Python and/or SQL for data-driven development
  • Direct experience engineering safety-critical systems where reliability is paramount
  • A portfolio of open-source contributions that showcase a commitment to writing elegant, high-quality C++ software
  • Versatility across various control methodologies, including Optimal Control, MPC, Sliding Mode, PID, and Successive Loop Closure

Travel requirements:

  • Less than 2 weeks/year of onsite testing at one of Waymo’s state-of-the-art test facilities to experience your control algorithms first hand

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
$204,000$259,000 USD

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the salary disclosed for the Senior Software Engineer, Motion Controls position at waymo?
The salary for this Senior Software Engineer, Motion Controls role at waymo is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Where is the Senior Software Engineer, Motion Controls position at waymo located?
This Senior Software Engineer, Motion Controls role at waymo is based in Mountain View, CA, US. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Which team or department does the Senior Software Engineer, Motion Controls at waymo belong to?
This Senior Software Engineer, Motion Controls position is part of the ESWE Pose and Motion Control (7SI) department at waymo. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Senior Software Engineer, Motion Controls position at waymo?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to waymo's official application portal hosted on greenhouse where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Senior Software Engineer, Motion Controls job at waymo posted?
This Senior Software Engineer, Motion Controls position at waymo was posted on Feb 11, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Senior Software Engineer, Motion Controls
waymo
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