← All roles

Hardware Engineer, LIDAR Performance Validation

Waymo· Hardware Engineering
Apply on company site
Mountain View, California$159k - $196kFull-timePosted 6mo ago

About the role

Hardware Engineer role focused on developing, validating, and optimizing high-performance LiDAR systems and subsystems, with emphasis on physics-based modeling, bench characterization, field measurements, and cross-functional collaboration within Waymo's LiDAR team.

Responsibilities

  • Work closely with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing and reliability engineers to develop and characterize high performance LiDAR systems and electro-optical subsystems
  • Develop bench characterization methods and accompanying physics-based software models to ensure the design is on track to achieve top level performance goals. Develop and maintain performance validation plans that scale appropriately with the design lifecycle from early bench prototypes to high volume production
  • Support definition of appropriate test and calibration procedures to ensure LiDAR data quality at scale. Work with design and test engineers to develop appropriate testing procedures and performance acceptance criteria.
  • Design and oversee execution of LiDAR field measurements and structured tests. Assess impact of environmental conditions on Lidar performance, help develop methods to detect and mitigate data quality impact of adverse environmental factors through experimental design, data mining and analysis
  • Interface with LiDAR software engineers, perception software engineers and systems engineers to help triage field issues related to LiDAR data quality, and aid in requirement derivation to ensure the LiDAR module upholds system-level performance and safety goals
  • Comfortably transition between physics modeling, simulation, large-scale data analysis and hands-on prototyping & testing in the lab

Qualifications

  • Masters of science with 5+ years experience or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics or equivalent
  • Strong knowledge of depth sensing technologies and hands on experience prototyping/characterizing precision optical, electrical, or mechanical components and assemblies
  • Experience with developing and maintaining physics-based computational models to describe and quantify performance bounds of LiDAR or other optical sensing hardware
  • Track record of innovation and solving challenging technical problems
  • Excellent data analysis, presentation and technical communication skills

Skills

Required:LiDAR performance validationPhysics-based modelingData analysis
Nice to have:Python/C++

Benefits

  • Waymo employees are eligible to participate in Waymo’s discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.
Last updated Oct 22, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
Waymo logo

About Waymo

The World’s Most Experienced Driver

Waymo—formerly the Google self-driving car project—makes it safe and easy for people & things to get around with autonomous vehicles.

Autonomous DrivingAutonomous VehiclesMobilityRide-Hailliquid-ai-recruiting-target
Company profileWebsite

More open roles at Waymo