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Engineering & Hardware Category Manager

Waymo· Finance, Business Systems, and Global Places & Services
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Hybrid (Remote United States)$159k - $196kFull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Senior leadership procurement role focused on Enterprise Outsourcing & Services, leading the Waymo PVEO vertical to scale engineering, hardware, and related capabilities through external partnerships.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive procurement strategy for Engineering Services and R&D Hardware, balancing cost optimization with speed-to-market for prototypes and technical development.
  • Proactively manage a high-volume pipeline of outsourced engineering workforce contracts; lead negotiations for mission-critical engineering design firms to secure favorable long-term commercial and IP terms.
  • Structure and negotiate complex Statements of Work (SOWs) and Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) agreements for hardware development to ensure successful project delivery and ROI.
  • Optimize Joint Design Manufacturing (JDM) and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) relationships for R&D components, ensuring competitive pricing and seamless fulfillment logistics for hardware iterations.
  • Act as the trusted advisor to Engineering and Hardware leadership; lead complex "make vs. buy" analyses and influence technical requirements to drive commercial value and mitigate supply chain risk.
  • Partner with Legal (IP/Security) to ensure all engineering services and hardware agreements meet Waymo’s rigorous intellectual property protection and cybersecurity standards.

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of strategic procurement experience, with at least 4+ years dedicated to Engineering Services, R&D, or Hardware sourcing.
  • Deep expertise in outsourced engineering models (managed services, staff augmentation, fixed-bid) and experience negotiating with Tier 1 engineering service providers.
  • Proven ability to draft and negotiate complex commercial contracts, including MSAs, NREs, JDM/ODM agreements, and highly technical Professional Services SOWs.
  • Experience managing R&D hardware lifecycles (EVT, DVT, PVT) and negotiating with custom component manufacturers and prototyping houses.
  • Strong financial acumen with the ability to present TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) analysis to Finance and Hardware Engineering leadership.
  • Ability to operate in a high-velocity environment, managing multiple concurrent high-priority sourcing events for unreleased technologies.

Skills

Required:Strategic procurementContract negotiation (MSA, SOW, NRE)Vendor managementFinancial analysis (TCO)

Benefits

  • Waymo’s discretionary annual bonus program
  • Equity incentive plan
  • Generous Company benefits program
  • Top-notch medical, dental and vision insurance
  • Mental wellness support
  • Gym membership
  • Education reimbursement
  • Personal and professional development opportunities
  • Employee Resource Groups and volunteering opportunities
Last updated Oct 22, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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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.

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