Principal Software Engineer - Autonomy Behaviors
Zoox
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Foster City, CA
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Not Applicable
Posted April 4, 2026
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Responsibilities
Commitments
Responsibilities
- Your role will look at problems in a way that crosses team boundaries to prototype new approaches that influence the long term technical direction of multiple organizations within the company.
- Set the technical direction of ML development for the future of our Planner
- Push the frontiers of imitation learning, reinforcement learning, and model scaling to develop new ML models for our onboard Planner
- Identify and drive force-multipliers for ML development, including metrics, data, and training frameworks
- Develop new methods to leverage Zoox’s Foundation Models into the ML Planner
- Provide technical mentorship to the broader group of ML developers at Zoox
- Collaborate with engineers across Autonomy Software, Simulation, System Design and Mission Assurance, and other departments to solve the overall Autonomous Driving problem in complex urban environments
Commitments
Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance.
Accommodations
If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to [email protected] or your assigned recruiter.
Not Met Priorities
What still needs stronger evidence
Requirements
- Proven track record of technical leadership in large-scale AI organizations
- Significant experience with training and deploying Deep Learning models to production
- Fluency in C++ or Fluency in Python with a basic understanding of C++
- Extensive experience with programming and algorithm design-Strong mathematics skills-10+ years of experience
Preferred Skills
- Conference or Journal publications in Machine Learning or Robotics related venues
- Prior experience with Prediction and Planning for autonomous vehicles
Education
- (Not required) – BS, MS, or PhD degree in computer science or related field
- (Not required) – Fluency in C++ or Fluency in Python with a basic understanding of C++
The Autonomy Behaviors team is responsible for producing our vehicle’s driving trajectory. As a Principal ML Engineer, you will lead the technical development of machine learning algorithms for our next-generation ML Planner. Your impact will range from delivering innovations for immediate milestones to pioneering exploratory projects. You will collaborate closely with teams specializing in Foundation Models, Perception, Simulation, and Safety Validation, in influencing our autonomy stack. Your role will look at problems in a way that crosses team boundaries to prototype new approaches that influence the long term technical direction of multiple organizations within the company.
In This Role, You Will
Set the technical direction of ML development for the future of our Planner
Push the frontiers of imitation learning, reinforcement learning, and model scaling to develop new ML models for our onboard Planner
Identify and drive force-multipliers for ML development, including metrics, data, and training frameworks
Develop new methods to leverage Zoox’s Foundation Models into the ML Planner
Provide technical mentorship to the broader group of ML developers at Zoox
Collaborate with engineers across Autonomy Software, Simulation, System Design and Mission Assurance, and other departments to solve the overall Autonomous Driving problem in complex urban environments
Qualifications
BS, MS, or PhD degree in computer science or related field
Proven track record of technical leadership in large-scale AI organizations
Significant experience with training and deploying Deep Learning models to production
Fluency in C++ or Fluency in Python with a basic understanding of C++
Extensive experience with programming and algorithm design-Strong mathematics skills-10+ years of experience
Bonus Qualifications
Conference or Journal publications in Machine Learning or Robotics related venues
Prior experience with Prediction and Planning for autonomous vehicles
$375,000 - $475,000 a year
Base Salary Range
There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.
Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.
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 [email protected] 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.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
In This Role, You Will
Set the technical direction of ML development for the future of our Planner
Push the frontiers of imitation learning, reinforcement learning, and model scaling to develop new ML models for our onboard Planner
Identify and drive force-multipliers for ML development, including metrics, data, and training frameworks
Develop new methods to leverage Zoox’s Foundation Models into the ML Planner
Provide technical mentorship to the broader group of ML developers at Zoox
Collaborate with engineers across Autonomy Software, Simulation, System Design and Mission Assurance, and other departments to solve the overall Autonomous Driving problem in complex urban environments
Qualifications
BS, MS, or PhD degree in computer science or related field
Proven track record of technical leadership in large-scale AI organizations
Significant experience with training and deploying Deep Learning models to production
Fluency in C++ or Fluency in Python with a basic understanding of C++
Extensive experience with programming and algorithm design-Strong mathematics skills-10+ years of experience
Bonus Qualifications
Conference or Journal publications in Machine Learning or Robotics related venues
Prior experience with Prediction and Planning for autonomous vehicles
$375,000 - $475,000 a year
Base Salary Range
There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.
Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.
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 [email protected] 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.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.