Senior/Staff Systems Engineer - Autonomy System Performance at Zoox

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior/Staff Systems Engineer - Autonomy System Performance
Company: Zoox
Location: Foster City, California, United States
Job Type: On-site, Full-time
Category: Systems Engineering, Automotive, Autonomous Vehicles
Date Posted: June 30, 2025

🚀 Role Summary

Define, develop, and refine metrics to measure the robotaxi's ability to safely complete customers' journeys.
Quantify the readiness and maturity of the autonomous driving system against defined progress metrics.
Model the performance impact of autonomy behavior and residual operational risks.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate complex metric concepts to diverse stakeholders.
Ensure end-to-end traceability of metrics to strategic goals and system performance targets.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in systems engineering, data analysis, and performance tracking to drive progress in autonomous driving technology. The ideal candidate will have experience in defining, implementing, and managing quantitative metrics and data pipelines for complex systems.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Metric Development: Lead the definition, development, and evolution of progress metrics to measure the robotaxi's performance and safety.
Data Analysis: Perform in-depth system analysis to derive comprehensive verification and validation (V&V) strategies for progress metrics.
Modeling: Model the performance impact of autonomy behavior and residual operational risks using quantitative analysis tools and Python.
Stakeholder Communication: Communicate complex metric concepts, model outcomes, and actionable insights to diverse stakeholders and executives.
Traceability: Ensure end-to-end traceability of metrics to strategic goals and system performance targets, enabling continuous feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a deep understanding of complex software systems, preferably in robotics, autonomous driving, or aerospace. The candidate should be proficient in using quantitative analysis/modeling tools and able to interface with large-scale driving and simulation data sources using Python.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: M.S. or higher degree in an Engineering or Computer Science discipline

Experience: At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in systems engineering, data analysis, performance tracking, or risk quantification for complex systems.

Required Skills:

Proficiency in quantitative analysis/modeling tools
Strong understanding of complex software systems
Ability to use Python to interface with large-scale driving and simulation data sources
Strong written and in-person communication skills
Collaborative team player with the ability to influence and drive consensus

Preferred Skills:

Metrics ownership experience in autonomous driving or robotics
Experience with other safety-critical systems
Experience with risk assessment or system analysis methodologies
Experience building out a large-scale process from conception to implementation

📝 Enhancement Note: Bonus qualifications include experience with other safety-critical systems, risk assessment methodologies, and building out large-scale processes. These skills would be highly valuable in this role but are not strictly required.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements (N/A for this role)

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $201,000 - $278,000 a year (Base Salary Range)

Benefits:

Paid Time Off (e.g., sick leave, vacation, bereavement)
Health Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights
Amazon RSUs

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Autonomous Vehicles, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence

Company Size: Zoox is a well-funded, rapidly growing startup with a significant focus on autonomous driving technology and robotaxi services.

Founded: 2014 (Zoox was acquired by Amazon in 2020)

Team Structure:

The Systems Engineering team at Zoox works closely with various cross-functional teams, including Autonomous Driving, Robotics, and Software Engineering.
The team is responsible for defining, developing, and refining metrics to measure the performance and safety of the robotaxi system.

Development Methodology:

Zoox uses Agile methodologies for software development, with a focus on continuous integration, testing, and deployment.
The company emphasizes data-driven decision-making and relies on quantitative analysis to inform system performance and launch decisions.

Company Website: Zoox

📝 Enhancement Note: Zoox's unique focus on autonomous driving technology and robotaxi services requires a strong background in systems engineering, data analysis, and performance tracking. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and collaborating with diverse teams to drive progress in autonomous driving technology.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior/Staff Systems Engineer - This role is focused on defining, developing, and refining metrics to measure the performance and safety of the robotaxi system. The ideal candidate will have at least 7 years of relevant professional experience in systems engineering, data analysis, performance tracking, or risk quantification for complex systems.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Manager of Systems Engineering or a similar position within the organization. The candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams, including Autonomous Driving, Robotics, and Software Engineering.

Technical Impact: The candidate will have a significant impact on the successful deployment of Level 5 autonomous driving technology by identifying and quantifying events that impact the robotaxi's ability to safely complete riders' journeys. Their work will inform key launch decisions and ensure the safe operation of the robotaxi service.

Growth Opportunities:

As Zoox continues to grow and expand its autonomous driving technology and robotaxi services, there will be opportunities for the candidate to take on more significant responsibilities and advance their career within the Systems Engineering team.
The candidate may have the opportunity to mentor junior team members, lead projects, or take on a more strategic role within the organization as the company continues to grow and evolve.

📝 Enhancement Note: Zoox's focus on autonomous driving technology and robotaxi services presents unique growth opportunities for the right candidate. As the company continues to expand and refine its offerings, there will be ample opportunities for the candidate to take on more significant responsibilities and advance their career within the Systems Engineering team.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Zoox's Foster City, California office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity in autonomous driving technology and robotaxi services.

Office Location(s): Foster City, California, United States

Workspace Context:

The Systems Engineering team at Zoox works in an open, collaborative environment with access to the latest tools and technologies required to define, develop, and refine metrics for the robotaxi system.
The team works closely with various cross-functional teams, including Autonomous Driving, Robotics, and Software Engineering, to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the robotaxi service.
Zoox's Foster City office offers multiple monitors, testing devices, and comfortable workspaces designed to support the team's needs.

Work Schedule: Zoox offers a flexible work schedule with a focus on results and performance. The candidate can expect to work a standard 40-hour workweek with some flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Zoox's Foster City, California office is designed to support the needs of the Systems Engineering team and foster collaboration with various cross-functional teams. The candidate can expect to work in a modern, comfortable workspace with access to the latest tools and technologies required to define, develop, and refine metrics for the robotaxi system.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Screening Call: A brief call with a member of the Systems Engineering team to discuss the candidate's qualifications and experience.
Technical Deep Dive: A detailed conversation with the hiring manager or a senior team member to discuss the candidate's technical skills, experience, and approach to systems engineering, data analysis, and performance tracking.
Behavioral Interview: A conversation with a member of the People team to discuss the candidate's problem-solving skills, communication style, and cultural fit within the organization.
Final Interview: A meeting with the Manager of Systems Engineering or a similar position within the organization to discuss the candidate's qualifications, experience, and fit within the team.

Portfolio Review Tips: (N/A for this role)

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on systems engineering, data analysis, and performance tracking concepts and techniques.
Familiarize yourself with quantitative analysis/modeling tools and Python.
Prepare for questions related to complex software systems, robotics, autonomous driving, and aerospace.

ATS Keywords:

Systems Engineering
Data Analysis
Performance Tracking
Risk Quantification
Quantitative Metrics
Data Pipelines
Python
Complex Software Systems
Robotics
Autonomous Driving
Aerospace
Communication Skills
Collaboration
Verification and Validation
Modeling
Stakeholder Engagement

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role will focus on the candidate's technical skills, experience, and approach to systems engineering, data analysis, and performance tracking. The candidate should be prepared to discuss their qualifications and experience in detail and demonstrate their ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to drive progress in autonomous driving technology.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure (N/A for this role)

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Zoox values innovation, collaboration, and a strong focus on safety and reliability in autonomous driving technology and robotaxi services.
The company emphasizes data-driven decision-making, continuous learning, and a commitment to improving the user experience.

Collaboration Style:

Zoox fosters a collaborative work environment with a focus on cross-functional teamwork and open communication.
The company encourages knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and continuous learning to drive progress in autonomous driving technology and robotaxi services.

📝 Enhancement Note: Zoox's focus on innovation, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making creates a unique work environment for the Systems Engineering team. The candidate can expect to work in a dynamic, collaborative environment with a strong focus on safety, reliability, and continuous learning.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Developing robust methodologies for quantifying the readiness and maturity of the autonomous driving system against defined progress metrics.
Modeling the performance impact of autonomy behavior and residual operational risks.
Performing in-depth system analysis to derive comprehensive verification and validation (V&V) strategies for progress metrics.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Zoox offers opportunities for professional growth and development, including conference attendance, certification, and community involvement.
The company encourages continuous learning and provides opportunities for technical mentorship and leadership development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Zoox's focus on autonomous driving technology and robotaxi services presents unique technical challenges and growth opportunities for the right candidate. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and collaborating with diverse teams to drive progress in autonomous driving technology.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

System Analysis: Prepare for questions related to system analysis techniques, verification and validation strategies, and data-driven decision-making.
Data Analysis: Brush up on your data analysis skills, including statistical methods, data visualization, and predictive modeling.
Python: Familiarize yourself with Python libraries and tools relevant to systems engineering, data analysis, and performance tracking.

Company & Culture Questions:

Research Zoox's focus on autonomous driving technology and robotaxi services, and be prepared to discuss how your experience and skills align with the company's mission and values.
Prepare for questions related to your approach to collaboration, communication, and problem-solving in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy: (N/A for this role)

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role will focus on the candidate's technical skills, experience, and approach to systems engineering, data analysis, and performance tracking. The candidate should be prepared to discuss their qualifications and experience in detail and demonstrate their ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to drive progress in autonomous driving technology.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior/Staff Systems Engineer - Autonomy System Performance position at Zoox:

Submit your application through the application link provided.
Research Zoox's focus on autonomous driving technology and robotaxi services, and tailor your application and interview preparation accordingly.
Prepare for technical questions related to systems engineering, data analysis, and performance tracking, as well as company and culture questions.
Brush up on your Python skills and familiarize yourself with relevant libraries and tools.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and systems engineering industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Senior/Staff Systems Engineer - Autonomy System Performance