Automotive Testing Lead, Japan

Waymo's Systems Engineering team works together to blend software and hardware systems in groundbreaking new ways. We set the high performance standards that ensure our vehicles run smoothly and keep passengers safe, then design and perform the tests that validate that performance. We're looking for talented teammates who’ll help us maintain strong teamwork and are passionate about driving results.

This role follows a hybrid work schedule and reports to Systems Test Engineering Lead.

You will:

• Act as Waymo's test engineering representative across a number of technical domains, helping partners develop test strategies for requirements, detailed test plans, scripts, and clear judgement criteria.
• Guide partners in the transition from manual testing methodologies to automated, data-driven approaches, partnering with internal infrastructure teams to build solutions that accelerate the test-to-reporting feedback loop.
• Spearhead cross-functional collaboration between Waymo and OEM stakeholders, identifying operational gaps, mentoring partner engineers, and building their expertise in complex, cross-system validation.
• Define, execute, and manage early vehicle smoke test campaigns, establishing strict entry/exit criteria to validate "SDS-Ready" software releases before upstream integration.
• Scale and lead in-territory vehicle-level testing operations, actively managing daily physical test execution alongside embedded vendor teams.
• Ensure strict traceability and logging standards are met across all external test executions to guarantee seamless integration into Waymo’s central data repositories.

You have:

• Professional fluency in Japanese (N1 level or equivalent)
• Experience with physical hands-on testing of vehicles (ADAS, vehicle dynamics, low-voltage systems, system integration)
• Strong background in systems engineering, test engineering, or automotive validation
• Demonstrated leadership experience with a track record of coordinating with and leading vendor teams
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive technical consensus across different organizational cultures

We prefer:

• Experience managing external partners or suppliers in a technical capacity
• Experience with requirements management tools (e.g., Jama, DOORS) and issue tracking (e.g., Jira)
• Strong knowledge of Systems Engineering principles and experience developing verification coverage plans from system level requirements
• Proficiency in Python or SQL for test automation

Travel requirements:

• Willingness to travel to Japan up to 50% of the time