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Senior Staff Principal Software Engineer Freeway Autonomy

Zoox


Job Location:

Foster, CA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 340000 - 493000
Posted: 2 September 2026 (6 hours ago)
Application Deadline: 30 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Zoox is on an ambitious journey to develop a full-stack autonomous robotaxi solution and freeways are the next frontier. We are looking for a Senior Staff or Principal Software Engineer who has played a significant role in removing the driver from an autonomous vehicle operating on freeways and who can help Zoox navigate that same journey. You will bring deep technical expertise in a relevant autonomy domain the specific domain is flexible along with the hard-won judgment that comes from having taken a freeway driving program from supervised operation to driverless. This is a highly visible role with broad influence across the Autonomy organization.

In this role you will:
  • Guide autonomy-wide initiatives toward driverless freeway operation including setting the technical vision and strategy building the roadmap and driving cross-functional execution

  • Identify the highest-risk gaps between our current freeway capabilities and driver-out readiness and lead the engineering work to close them

  • Develop algorithms that enable freeway driving capabilities spanning architecture design implementation integration testing and verification and validation

  • Communicate technical trade-offs risk assessments and readiness recommendations to diverse stakeholders including senior and executive leadership

  • Mentor engineers across the freeway program and raise the bar for how we design test and validate high-speed autonomous driving

Qualifications:
  • 10 years of industry software experience

  • Demonstrated technical leadership of removing the human driver from an autonomous vehicle operating on freeways or highways

  • Deep technical expertise in at least one autonomy domain such as behavior/motion planning perception prediction simulation or systems engineering

  • Proven ability to lead large cross-functional engineering efforts from ambiguity to shipped results

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical trade-offs for varied audiences including executives

Bonus Qualifications:
  • Experience scaling and operating a driverless service after driver removal

  • Experience constructing safety cases or defining driver-out readiness criteria for high-speed autonomous driving

  • Proficiency in C

$340000 - $493000 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 candidates 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.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process such as reviewing applications analyzing resumes or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. 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.

Required Experience:

Staff IC


About Company

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We’re reinventing personal transportation—making the future safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable for everyone. This is on-demand autonomous ride-hailing.

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