Engineering & Hardware Category ManagerPosted today$31K

The opportunity

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver—The World's Most Experienced Driver™—to improve access to…

What you'll do

  • 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.

What they're looking for

  • + 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.