Mapping Operations Senior Program Manager at Waymo

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 mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo’s fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states. The Mapping Operations team is responsible for building, validating, and continuously improving the high-definition maps that power Waymo’s autonomous driving system. The team ensures that the vehicle has an accurate, up-to-date understanding of the world by transforming raw sensor data into reliable, production-ready map assets. MapOps sits at the intersection of autonomous driving, data operations, and quality assurance, partnering closely with Engineering, ML, and Product teams to support safe, scalable deployment across new and existing markets. We are seeking a Mapping Policy Senior Program Manager to join our team. In this capacity, you will be instrumental in defining scalable, robust processes for defining mapping policy as we rapidly expand to new markets. You will collaborate cross-functionally across engineering, operations, product, and legal teams to ensure HD maps remain aligned with state and international regulatory requirements, while also reflecting the evolving technical needs of the Waymo Driver. This isn't just about documentation; it’s about enabling global expansion by creating a robust policy engine. If you are a strategic leader who thrives on turning ambiguity into scalable, world-class documentation and processes, we want you at the helm!! You will: • Translate complex mapping regulatory and policy requirements into detailed technical mapping specifications. • Direct the comprehensive lifecycle of new mapping policy initiatives and modifications, encompassing initial scoping, strategic planning, implementation, and formal launch. • Establish a rigorous decision-making framework to facilitate alignment on policy inquiries, including the definition of a clear Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed (RACI) matrix for all decision classifications. • Cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships with legal, public policy, and corporate business units to ensure alignment and proactively mitigate regulatory risks as they relate to mapping. • Spearhead the optimization of policy management methodologies and associated toolsets to enhance operational efficiency and organizational impact. • Synthesize and deliver status reports, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations to senior leads. You have: • 7-10 years of experience (3+ leading teams) in program management, with a focus on regulatory or policy-related initiatives in the tech industry. • Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional programs with a strong understanding of product development lifecycles. • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus among diverse stakeholders. • Proven experience working effectively with legal, public policy, engineering and operations teams. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making. • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Law, Public Policy, Engineering) or equivalent practical experience. We prefer: • Experience with road rules regulations and/or mapping policies. • Advanced degree (e.g., J.D., MBA, Master's in Public Policy). • Technical background or a strong understanding of product development. • Experience engaging with external regulators, government officials, or industry trade groups. The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process. Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo’s discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements. Salary Range$190,000—$241,000 USD