Backend Engineer Jobs at Waymo with Visa Sponsorship
Waymo's Backend Engineer roles sit at the intersection of distributed systems, real-time data pipelines, and autonomous vehicle infrastructure. Waymo has a strong track record of sponsoring work visas for engineering talent, supporting H-1B, E-3, and Green Card pathways for qualified backend candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
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.
Software Engineering in the Hardware organization is where software meets the physical world. You will work on critical systems that manage autonomous vehicle functions, with teams such as Sensing, Vehicle Integration, Positioning, Motion Control, Fault Management, Onboard Automation and Embedded Simulation. We are looking for strong generalist software engineers to work across a wide array of domains, including embedded, controls, sensor processing, manufacturing calibration, simulation, data analysis, and also building higher-level state machines, interfaces and flows for fault management and automation.
You will have a direct & material impact on the ability of Waymo to scale to more vehicles and cities.
This role follows a hybrid work schedule and you will report to a Software Engineer.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You will:
- Develop high-quality vertically-integrated C++ software systems (on-vehicle and off-vehicle software) to manage autonomous vehicle functions.
- Analyze field data (logs) and simulation results.
- Participate in cross-functional workflows (e.g., requirement reviews, project planning).
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
You have:
- Degree (BS, MS) in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or similar or equivalent practical experience.
- At least 2+ years of professional experience developing production software in modern C++ (i.e., C++17, C++20, etc.)
- This role is specifically for C++ and not for C/C++.
- Experience in at least one of: real-time / embedded systems or complex / distributed systems.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
We prefer:
- Experience developing for and troubleshooting complex / distributed systems (e.g., vehicle gateway, backend software).
- In-depth understanding of microcontroller-based Embedded Systems and associated development and debugging tools.
- Working experience with safety critical systems / functional safety.
- Open source projects that demonstrate dedication to crafting high quality C++ software.
COMPENSATION
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.
- Salary Range: $170,000—$216,000 USD
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.
LOCATION
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
JOB TYPE
FULL-TIME
DEPARTMENT
HARDWARE ENGINEERING
INTRODUCTION
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.
Software Engineering in the Hardware organization is where software meets the physical world. You will work on critical systems that manage autonomous vehicle functions, with teams such as Sensing, Vehicle Integration, Positioning, Motion Control, Fault Management, Onboard Automation and Embedded Simulation. We are looking for strong generalist software engineers to work across a wide array of domains, including embedded, controls, sensor processing, manufacturing calibration, simulation, data analysis, and also building higher-level state machines, interfaces and flows for fault management and automation.
You will have a direct & material impact on the ability of Waymo to scale to more vehicles and cities.
This role follows a hybrid work schedule and you will report to a Software Engineer.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You will:
- Develop high-quality vertically-integrated C++ software systems (on-vehicle and off-vehicle software) to manage autonomous vehicle functions.
- Analyze field data (logs) and simulation results.
- Participate in cross-functional workflows (e.g., requirement reviews, project planning).
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
You have:
- Degree (BS, MS) in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or similar or equivalent practical experience.
- At least 2+ years of professional experience developing production software in modern C++ (i.e., C++17, C++20, etc.)
- This role is specifically for C++ and not for C/C++.
- Experience in at least one of: real-time / embedded systems or complex / distributed systems.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
We prefer:
- Experience developing for and troubleshooting complex / distributed systems (e.g., vehicle gateway, backend software).
- In-depth understanding of microcontroller-based Embedded Systems and associated development and debugging tools.
- Working experience with safety critical systems / functional safety.
- Open source projects that demonstrate dedication to crafting high quality C++ software.
COMPENSATION
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.
- Salary Range: $170,000—$216,000 USD
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.
LOCATION
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
JOB TYPE
FULL-TIME
DEPARTMENT
HARDWARE ENGINEERING
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Backend Engineer Jobs at Waymo Jobs
Tailor your resume to Waymo's stack
Waymo's backend roles frequently call for experience in large-scale distributed systems, C++ or Go, and real-time data infrastructure. Align your resume to these specifics before applying, not after, so your profile clears automated screening.
Target roles with active LCA filings
Before your interview process begins, search DOL's OFLC disclosure data for Waymo LCA filings under your target job title. This confirms which Backend Engineer specializations Waymo actively sponsors and at which office locations.
Clarify sponsorship intent before the offer stage
Raise your visa status during the recruiter screen, not after an offer is extended. Waymo's recruiting team handles sponsorship decisions early, and surfacing it late can stall or derail an otherwise clean offer process.
Prepare for USCIS specialty occupation scrutiny
USCIS increasingly issues Requests for Evidence on software engineering H-1B petitions. Gather degree transcripts, a detailed job duties letter from Waymo, and evidence that your role requires a specific technical degree, not just any bachelor's.
Browse Waymo Backend Engineer openings on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Backend Engineer jobs at Waymo by visa type, so you only see roles actively open to your sponsorship situation. This saves time and surfaces openings that general job boards don't flag by visa category.
Backend Engineer at Waymo jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Backend Engineer at Waymo JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does Waymo sponsor H-1B visas for Backend Engineers?
Yes, Waymo sponsors H-1B visas for Backend Engineer roles. As a large technology employer in the autonomous vehicle space, Waymo regularly files H-1B petitions for engineering positions. If you're subject to the H-1B cap, your petition would enter the annual lottery. Waymo also sponsors H-1B1 and E-3 visas, which bypass the lottery entirely for eligible nationals.
How do I apply for Backend Engineer jobs at Waymo?
Apply directly through Waymo's careers portal or browse current Backend Engineer openings filtered by visa sponsorship on Migrate Mate. Waymo's engineering hiring process typically includes a recruiter screen, technical phone interviews covering systems design and coding, and a virtual or onsite loop. Flagging your visa status early in the recruiter screen avoids complications later in the process.
Which visa types does Waymo commonly use for Backend Engineer roles?
Waymo sponsors H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, and EB-2 or EB-3 Green Card pathways for Backend Engineers. H-1B is the most common nonimmigrant route for this role. Australian citizens can use the E-3, and Chilean or Singaporean nationals may qualify for H-1B1, both of which avoid the H-1B lottery. Green Card sponsorship typically begins after you're established in the role.
What qualifications does Waymo expect for Backend Engineer roles?
Waymo's Backend Engineer positions generally require a bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a closely related field. Hands-on experience with distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and high-throughput data pipelines is consistently emphasized. For H-1B purposes, USCIS requires the role to qualify as a specialty occupation, so your degree field should directly align with the technical responsibilities of the position.
How long does it take to get a work visa sponsored by Waymo?
Timeline depends on the visa type. H-1B petitions filed in April have an October 1 start date if selected in the lottery, though premium processing can confirm approval within 15 business days. E-3 consular processing in Australia typically runs two to four weeks from interview to visa issuance. Green Card timelines through PERM labor certification are longer and vary significantly based on your priority date and country of birth.
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