Software Systems Engineer - Simulation Verification & Validation

Company: Zoox
Location: San Diego
Posted on: February 15, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Simulation is central to ensuring the safety and scalability of autonomous vehicles at Zoox. In this role, you will help ensure our next-generation, GenAI-powered simulator is accurate, trustworthy, and effective at evaluating autonomous driving software in a rich virtual world, with dynamic agents and realistic sensor data. You’ll collaborate with autonomy, safety, and simulation teams to assess how well the simulator predicts real-world on-road performance, then drive improvements through a mix of exploratory data analysis, metrics and validation design, and coding robust pipelines at scale. Your work will directly support Zoox’s ability to safely scale autonomous driving across increasingly complex environments. In this role, you will: Design and implement metrics to measure and reliably monitor the accuracy and fidelity of simulated sensors, agents, and virtual environments. Develop simulator validation strategies, including data mining and dataset selection. Conduct data-driven analyses at both granular and large scale to identify root causes of simulation inaccuracies by comparing simulation outputs to real-world data, and translate those insights into production-quality validation pipelines. Write design proposals and drive execution while proactively communicating risks to partner teams. Build alignment and consensus on simulation validation criteria with Autonomy, Safety, and Simulation teams. Qualifications: 5 years of experience in autonomous robotics, sensor processing (lidar, camera, radar), or analyzing complex systems. Proficiency in Python and data analysis (e.g., Pandas, NumPy, SQL), with a solid foundation in data visualization and basic statistical methods (e.g., histograms, probability distributions, simple hypothesis testing). Strong critical and analytical thinking, including interpreting complex data to identify impactful insights or root causes. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear engineering design documents and collaborate effectively across teams. BS, MS, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or related field. Bonus Qualifications: Experience with one or more components of Autonomous Vehicle software stack (e.g., Perception, Prediction, Planning) or simulated testing modalities (closed-loop, open-loop, etc.) Experience with systems engineering, system requirements, or testing of complex systems. Experience applying statistical methods to system validation (e.g., confidence intervals, p-values, power analysis) 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 candidate's 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. About Zoox Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team. Follow us on LinkedIn Accommodations If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to accommodations@zoox.com or your assigned recruiter. A Final Note: You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. 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.

Keywords: Zoox, Temecula , Software Systems Engineer - Simulation Verification & Validation, Engineering , San Diego, California