Senior Data Scientist
Wayve · Sunnyvale, California
Before the detail, here's the challenge you'd help us solve.
We build the embodied intelligence that moves real vehicles safely, and the ecosystem a billion machines will run on in the future. Very few people in AI can say this. Every role here, whatever the team, plugs into that.
Here’s what this particular role covers.
THE ROLE
As part of our mission to scale end-to-end embodied AI for autonomous driving, we are building a world-class Data Management team focused on unlocking high-quality, targeted data acquisition that drives model performance and predictability. We are looking for a highly analytical and systems-minded ODD & Behavioral Competency Analyst to lead the analysis of Operational Design Domains (ODDs), traffic patterns, and regulatory behaviors across our target markets.
This role will be critical in defining what data is needed, where, and how much, in order to build models with high Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and generalization capabilities across varied geographies.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- ODD Characterization:
- Analyze and define the operational design domain (ODD) for each target market or region, including geography, infrastructure, weather, road types, traffic density, and local driving behaviors.
- Identify ODD boundaries, edge conditions, and failure triggers to inform data collection and system design.
- Behavioral Competency Mapping:
- Build and maintain a taxonomy of behavioral competencies (e.g., merging, yielding, unprotected turns, interacting with pedestrians) required to safely operate in each ODD.
- Quantify the complexity and frequency of each competency based on local traffic data, regulations, and real-world observations.
- ODD Permutation & Scaling Framework:
- Develop a framework to compute and prioritize permutations of ODD parameters and behavioral competencies to optimize data collection, scenario coverage, and scaling efficiency.
- Recommend minimal data slices needed to support safe and predictable system performance in a new region.
- Current model behavioural Pattern Analysis:
- Analyze current model kpi patterns, and common driving behaviors, assess differences in required system behavior and edge case risks.
- Collaborate with safety and product on findings and proposals for behavioural improvement.
- Cross-functional Collaboration:
- Work closely with data engineering, safety, simulation, product, and deployment teams to turn ODD and competency insights into actionable data strategies and deployment plans.
- Provide input to scenario library development, synthetic data generation, and test case prioritization.
- Predictability & MTBF Guidance:
- Use historical data and statistical models to identify data gaps or high-variance behaviors that impact MTBF performance.
- Provide guidance on what additional data is needed to reach MTBF targets in each ODD segment.
ABOUT YOU
Essential
- 7+ years experience in systems engineering, automotive data analysis, data science, or a related field.
- Experience analyzing or defining ODDs in the context of AV/ADAS technologies is a strong plus.
- Familiarity with traffic regulations and human driving behaviors across multiple geographies.
- Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Python, SQL, GIS, Jupyter accessing large pools of data from frameworks like DataBricks) and ability to visualize ODD and scenario coverage metrics.
- Ability to work cross-functionally and translate domain analysis into technical and product requirements.
- Experience working in an agile, fast-scaling environment with a strong execution mindset.
Desirable:
MS or PhD in Physics, Statistics or Mathematics with specialism in traffic system modeling, autonomous driving deployment, or urban mobility analysis.
This role is a full-time role based in Sunnyvale, CA (hybrid) and the reasonably estimated salary for this role ranges from $209,700 to $298,200, plus a competitive equity package. Actual compensation is based on the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. At Wayve we want the best of all worlds so we operate a hybrid working policy that combines time together in our offices and workshops to fuel innovation, culture, relationships and learning, and time spent working from home.
A quick, honest note before you apply.
Wayve is not a mature, fully-structured place with the playbook already written. Much of how we work is still being written, and if you join, you’ll help write it. That suits people who want real ownership more than people who need a settled structure from day one.
If that sounds like the kind of problem you want to spend your time on, we’d really like to hear from you.