Data Science Intern (2027 Summer, PhD)

• The Data Science team works on a wide variety of evaluation and modeling problems, including safety evaluation, the simulation technology, driving quality and rider experience
• This role works with a variety of teams across the company to inject data science rigor and perspective, and to influence development direction in many of the critical systems in self-driving technology and fleet operations
• As a Data Science intern, you may join one of these Data Science Subteams:
• World Model Eval
• Safety Eval Tech
• Data Science Safety
• Driving Quality Data Science
• Simulation Data Science
• Waymo interns partner with leaders in the industry on projects that create impact to the company. We believe learning is a two-way street: applying your knowledge while providing you with opportunities to expand your skill-set. Interns are an important part of our culture and our recruiting pipeline. Join us at Waymo for a fun and rewarding internship!
• Analyze large-scale on-road and simulation data to build metrics, statistical models, and predictive features that quantify the Waymo Driver’s safety and driving quality performance
• Develop and validate statistical / ML methodology — estimation, uncertainty quantification, sampling, and extrapolation — to use or evaluate large-scale foundation models and draw reliable conclusions about rare and critical events from limited data
• Build tools and pipelines that turn one-off analyses into repeatable workflows, partnering with engineering teams to automate data exploration, triage, and reporting
• This will be a hybrid onsite internship position

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health
• Personalized workplace adjustments for diverse needs and abilities, including physical, mental, and neurodivergent considerations
• Access to mental health apps
• Onsite wellness centers
• Counseling services
• Second medical opinion for you and your loved ones
• Medical advocacy program for transgender employees
• Support programs including menopause benefit
• Competitive compensation
• Regular bonus and equity performance grant opportunities
• Generous 401(k) and regional retirement plans
• Annual cross-company compensation review and pay equity analysis
• 1-on-1 financial coaching
• Fertility and growing family assistance
• Parental leave and baby bonding leave
• Elder care and support
• Survivor income benefit
• Backup childcare
• Caregiver leave
• Paid time off, including vacation, bereavement, sick leave, parental leave, disability, and holidays
• Jury duty leave
• Military leave
• Hybrid work model with remote work opportunities also available
• Educational reimbursement
• Peer learning and coaching platform
• Donation matching programs
• Employee resource groups
• Volunteer hours
• Internal community groups and local culture clubs
• Inspiring spaces to work, recharge, and collaborate with fellow Waymonauts
• On-site meals and snacks
• Fitness centers, massage programs, and ergonomic support
• On-demand fitness, wellbeing, and cooking classes
• Commuter benefits- Proficiency in programming with Python (or R), including data manipulation, wrangling, and visualization
• Pursuing PhD in a quantitative field (e.g. Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computational Social Science)
• Strong statistical theory foundation
• Experience in machine learning applications and complex data analysis, or familiarity with SQL and/or C/C++
• Experience in processing and interpreting high dimensional data such as images/videos
• Demonstrated research capabilities through publications and a strong understanding of statistical methodologies and foundation models
• Prior internship experience (Autonomous Driving and generative AI preferred)- We will accept resumes on a rolling basis until the role is filled. To be in consideration for multiple roles, you will need to apply to each one individually - please apply to the top 3 roles you are interested in