Head Engineer, Automated Driving

Woven•Ann Arbor, MI

4d•$189,000 - $310,500

About The Position

Woven by Toyota is seeking a Head Engineer to work hand-in-hand with the Head of Automated Driving. The role addresses deep technical challenges, drives technical alignment across teams, and harmonizes the machine learning stack with the data flywheel to advance the company’s goal of zero accidents. The Head Engineer amplifies the Head of Automated Driving by steering engineering teams toward a unified technical direction, supporting cross-functional problem-solving, and maintaining technical rigor. The role calls for expertise in autonomy, robotics, and data-driven application development, along with leadership and communication skills to mentor technical leads and collaborate with stakeholders, including Toyota Motor Corporation. The position develops long-term technical strategy for data-driven infrastructure and the automated driving stack; leads cross-functional technical efforts; and helps define shared standards, toolchains, machine learning stacks, and engineering practices. It promotes a safety-critical mindset, measurable engineering progress, and technical excellence through hands-on contributions, reviews, mentoring, and collaboration with executive leadership and Toyota Motor Corporation.

Requirements

At least 10 years of professional experience in data-driven software development, robotics, autonomy, or safety-critical systems.
Deep understanding of machine learning and data operations, with experience in big data and cost-efficient data-flywheel infrastructure based on cloud or on-premises devices.
Extensive experience leading and facilitating cross-functional teams and engineers through complex technical discussions, identifying blockers and solutions, and steering teams toward a common goal.
Experience deploying software in Automated Driving products, designing scalable architectures, and leading end-to-end system integrations.
Experience driving code quality and systems safety processes for production code delivery, with expertise in real-time system development, large-scale data handling, and robust model validation.
Strong leadership presence, excellent communication skills, ability to collaborate, and a bias toward action and outcomes.
Ability to thrive in ambiguity, embrace the company’s mission, and influence diverse stakeholders toward a common goal.

Nice To Haves

Patents or technical contributions in machine learning, robotics, or autonomy.
Deep understanding of real-time operating systems, non-functional requirements, and trade-offs.

Responsibilities

Develop long-term technical strategy for data-driven infrastructure and the automated driving stack with the leadership team, and amplify the Head of Automated Driving in collaboration with executive leadership and Toyota Motor Corporation.
Lead cross-functional lead engineers in identifying complex technical challenges, developing robust solutions, and guiding execution toward a unified, data-driven automated driving stack.
Lead resolution of cross-functional technical challenges involving autonomy stack development, data search and curation, machine learning training pipelines, triage, and evaluation workflows.
Shape and drive adoption of common development standards, toolchains, and machine learning stacks across autonomy teams.
Champion best practices in data-driven development, code quality, design reviews, real-world validation, and model interpretability.
Embed a safety-critical-first mindset and ensure safety, quality, and reliability are foundational to technical design and activities.
Help define technical KPIs and ensure engineering decisions are grounded in measurable progress toward system safety, performance, and scalability.
Represent the Head of Automated Driving in technical decision-making forums, reviews, and external engagements when required.
Mentor and coach engineers, fostering technical excellence and accountability through hands-on coding, peer reviews, and design reviews.