2025 Summer Intern, PhD, Planner Selection - ML Engineer

As a 2025 Summer Intern, PhD, Planner Selection - ML Engineer at Waymo, your primary responsibilities will include collaborating with researchers and engineers to design, develop, and implement reinforcement and imitation learning models for our autonomous vehicle planning. You will also integrate these models into our production planning system, analyze model performance, and stay updated on the latest advancements in the field.

To qualify for the 2025 Summer Intern, PhD, Planner Selection - ML Engineer role at Waymo, candidates must be currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Robotics, or a related field. Experience with imitation and reinforcement learning, proficiency in Python, and familiarity with deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow or JAX are also essential.

The work environment for the 2025 Summer Intern, PhD, Planner Selection - ML Engineer at Waymo is collaborative and innovative. Interns are considered a vital part of our team and culture, working closely with industry experts on impactful projects. You'll enjoy both the challenge of high-level technical tasks and the support needed to grow your skills within a fun and rewarding atmosphere.

As a 2025 Summer Intern, PhD, Planner Selection - ML Engineer at Waymo, you will develop skills in reinforcement and imitation learning model design, production system integration, performance analysis, and advanced software engineering practices. You will gain hands-on experience in autonomous driving technologies while collaborating with experienced professionals who will mentor and guide your learning.

It's best to apply for the 2025 Summer Intern, PhD, Planner Selection - ML Engineer role at Waymo as soon as possible. We accept resumes on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To enhance your chances, consider applying to multiple roles you're interested in, but be sure to submit a separate application for each.

In your response, discuss specific projects or coursework where you applied reinforcement or imitation learning principles. Highlight tools and frameworks you used and the outcomes achieved, demonstrating how your experiences align with the responsibilities of the role at Waymo.

This question provides an opportunity to showcase your communication skills. Pick a concept from your PhD research and break it down into understandable terms. Use analogies or practical examples to illustrate your point, reflecting your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is crucial in a collaborative environment.

Discuss your personal approach to time management and organization. Emphasize methods like creating task lists, using project management tools, or breaking larger projects into manageable parts. Share a specific example if possible, detailing how prioritization helped you meet deadlines or improve project outcomes.

Respond with a genuine expression of your passion for the industry, drawing on your interests in safety, innovation, and the technology behind autonomous vehicles. You could mention specific aspects of Waymo's mission or projects that resonate with you, reinforcing your commitment to contribute meaningfully.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response. Paint a clear picture of the challenge, your role, and the steps you took to resolve it. Emphasize what you learned from the experience and how it has shaped your technical approach since then.

Share specific deep learning frameworks you have experience with, such as TensorFlow or JAX, and discuss how you have utilized them in past projects. Mention any relevant techniques or models you implemented, highlighting successful outcomes or insights gained from working with these frameworks.

Articulate your awareness of current industry challenges, such as safety, regulatory issues, or technological limitations. Discuss potential solutions or innovations you believe could mitigate these challenges, demonstrating your critical thinking and understanding of the industry landscape.

Explain your strategies for maintaining high code quality, such as adhering to best practices, conducting code reviews, and utilizing version control systems. Provide examples where these practices have directly contributed to the success of your projects.

Highlight a specific project that required effective teamwork, outlining your role and the contributions of others. Discuss how you communicated, resolved conflicts, and leveraged each other's strengths to achieve project goals, showcasing your collaborative spirit.

Demonstrate your commitment to staying abreast of industry advancements by discussing a recent paper, its findings, and why it caught your attention. This exercise showcases your analytical skills and enthusiasm for continuous learning in the fast-evolving field of autonomous vehicles.