Program Manager, Incident Response

The Program Manager, Incident Response at Waymo is responsible for leading the Incident Response Team (IRT), overseeing the Incident Commander program, and ensuring that effective processes for communication and decision-making are in place. This role also involves the management of the incident lifecycle from detection to post-event reviews, and working closely with regulatory bodies to align on safety strategies.

To qualify for the Program Manager, Incident Response position at Waymo, candidates should have over five years of project or product management experience, operational experience in high impact roles, and incident management know-how. A degree in emergency management, operations management, or related fields, and experience as an Incident Commander are preferred.

The incident management approach at Waymo, as led by the Program Manager, involves creating and implementing structured plans for various incidents while ensuring cohesive execution across departments. This includes managing the entire lifecycle of incidents—from detection to resolution and reviewing processes to improve response strategies.

The Program Manager, Incident Response plays a vital role in promoting safety within Waymo’s autonomous technology by designing effective safety strategies and coordinating with regulatory authorities. They ensure compliance with relevant regulations and develop policies that enhance safety standards for the autonomous vehicles.

Yes, the Program Manager, Incident Response role at Waymo may require travel up to 10% of the time, depending on business needs. This flexibility allows the manager to engage with various teams and stakeholders as necessary.

It's crucial to remain calm and focused. I prioritize clear communication, execute well-prepared incident response plans, and leverage team strengths to manage chaos effectively. Sharing a past experience where I navigated a critical incident could demonstrate this skill.

Certainly! My experience involves overseeing incidents from detection through resolution, ensuring all team members are informed and focused on objectives. I track and document process improvements post-incident, leading to more efficient practices for future events.

I advocate for regular training and simulations involving diverse teams to foster collaboration. By maintaining strong lines of communication and predefined roles within the response plan, we minimize response time during real incidents.

I stay informed of regulatory changes and work directly with legal and compliance teams to ensure our policies align. Regular audits and responsiveness to regulations are part of my strategy to maintain compliance.

I'm adept at summarizing complex situations into concise, actionable insights for executives. I focus on the impact, current status, and next steps to ensure informed decision-making while reducing the stress of urgent incidents.

I utilize incident management tools such as JIRA for tracking and reporting, and methodologies like ITIL for structured processes. Regularly reviewing and adapting these tools ensures they meet our evolving needs.

I analyze past incidents to identify gaps and potential risks, then prioritize initiatives based on their impact and resource availability. Engaging stakeholders in this process ensures a comprehensive and collaborative roadmap.

Absolutely! In a previous position, we faced a severe data breach. I led the response team to contain the issue quickly, communicated updates to stakeholders, and organized a thorough post-incident review, resulting in improved protocols.

A strong Incident Commander combines decisiveness with effective communication. They need to assess situations accurately, manage teams under pressure, and adapt strategies rapidly as new information emerges.

Post-incident reviews should involve all relevant stakeholders. I focus on identifying what worked well, areas for improvement, and documenting lessons learned to refine our incident response plans for future events.