Full-Time
Senior/Staff Technical Program Manager
Zoox
1,001-5,000 employees
Fully electric autonomous ride-hailing service platform
Compensation Overview
$186k - $284k/yr
Company Historically Provides H1B Sponsorship
San Mateo, CA, USA
Hybrid
Bachelor's, Master's
 Engineering Management |
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 Business & Strategy (1) |
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- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field.
- 7+ years of TPM experience, with a strong background in complex hardware/software integration, system verification and validation (V&V), or safety-critical systems.
- A naturally inquisitive, highly technical mindset. You do not accept the status quo and have the discipline to negotiate aggressively with stakeholders to protect the program's critical path.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical bottlenecks into clear, data-backed executive narratives that enable timely, critical business decisions.
- Own the fleet validation operational strategy: Lead the end-to-end strategy and execution of mileage accumulation for both the physical test fleet and simulation assets, to enable Zoox’s geofence expansion across all cities. Partner closely with upstream teams (e.g. Autonomy, Systems Design & Mission Assurance, Places & Build) and downstream teams (e.g. Data Science, Fleet Operations) to ensure critical inputs are available, and results are delivered; you will ultimately "own the outcome" of test fleet data collection. This is a high leverage, high impact role.
- Usher in a simulation-first methodology: Act as the cross-functional catalyst for scaling simulated mileage accumulation. Drive alignment between Autonomy, System Design & Mission Assurance, and Simulation teams to ensure clear requirements are set, and simulation platforms are resourced to meet exponentially growing data needs.
- Identify and resolve critical bottlenecks: Develop rigorous tracking mechanisms that model the impact of upstream dependencies (e.g., map content deliverables and safety requirements). You’ll think critically and work cross-functionally to squash inefficiencies in upstream and downstream pipelines and systems. Partner collaboratively with program leads and executive leadership across orgs to reshape deliverables, timelines, and program scope where necessary to ensure overall program success.
- Relentlessly investigate and creatively resolve blockers: Treat flatlining progress metrics as immediate triggers for action. Dig deep into root causes, negotiate thoughtfully with stakeholders on complex requests, and design out-of-the-box technical workarounds when ideal solutions are unavailable. Always present concrete mitigation plans, rather than accepting the status quo.
- Deep experience with autonomous vehicle and / or simulation platforms, virtual validation strategies, or synthetic data generation.
- Familiarity with optimization frameworks and large-scale data acquisition programs.
Zoox designs and operates an autonomous ride-hailing service built around a purpose-built, fully electric vehicle designed specifically for autonomous operation. The vehicle uses advanced sensors, cameras, and AI to navigate complex urban environments, offering a four-passenger interior for comfort. Unlike competitors that retrofit existing cars, Zoox engineers both the vehicle and the service from the ground up, enabling optimized safety, efficiency, and passenger experience through integrated software that optimizes routing and reduces wait times. The company emphasizes safety through extensive testing and regulatory collaboration, and sustainability via electric mobility. The ultimate goal is to provide a smarter, safer, and more efficient urban transportation system that improves city life while reducing emissions.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
$1.2B
Headquarters
Menlo Park, California
Founded
2014
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Zoox started paid Las Vegas rides on August 10, 2026, proving monetization.
- Reuters reported Zoox already ferried riders free in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Austin, and Miami.
- DMV records updated August 7, 2026 show Zoox still testing in California with expanding ODDs.
What critics are saying
- Zoox recalled 105 vehicles on July 20, 2026 after smoke obscured an emergency scene.
- NHTSA's July 30, 2026 exemption caps Zoox at 2,500 vehicles yearly for two years.
- A second emergency-scene failure would trigger NHTSA tightening and fleet shutdowns within weeks.
What makes Zoox unique
- Zoox's steering-wheel-free robotaxi won NHTSA's first commercial exemption on July 30, 2026.
- Amazon's 2020 acquisition funds a standalone robotics stack built for ride-hailing, not retrofits.
- Hayward factory targets 10,000 robotaxis yearly, differentiating Zoox's vertically integrated manufacturing strategy.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Maternity & Paternity Leave
Vacation & Paid Time Off
Sick Days
Free Lunch or Snacks
Employee Assitance Program
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 2%1 year growth
↑ 1%2 year growth
↑ 2%Zoox CEO Aicha Evans has called for regulation of autonomous vehicles as the Amazon subsidiary launched its first paid robotaxi service in Las Vegas on Monday. The service follows a June incident where a Zoox vehicle drove into heavy smoke at an emergency scene, prompting a software recall. Evans told FOX Business that the company supports regulatory oversight. "We need to be regulated," she said, agreeing with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concerns about autonomous vehicles safely interacting with first responders. Zoox has operated free rides in Las Vegas since 2023. The company currently deploys roughly 65 vehicles there, with its California factory doubling production to five to six vehicles daily. Evans said Zoox plans to expand to Atlanta and Los Angeles beyond its current operations in San Francisco, Austin, and Miami.
Amazon's Zoox starts commercial robotaxi rides next week. Anabelle Colaco 08 Aug 2026, 13:49 GMT+ SAN FRANCISCO, California: Amazon's Zoox will begin charging passengers for driverless robotaxi rides in Las Vegas next week, marking its first commercial service days after receiving U.S. regulatory approval to deploy its vehicles without human controls. Zoox said it will start paid rides from August 10. The company has been carrying passengers for free in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Austin and Miami as part of its testing program. The commercial launch intensifies competition in the U.S. robotaxi market, where Alphabet's Waymo already operates paid driverless services in multiple cities, and Tesla has begun rolling out its own service. Zoox said fares will be comparable to the "comfort" tier offered by other ride-hailing companies. Pricing will be based on a base fare plus time and distance using the best available route, with any destination-specific fees, such as airport trips, disclosed upfront. Riders will not pay more if the robotaxi takes a longer route than originally planned. The company did not say when paid rides would begin in its other operating cities. Last week, Zoox became the first autonomous ride-hailing company to receive an exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from federal rules requiring human driving controls. The decision marked a milestone for companies building robotaxis from the ground up rather than adapting conventional vehicles. The approval is limited to deploying up to 2,500 vehicles in each of the next two years. NHTSA said it determined Zoox's vehicle was as safe as an equivalent vehicle that complies with federal motor vehicle safety standards. However, the agency imposed additional reporting requirements covering issues such as crashes and vehicles stopping inappropriately on roads. Robotaxi operators continue to face regulatory scrutiny over safety, particularly how autonomous vehicles respond to emergency scenes and interact with other road users. Zoox has issued several software recalls over the past two years. Most recently, in July, it recalled vehicles after one of its robotaxis struggled to detect heavy smoke at an emergency scene.
Zoox's autonomous pod without A steering wheel wants your money now. [email protected] (Nico DeMattia) Wed, August 5, 2026 at 1:28 PM PDT Zoox said on Wednesday that it will start charging for rides on August 10, in a milestone for the company and broader industry. * Amazon-owned Zoox plans to launch its commercial robotaxi service on August 10. * The first paid rides will happen in Las Vegas. * Zoox got an exemption from motor vehicle standards last week that allows it to operate its funky autonomous pod commercially. Zoox plans to make history by being the first company to operate a commercial robotaxi service using a vehicle without conventional driver controls. On Wednesday, the company said it will kick off its paid service in Las Vegas on August 10. Amazon-owned Zoox has been ferrying passengers around in its futuristic, rectangular pods for about a year now. But those rides were offered free of charge. Now, though, the federal government just cleared the way for customers to start paying for Zoox's robo-rides. Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) granted Zoox the first-ever commercial exemption from motor vehicle standards for a purpose-built autonomous robotaxi. That means Zoox has federal approval to charge for rides, despite its vehicle lacking a steering wheel, brakes, side mirrors, or other typically required features. Zoox still needs to navigate state and local laws, though. At the moment, it only has state permission to charge for rides in Nevada, but it's working on approval in California, too. This federal exemption is temporary. It lasts two years and allows for up to 2,500 vehicles to be deployed annually. All of its robotaxis will be "subject to an enhanced, adaptable oversight structure that can evolve as Zoox's technology advances," according to the NHTSA. How much will it cost? Zoox hasn't released specific pricing just yet, but it shared a bit about how fares will be structured. "To begin, fares will be calculated from a base fare plus distance and time traveled," a Zoox spokesperson told InsideEVs. "Destination fees, such as trips to or from the airport, may also be included. This is a similar structure to ride-hailing and traditional taxi services. We aim to be competitive with comfort level pricing." Zoox says fares will be fully visible by customers before booking the ride, fees included. And the fare will be based on the best route, so if the robotaxi takes a longer route than initially intended at the time of booking, customers won't be charged extra. It's still very early days for Zoox's robotaxi business. But charging for rides in Vegas is a major step forward for the company. And the official rollout of the first-ever robotaxi that isn't based on a modified passenger car is a major milestone for the self-driving car industry at large.
Zoox is preparing to launch paid robotaxi rides in Las Vegas, marking a milestone as the first US company to charge for rides in a purpose-built autonomous vehicle without a steering wheel. CEO Aicha Evans discussed the company's pricing strategy, expansion plans, and production ramp-up in a recent interview. The launch represents a significant shift for Zoox as it transitions from testing to commercial operations. The company's custom-built vehicles are designed specifically for autonomous ride-hailing, distinguishing them from competitors using modified traditional cars. Evans' comments signal Zoox's confidence in scaling its autonomous vehicle technology for paying customers in a major US city.
Amazon's Zoox will launch paid robotaxi rides in Las Vegas on Monday, following approval from US road safety authorities for commercial deployment of its vehicles without human controls. The company has been offering free rides in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Austin, and Miami as part of testing. Pricing will match the "comfort" tier of other ride-hailing services, typically 20% to 40% higher than standard fares. Zoox's electric vehicles feature two rows of inward-facing seats and no human controls. The launch intensifies competition with Alphabet's Waymo and Tesla in the US robotaxi market. Zoox became the first autonomous ride-hailing company to receive federal exemption from rules requiring human controls, though approval is limited to 2,500 vehicles over two years.