Engineering & Hardware Category Manager

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive procurement strategies for Engineering Services and R&D Hardware, balancing cost optimization with speed-to-market.
• Manage a high-volume pipeline of outsourced engineering workforce contracts and lead negotiations with mission-critical design firms.
• Structure and negotiate complex Statements of Work (SOWs) and Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) agreements for hardware development.
• Optimize Joint Design Manufacturing (JDM) and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) relationships for R&D components.
• Act as a trusted advisor to Engineering and Hardware leadership, conducting "make vs. buy" analyses to drive commercial value.
• Partner with Legal to ensure all agreements meet rigorous intellectual property and cybersecurity standards.

Requirements

• 7+ years of strategic procurement experience.
• 4+ years of dedicated experience in Engineering Services, R&D, or Hardware sourcing.
• Deep expertise in outsourced engineering models, including managed services, staff augmentation, and fixed-bid models.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex commercial contracts such as MSAs, NREs, and JDM/ODM agreements.
• Experience managing R&D hardware lifecycles (EVT, DVT, PVT) and negotiating with custom component manufacturers.
• Strong financial acumen with experience presenting Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a hyper-growth Tech, Autonomous Vehicle (AV), or automotive manufacturing environment.
• Engineering background or a profound understanding of hardware development and systems engineering principles.
• Proficiency with Ariba P2P, e-sourcing, and Spend Analysis tools.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Financial wellness including competitive compensation, bonus opportunities, and equity.
• Flexible time off and support for parental leave.
• Professional development opportunities and education reimbursement.
• Access to Google offices, cafes, and wellness centers.

About the Company

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Building on its origins as the Google Self-Driving Car Project, Waymo is developing the Waymo Driver to improve mobility and safety through fully autonomous technology.