System & Data Scientist

Wayve Wayve · Robotics · Sunnyvale, CA · Product & Delivery

This role focuses on data acquisition and analysis for Embodied AI in autonomous driving. The System & Data Scientist will analyze Operational Design Domains (ODDs), traffic patterns, and regulatory behaviors to define data needs for model performance and predictability. Key responsibilities include ODD characterization, behavioral competency mapping, developing a framework for ODD permutation and scaling, analyzing current model behavioral patterns, and providing guidance on data gaps impacting Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF). The role requires strong data analysis skills and collaboration with various teams.

What you'd actually do

  1. Analyze and define the operational design domain (ODD) for each target market or region, including geography, infrastructure, weather, road types, traffic density, and local driving behaviors.
  2. Build and maintain a taxonomy of behavioral competencies (e.g., merging, yielding, unprotected turns, interacting with pedestrians) required to safely operate in each ODD.
  3. Develop a framework to compute and prioritize permutations of ODD parameters and behavioral competencies to optimize data collection, scenario coverage, and scaling efficiency.
  4. Analyze current model kpi patterns, and common driving behaviors, assess differences in required system behavior and edge case risks.
  5. Use historical data and statistical models to identify data gaps or high-variance behaviors that impact MTBF performance.

Skills

Required

  • Systems engineering
  • Automotive data analysis
  • Data science
  • Data analysis tools (Python, SQL, GIS, Jupyter)
  • Analyzing ODDs
  • Understanding traffic regulations and human driving behaviors
  • Translating domain analysis into technical and product requirements
  • Working in an agile, fast-scaling environment

Nice to have

  • MS or PhD in Physics, Statistics or Mathematics with specialism in traffic system modeling, autonomous driving deployment, or urban mobility analysis.

What the JD emphasized

  • 7+ years experience
  • Experience analyzing or defining ODDs in the context of AV/ADAS technologies is a strong plus
  • Ability to work cross-functionally and translate domain analysis into technical and product requirements.

Other signals

  • Defining ODDs for AV/ADAS
  • Analyzing traffic patterns and regulatory behaviors
  • Quantifying complexity and frequency of behavioral competencies
  • Optimizing data collection and scenario coverage
  • Analyzing model KPI patterns and edge case risks
  • Providing guidance on data gaps impacting MTBF performance