# Manager, Onboard Behavior Encoder

**Company:** [Zoox](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/zoox)
**Location:** Foster City, CA
**Role:** ML Engineering
**Salary:** $277k – $349k/yr
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** Reinforcement Learning, Machine Learning, planning, LLMs, vlas, vlms, Recommendation Systems, Python, algorithm design, mathematics, production ml pipelines, large scale training
**Posted:** 2026-07-01

> Lead and grow a team developing large-scale Reinforcement Learning and ML models for onboard autonomous vehicle behavior and driving plans. Requires MS/PhD, 5+ years production ML experience (3+ in leadership), and expertise in RL/ML for planning, LLMs, or related areas.

## Job Description

## Lead a Team
- Manage, mentor, and grow a team of individual contributors, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

## Develop Strategy
- Develop and organize overall strategy for Onboard Behavior ML Models for generating driving plans for autonomous vehicles.
- Interface with multiple partner teams (Onboard Perception, Cost Planner, Simulation, Validation, Data Science, Systems Engineering, QA, and ML Infra) to identify opportunities for model improvements.
- Set short and long term technical direction for the team and collaborate on broader company-wide directions.

## Technical Guidance
- Provide technical guidance and leadership in the design and development of training models at large scale.
- Work with partner teams on ensuring efficient inference.

## Monitor Performance
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of work packages and drive continuous improvement.

## Manage Resources
- Manage the allocation of resources within the team, ensuring that projects are staffed appropriately and that team members have the necessary tools and support to succeed.

## Qualifications
- Expertise with Reinforcement Learning and Machine Learning for at least one of these areas: Planning, LLMs, VLAs/VLMs, recommendation systems.
- Extensive experience with programming and algorithm design, strong mathematics skills.
- MS or PhD degree in computer science or related field.
- 5+ years of experience with production Machine Learning pipelines, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.

## Bonus Qualifications
- Conference or Journal publications in Machine Learning or Robotics related venues.
- Prior experience working with autonomous vehicles or robotics, diffusion models, large scale training.

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