Validation Operations Standards & Quality Program Manager

Waymo Operations exists to deliver the Waymo Driver to the world. We are a global team building and scaling the world's first and leading autonomous fleet and operations platform. From component sourcing to end customer management, we enable and create value for Waymo through scaled and orchestrated deployment of the Waymo Driver. At Waymo, we are dedicated to building a culture that promotes inclusivity and celebration. We value diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences; recognize that inclusive actions lead to equitable outcomes; and support and encourage all team members to share their ideas to help Waymo better serve the communities in which we operate.

You will:

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, playbooks, and checklists based on safety, regulatory compliance, and program requirements.
• Monitor validation practices for adherence to quality standards, conduct audits and analyze feedback.
• Design and execute a formal change management process for all modifications to validation operations standards and procedures.
• Assess the impact of proposed changes on operations, safety, and project timelines. Develop clear communication plans and lead training efforts to ensure smooth transitions and universal adoption of new processes.
• Proactively identify potential risks associated with changes and develop robust mitigation strategies to minimize disruption to operations.
• Track key metrics related to performance and quality, analyze results, and use data-driven insights to drive continuous improvement.
• Conduct detailed process mapping of current workflows to identify inefficiencies and drive lean principles, ensuring consistency and repeatability of validation outcomes.
• Facilitate root cause analysis for process failures, and quality deviations to implement corrective and preventative actions to address underlying issues.

You have:

• 7+ years of experience in program or project management, quality assurance, or process improvement within the automotive, aerospace, or a related high-growth tech company .
• Proven track record of successfully leading complex organizational change initiatives and implementing formal change control processes.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with a meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with diverse cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of quality management principles, audit processes, and data analysis.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.

We prefer:

• Master's degree or relevant certifications (PMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt) preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of Quality Management Systems and process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean Six Sigma).
• Experience in developing and implementing training programs, preferably in a technical or operational setting.

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