Strategic Sourcing Manager Electronic Components

Waymo's Supply Chain teams are making the technology of the future a reality. We are responsible for the end-to-end management of our hardware supply base, from strategic sourcing and contract negotiation to quality and delivery. We partner closely with Waymo's Engineering teams and external suppliers to ensure the critical components in our autonomous driving system are delivered on time, at the right cost, and function flawlessly.

• Develop Category Strategy: Design and execute multi-year sourcing strategies for key electrical commodities (EE: Processors, Memory, PMICs, PCBs, Passives, Wireless, etc.) that align with Waymo's technical roadmap and business objectives.
• Lead Commercial Negotiations: Drive all aspects of supplier negotiation, including market intelligence,  pricing, supply agreements, and contracts (SOWs/MSAs), to ensure best-in-class cost, quality, and supply assurance.
• Manage Supplier Performance: Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, leading regular business reviews to align on strategy, manage performance, lead various audits, and drive continuous improvement.
• Drive Cost & Risk Management: Own the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for your commodities. Develop should-cost models (present/forward looking), lead cost-reduction programs, and proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks (e.g., capacity constraints, EOL).
• Act as a Cross-Functional Partner: Serve as the central commercial owner and a core partner to Engineering and Product teams, guiding complex sourcing decisions and technology selections to help achieve the needed goals for Waymo. A solid candidate will have the have the ability to understand technical datasheets and specifications as well as knowledge of manufacturing process controls and quality assurance
• Make it happen: We need a problem solver who sees a commercial, technical, communications, or negotiations challenge and sees an opportunity. As a startup we need critical thinkers who are not afraid of learning a new skill to solve a problem.
• Thrive in ambiguity: Often our space requires out of the box thinking and the “ask” might not be 100% clear, we need someone who can get to the root of the need quickly and solve. Be able to work in an evolving AV and semiconductor market and achieve our goals. Be able to communicate effectively internally and externally from execs to working level.

You will:

• Secure component supply and cost commitments from suppliers to support production demand and engineering builds for New Product Introduction (NPI) across EE component space
• Use your proficiency in pricing and knowledge of key cost levers of EE components to take the lead in cost exercises across our modules  and execute negotiations to achieve component-level cost targets.
• Manage forecasts and supplier capacity to ensure supply continuity for development and production demands.
• Work closely with Component and Custom Silicon Engineers to manage NPI programs under development and resolve supply/cost issues related to PCNs (Product Change Notices), ECNs (Engineering Change Notices), and product EOL (End of Life).
• Communicate key cost, supply, and quality updates to internal stakeholders and management teams.
• Onboard new suppliers and execute the necessary legal and commercial agreements.
• Partner with EE teams to drive the correct product roadmap from EE suppliers to Waymo’s product line up

You have:

• 8+ years of experience in EE or custom silicon commodity management
• Deep experience in should costing, silicon manufacturing, and the semiconductor ecosystem
• Bachelor’s degree in EE Engineering and/or equivalent experience or evidence of exceptional ability. 
• Ability to multitask, prioritize and work in an extremely fast-paced environment 
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time including International travel
• Strong communication, negotiation, presentation and analytical skills are required.  
• Proficient with excel or Google sheets. 
• Problem solving skills collaborating with cross-functional teams (Engineering, quality, manufacturing)

We prefer:

• Prior work experience at Apple, Google, Meta, Amazon or Tesla as an EE GSM
• Hands on experience with foundries, IDMs, ASIC, memory, or EDA/IP firms
• Masters in Electrical Engineering degree is a plus
• Asia supplier experience

Travel:

• 20% including International Travel