Communications Manager, Product & Tech

Waymo
Mountain View +3 more
HybridCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have 10+ years in tech communications and experience translating complex engineering topics to diverse audiences.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 10+ years in tech communications and a track record in product launches and technical storytelling
    — “10+ years of experience in communications (in-house or agency), ideally at a technology company.”
  • Individuals who can interface with engineers, legal teams, and media across both technical and mass-market contexts
    — “we work with reporters, editors, bloggers, and other influencers to tell stories about Waymo and the potential of our technology.”
  • Professionals adept at managing multiple product launches simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
    — “Ability to run multiple launches at once in a fast-paced environment, with a high bar for detail.”

Things to consider

  • Hybrid work model requires regular presence in one of the listed US locations.
    — “This role follows a hybrid work schedule”
  • The role demands close coordination with internal legal and safety teams on sensitive issues.
    — “Sound judgement on sensitive, fast-moving issues, and comfort working closely with cross-functional internal teams like Legal and Safety.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your ability to translate AI and safety research into compelling public-facing narratives.
    — “Translate complex engineering work (AI, perception, simulation, hardware, safety research) into clear, accurate stories for press, technical audiences, and the public.”
  • Showcase experience in managing PR agencies and cross-functional media relations.
    — “Experience managing PR agencies.”
  • Demonstrate your capacity for rapid response and crisis communication.
    — “Support rapid response for your area: draft reactive statements and holding lines quickly and accurately.”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Developing and executing successful communications plans
  • Building and maintaining relationships with technology reporters
  • Supporting rapid response for sensitive issues
Typical background
10+ years of experience in communicationsExperience in technology or AI industries

Skills & requirements

Required

CommunicationsMedia RelationsTechnical StorytellingProduct LaunchesFast-paced EnvironmentCross-functional Collaboration

Preferred

AIRoboticsAutonomous VehiclesPR Agency Management

Stack & domain

CommunicationsMedia RelationsTechnical StorytellingProduct LaunchesTechnical AnnouncementsLeadershipCommunicationTeamworkProblem-solvingTechnologyAIPerceptionSimulationHardwareSafety Research

About the role

Original posting from Waymo

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver—The World's Most Experienced Driver™—to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo’s fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.

As a member of the Communications team, you’ll be on the cutting edge of bringing autonomous driving technology to the public, developing strategies that will increase understanding, acceptance, and adoption of this life-saving technology. We work with reporters, editors, bloggers, and other influencers to tell stories about Waymo and the potential of our technology to change how we move and live. We partner with the engineering, business, policy, marketing, and product teams to create messaging for new products and other initiatives, counter misinformation, and shape our reputation.

This role follows a hybrid work schedule and reports to the Public Relations Lead for Product & Technology.        

You will:

Develop and execute communciations plans for product and technology announcements, from feature launches to research publications and hardware milestones.    

Translate complex engineering work (AI, perception, simulation, hardware, safety research) into clear, accurate stories for press, technical audiences, and the public.    

Own spokesperson support for designated Product and Engineering leaders, including craftng talking points, briefing documents, FAQs, interview prep, and speaking opportunities.    

Build and maintain relationships with technology, AI, and transportation reporters, as well as with key trade outlets; proactively pitch stories and manage inbound media inquiries.    

Support rapid response for your area: draft reactive statements and holding lines quickly and accurately, and know when to escalate.    

Write and edit blog posts, press releases, technical explainers, and social copy with a high bar for accuracy and tone.

You have:

10+ years of experience in communications (in-house or agency), ideally at a technology company.    

A proven track record of deep media relations and the ability to skillfully interface with journalists across offensive and defensive storytelling efforts.    

Experience developing and executing communications plans for product launches and technical announcements.    

Both technical storytelling chops and mass-market instincts; you can get the engineering details right for an AI reporter briefing in the morning and land the same story with a broadcast or lay audience in the afternoon.    

Ability to run multiple launches at once in a fast-paced environment, with a high bar for detail.

Sound judgement on sensitive, fast-moving issues, and comfort working closely with cross-functional internal teams like Legal and Safety.    

We prefer:

Experience in technology, AI, robotics, automotive, or autonomous vehicle industries.    

Experience communicating research or technical milestones (e.g., academic papers, datasets releases, technical conferences).    

Experience managing PR agencies.    

Bachelor's degree in Communication, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field preferred but not required.  

The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process. 

Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo’s discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements. 

Salary Range$168,000—$207,000 USD

Source: Waymo careers

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