Contract Student Worker - Business Operations

Zoox
Foster City, CA
Career-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Aimed at mid-level business operations candidates who thrive in fast-paced environments and can translate complex analytics into strategic insights.

Best fit for

  • Mid-level business operations candidates with strong analytical and strategic framing skills
    — “Proven ability to translate complex analytics into strategic recommendations that shape executive decision-making
  • Students with a background in quantitative disciplines and a drive to impact real-world operational planning
    — “We're looking for students who bring strong academic foundations, curiosity that doesn't stop at coursework, and a drive to be part of something that matters.
  • Individuals who can balance statistical rigor with practical business implications
    — “Combine statistical methods, machine learning, and AI-enabled tools to improve forecasts and make model outputs easier to interpret

Things to consider

  • Requires a minimum three-month commitment and 20 hours per week of on-site work
    — “Available to commit to a minimum three-month assignment.
  • Candidates must be currently enrolled in a relevant degree program
    — “Currently enrolled in a B.S. or M.S. program in a relevant discipline.

How to stand out

  • Showcase experience with scenario planning and cross-functional collaboration in your resume
    — “Build scenario models that help leaders understand the staffing, cost, and infrastructure implications of operational changes and market growth
  • Demonstrate your ability to backtest models and quantify tradeoffs in interviews
    — “Evaluate model performance through backtesting, forecast-versus-actual reporting, and clearly defined accuracy measures
  • Highlight your experience with AI tools and your ability to explain forecast drivers clearly
    — “Prototype AI-powered decision-support tools that explain forecast drivers, identify emerging risks, and allow leaders to explore planning scenarios
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · CompanyLevel · Intern

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

What success looks like

  • develop forecasting models for fleet operations
  • translate complex analytics into strategic recommendations
Typical background
data scienceoperations research

Skills & requirements

Required

Forecasting ModelsScenario PlanningFleet OperationsAi-powered Decision Support

Preferred

LlmsCoding CopilotsApisAgent Frameworks

Stack & domain

ForecastingScenario PlanningFleet AvailabilitySupply HoursStaffingOperational WorkloadChargingInfrastructureStatistical MethodsMachine LearningAILlmsCoding CopilotsApisAgent FrameworksModel EvaluationUncertaintyExplainabilityHuman OversightLeadershipCommunicationProblem-solvingTeamworkAutonomous VehiclesFleet OperationsData ScienceBusinessStatisticsComputer ScienceOperations ResearchIndustrial EngineeringEconomicsApplied Mathematics

About the role

Original posting from Zoox via Lever

About Zoox

Zoox is an autonomous ridehailing company building the world's first purpose-built robotaxi — fully electric, bidirectional, with no steering wheel or driver's seat. Backed by Amazon and founded to make transportation safer, cleaner, and more accessible, Zoox designs its vehicles entirely around the rider. We're currently operating in Las Vegas and San Francisco, with Austin and Miami on the horizon, and testing underway across seven U.S. markets.

About Our Part-Time Student Worker Program

Zoox's part-time student worker program puts you at the center of one of the most ambitious challenges in transportation. You'll contribute to real projects, work alongside engineers and researchers pushing the boundaries of autonomous technology, and gain experience that goes well beyond the classroom. We're looking for students who bring strong academic foundations, curiosity that doesn't stop at coursework, and a drive to be part of something that matters.

Role Overview

In this role, you will help Fleet Operations anticipate the resources required to scale an autonomous vehicle service across markets. You will develop forecasting and scenario-planning capabilities across fleet availability, supply, staffing, operational demand, charging, and infrastructure. Your work will inform high-impact planning decisions and create a shared, data-driven view of future operational needs.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop forecasting models for fleet availability, supply hours, staffing, operational workload, charging demand, and infrastructure needs
  • Proven ability to translate complex analytics into strategic recommendations that shape executive decision-making
  • Evaluate model performance through backtesting, forecast-versus-actual reporting, and clearly defined accuracy measures

Required Qualifications:

  • Build scenario models that help leaders understand the staffing, cost, and infrastructure implications of operational changes and market growth
  • Track record of turning analysis into strategy framing options, quantifying tradeoffs, and driving alignment among senior stakeholders
  • Combine statistical methods, machine learning, and AI-enabled tools to improve forecasts and make model outputs easier to interpret
  • Prototype AI-powered decision-support tools that explain forecast drivers, identify emerging risks, and allow leaders to explore planning scenarios
  • Comfort with ambiguity and evolving priorities in a fast-scaling operational environment

Bonus Qualifications:

  • Partner with Workforce Management, Finance, Strategy, Data Science, and operational leaders to align assumptions and establish a shared operating forecast
  • Executive-level communication skills: crisp writing, storytelling, and presentations built for C-suite and board audiences
  • Currently pursuing a master’s degree in data science, business, statistics, computer science, operations research, industrial engineering, economics, applied mathematics, or another quantitative field
  • Influence without authority - comfortable advising senior leaders and managing stakeholders across functions
  • An AI-native technical skill set, with demonstrated experience using LLMs, coding copilots, APIs, or agent frameworks to develop analytical products or automate technical workflows
  • Strong understanding of model evaluation, uncertainty, explainability, and human oversight.

Program Requirements:

  • Ability to select the right analytical approach for the problem rather than defaulting to the most complex model.
  • Currently enrolled in a B.S. or M.S. program in a relevant discipline.
  • Strong communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills
  • Available to commit to a minimum three-month assignment.
  • Able to commit a minimum of 20 hours per week.
  • Able to work on-site at one of our office locations.
  • Must adhere with Zoox confidentiality requirements, including refraining from using or sharing proprietary company information outside of Zoox, such as in academic research, theses, publications, or presentations.

About Zoox

Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.

Follow us on LinkedIn

Accommodations

If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to accommodations@zoox.com or your assigned recruiter.

A Final Note:

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

Source: Zoox careers (Lever)

Similar roles