Contract Student Worker - Software Engineer (20/hrs week)

Zoox
Foster City, CA
On-siteCareer-pivot friendly

In the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026, Zoox filed 177 H-1B positions titled "Software Engineer". Source: U.S. Department of Labor, LCA disclosure data. A record of filings already made, not a commitment to sponsor.

Who this role is best for

Best suited to students with technical proficiency in Python and web development working in autonomous vehicle operations and product scaling.

Best fit for

  • Students with strong web development skills and interest in autonomous vehicle operations
    — “Zoox is building the world's first purpose-built robotaxi”
  • Candidates who can take ownership of full-stack tools and coordinate cross-functional teams
    — “Own the expansion-tracking web tools end to end, from feature request to release”
  • Individuals who thrive in independent, on-site work arrangements with academic flexibility
    — “You'll join a team directly and contribute to real projects with real impact”

Things to consider

  • Requires a minimum three-month commitment and 20 hours per week
    — “Available to commit to a minimum three-month assignment”
  • Must be able to work on-site at one of Zoox's office locations
    — “Able to work on-site at one of our office locations”
  • No structured internship or pathway to full-time employment
    — “The program does not include structured intern programming or a pathway to full-time employment”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with REST APIs and end-to-end web app development in your resume
    — “Experience working with REST APIs”
  • Showcase your ability to translate operational needs into technical features
    — “Partner with operations and engineering teams to understand their needs and turn them into features”
  • Emphasize your track record with Git and code review in your interview responses
    — “Comfortable with Git and code review”
  • Demonstrate your communication skills with examples of clear technical documentation or presentations
    — “Clear written and verbal communication”
  • Mention any prior work with Jira or similar tools in your application materials
    — “Develop and extend integrations with Jira so project status stays accurate and up to date”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Individual

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

What success looks like

  • internal web tools
  • integration with Jira
  • site coordination
Typical background
software engineeringweb development

Skills & requirements

Required

Web DevelopmentREST ApisGitCommunication

Preferred

Data VisualizationAutonomous Vehicles

Stack & domain

PythonJavaScriptHTMLCSSREST ApisGitCode ReviewWeb AppsDashboardsJiraWeb ServicesData VisualizationAutonomous VehiclesOperationsScaling A Product To New MarketsSelf-starterOwnershipIndependent WorkClear CommunicationWeb DevelopmentScaling A ProductNew Markets

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 Contract Student Worker Program

Zoox's contract 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:

Zoox is bringing its robotaxi service to cities across the US. Every new city needs depots to house and maintain the fleet, and pickup/dropoff locations at the places riders want to go most: hotels, airports, stadiums and event venues. In this role, you will own and grow the internal web tools that coordinate this rollout, giving teams a single, clear view of every site from planning to launch.

Responsibilities:

  • Own the expansion-tracking web tools end to end, from feature request to release
  • Build new views, dashboards, and workflows that help teams launch new cities and bring service to high-profile airports, venues, and hotels
  • Develop and extend integrations with Jira so project status stays accurate and up to date
  • Partner with operations and engineering teams to understand their needs and turn them into features
  • Keep the tools reliable and easy to use as the number of sites grows

Required Qualifications:

  • Proficiency in Python and JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
  • Experience working with REST APIs
  • Comfortable with Git and code review
  • Self-starter who takes ownership and works well independently
  • Clear written and verbal communication

Bonus Qualifications:

  • Experience building web apps or dashboards end to end
  • Familiarity with Jira or similar project-tracking tools
  • Experience deploying web services
  • Data visualization experience
  • Interest in autonomous vehicles, operations, or scaling a product to new markets

Program Requirements:

  • Comfortable with Git and code review
  • Currently enrolled in a B.S. or M.S. program in a relevant discipline.
  • Self-starter who takes ownership and works well independently
  • Available to commit to a minimum three-month assignment.
  • Clear written and verbal communication
  • 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.

We want to be transparent: this is not an internship. The Contract Student Worker Program is designed to complement your academic experience by providing meaningful, ongoing work alongside your studies. Rather than participating in a cohort-based program, you'll join a team directly and contribute to real projects with real impact. While the program does not include structured intern programming or a pathway to full-time employment, it offers valuable opportunities to learn, develop new skills, and gain hands-on experience in a professional environment.

Compensation for this role is $30/hour.

This is a contract position; employment will be through a vendor contracted with Zoox. The hourly rate is as posted, and benefits eligibility is determined by the vendor.

Source: Zoox careers (Lever)

Similar roles

More roles at Zoox