Engineering Manager, Middleware Transport

zoox· Software Systems
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📍 Foster City, CAFull time💰 USD 227K–322K

About this role

Zoox is building the world's most advanced self-driving hardware and software solution, and nearly every part of it depends on moving data reliably. Sensor frames to perception, planner decisions to vehicle controls, telemetry to the cloud, and remote operator video back down again. All of it crosses process, host, and network boundaries under hard latency and reliability budgets, on a vehicle that has to keep working when a link degrades or a network gets congested.

The Middleware Transport team owns that data path end to end: in-vehicle messaging (pub/sub, RPC, inter-process and inter-host transport), the vehicle's internal network, and vehicle-to-cloud connectivity. It also owns the transport and serialization abstractions the rest of the software organization builds on. Every one of those paths crosses a team boundary, so the work happens alongside firmware, product security, simulation, manufacturing, and IT, and those partners rely on this team for transport and networking depth to achieve their goals. As the team leader you will own the roadmap and the release commitments, and you will spend a real share of your time in those partnerships.

In this role, you will:

  • Own the roadmap, staffing, and release commitments across the team's messaging, in-vehicle network, and cloud connectivity work.

  • Lead and grow a team of software engineers, run their performance and promotion cycles, and hire into the gaps.

  • Represent the team in cross-functional programs across firmware, product security, simulation, fleet operations, and infrastructure, and build the relationships that keep shared work moving.

  • Set the technical bar. Make the architecture calls stick, and make sure the abstractions the team ships are ones other teams want to build on.

  • Balance interrupt-driven reliability work against long-horizon architecture, and be explicit with partners about the tradeoff.

Qualifications

  •  Bachelor's or Master's degree in computer science, electrical / computer engineering, or equivalent experience.
  • 9+ years of experience in software development, with 4+ years in a leadership role managing software engineers.
  • Strong grounding in at least one of: networked distributed systems, pub/sub and RPC middleware, vehicle or embedded networking, or transport protocols. Enough depth to hold your own in a design review without needing to run it.
  • Strong C++ programming experience with large code bases and technical dependencies.
  • A track record of driving work that spans organizational boundaries, where you did not control the people doing the work. 

Bonus Qualifications

  •  Robotics, automotive, aerospace, or another safety-relevant domain.
  • Hands-on experience with DDS, PTP and time synchronization, QUIC or multipath transport, or Ethernet switch configuration and diagnostics at fleet scale.
  • Experience building platform abstractions with internal customers, including the migration and adoption side. 
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.


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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Engineering Manager, Middleware Transport role at zoox?
The listed salary for this Engineering Manager, Middleware Transport position at zoox is USD 227K–322K. This is an Full time role.
Where is the Engineering Manager, Middleware Transport position at zoox located?
This Engineering Manager, Middleware Transport role at zoox is based in Foster City, CA. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Engineering Manager, Middleware Transport role at zoox full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a Full time position. It is posted as a Engineering Manager, Middleware Transport role in the Software Systems department at zoox.
Which team or department does the Engineering Manager, Middleware Transport at zoox belong to?
This Engineering Manager, Middleware Transport position is part of the Software Systems department at zoox. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Engineering Manager, Middleware Transport position at zoox?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to zoox's official application portal hosted on lever where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Engineering Manager, Middleware Transport job at zoox posted?
This Engineering Manager, Middleware Transport position at zoox was posted on Sep 21, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Engineering Manager, Middleware Transport
zoox · 💰 USD 227K–322K
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