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Proving Ground Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Waymo

Proving Ground Site Lead

Phoenix, AZ

Lead a large proving ground and be directly responsible for the activity on site ensuring that the testing and engineering operations are executed safely, efficiently and are meeting Waymo's quality ...

Waymo

Proving Ground Site Lead

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$230K - $284K/yr

Lead a large proving ground and be directly responsible for the activity on site ensuring that the testing and engineering operations are executed safely, efficiently and are meeting Waymo's quality ...

Waymo

Proving Ground Site Lead

Phoenix, AZ · On-site +1

$230K - $284K/yr

Lead a large proving ground and be directly responsible for the activity on site ensuring that the testing and engineering operations are executed safely, efficiently and are meeting Waymo's quality ...

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How much do proving ground jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for proving ground in the United States is $20.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $26.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Proving Ground vs Test Engineer?

AspectProving GroundTest Engineer
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, safety certificationsEngineering degree, testing certifications
Work EnvironmentVehicle testing facilities, outdoor tracksLaboratories, testing labs, field sites
Employer & IndustryAutomotive, defense, aerospaceAutomotive, manufacturing, aerospace
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Proving Grounds focus on real-world testing of vehicles or equipment in outdoor or specialized environments, often involving safety and performance assessments. Test Engineers design, develop, and execute testing procedures in labs or controlled settings. While both roles require engineering backgrounds and certifications, Proving Grounds emphasize field testing, whereas Test Engineers focus on laboratory and analytical testing processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Proving Ground Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Proving Ground Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or automotive engineering, along with hands-on experience in vehicle testing and evaluation. Familiarity with data acquisition systems, diagnostic tools, and industry-specific testing protocols is typically required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you analyze results and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure thorough and reliable testing, which is critical for product safety, performance, and regulatory compliance.

What are some common challenges faced when working at a vehicle proving ground, and how can new employees effectively navigate them?

One common challenge at a vehicle proving ground is adapting to the strict safety protocols and variable outdoor conditions, as testing often occurs in different weather and terrain. New employees may also find the fast-paced environment demanding, especially when coordinating with engineers, technicians, and drivers to meet tight project deadlines. To succeed, it's important to communicate clearly, adhere to established procedures, and proactively seek guidance from experienced colleagues. Building strong teamwork skills and staying organized will help new hires integrate smoothly and contribute to the testing process.

What are Proving Grounds in the context of jobs?

Proving Grounds are specialized testing facilities or environments where new products, technologies, or vehicles are put through rigorous tests to evaluate their performance, safety, and durability. In the context of jobs, working at a Proving Ground typically involves roles related to engineering, testing, data collection, and analysis. Employees may be responsible for designing and conducting experiments, maintaining testing equipment, and ensuring that products meet specific regulatory or company standards before they are released to the market. These roles are critical in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and defense, where reliability and safety are paramount.
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Proving Ground jobs near you
Proving Ground Site Lead

Proving Ground Site Lead

Waymo

Phoenix, AZ

Other

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Waymo's Systems Engineering team works together to blend software and hardware systems in groundbreaking new ways. We set the high performance standards that ensure our vehicles run smoothly and keep passengers safe, then design and perform the tests that validate that performance. We're looking for talented teammates who'll help us maintain strong teamwork and are passionate about driving results.

This role follows a hybrid work schedule and reports to Systems Test Engineering Manager. 

You will:

  • Lead a large proving ground and be directly responsible for the activity on site ensuring that the testing and engineering operations are executed safely, efficiently and are meeting Waymo's quality and project timeline requirements
  • Develop and execute the strategic proving ground planning for the site by proactively identifying new testing requirements and proposing the infrastructure, staffing, and tooling needed to meet those needs, and then overseeing the implementation of those projects
  • Lead the relationships with our operating partners to ensure that engineering and operating SLA's are met and to continuously improve the collaboration between facilities, operations, engineering, technician, and driver staff 
  • Evaluate novel test plans and test campaigns to ensure that they can be executed safely and propose the most efficient and effective testing methodologies
  • Host and lead drive events and technical demonstrations on site for external partners and government officials

You have:

  • Experience in physical testing in automotive, aerospace or robotics, including test equipment and data acquisition
  • Experience in developing or operating test tracks, military proving grounds, wind tunnels or airports
  • Experience working closely with vendors providing engineering,  testing, or operational services
  • The ability to effectively lead large cross functional teams
  • Direct, hands on experience with a variety of program management tools, commonly used tools are Jira, Google Docs and internal issue trackers
  • Demonstrated experience in setting the strategy and  leading large  engineering programs or test campaigns

 

We prefer:

  • Experience with automotive testing across a diverse range of operating  conditions and technical domains (Vehicle Dynamics, ADAS, Noise and Vibration, Durability, Sensing, Perception, etc.) 
  • Experience with physical hands-on testing of Autonomous Vehicles and related technologies
  • Experience maintaining high-visibility project schedules and campaign tracking to ensure project clarity and stakeholder management
  • Strong knowledge of Systems Engineering principles and experience with verification coverage plans developed from system level requirements

 

Travel requirements:

  • 10% travel to support: Traveling to Waymo's headquarters as well as other test facilities and proving grounds to support test campaigns

*The location of the work site is approximately 45 min outside of Phoenix.

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