Security Operations Center Watch Lead

Tempe, AZ, USA Autonomous Vehicles Full-time Posted Nov 12, 2026
Apply on Waymo (opens in a new tab) Sourced via careers.withwaymo.com · Posted 2026-11-12

About this role

Waymo is hiring a Security Operations Center Watch Lead, full-time, on-site in Tempe, AZ, USA, in the Autonomous Vehicles sector.

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 the Waymo Security Operations Center (SOC) Watch Lead, you will be a key leader responsible for the 24/7/365 operations of our global security program. You will provide critical operational direction and oversight of the SOC's day-to-day functions and vendor performance.

This role is central to shaping and building a best-in-class global security program that sets the industry standard, ensuring the safety and security of Waymo's personnel, assets, and operations. You will be responsible for developing operational procedures, managing vendor performance, and leading the team's response during critical events, all to ensure the operational resilience required to safely deliver the Waymo Driver to the world.

You will:

  • Maintain Situational Awareness: Serve as the primary lead for monitoring Waymo’s global footprint, identifying and assessing potential impacts on personnel, the autonomous fleet, and facilities.
  • Manage Real-Time Events: Oversee the security response for active incidents, ensuring operational excellence and strict adherence to established protocols.

  • Represent Physical Security: Act as the physical security representative during the initial stages of all incident responses and crises, collaborating with partners in Facilities, EHS, Operations, Safety, Legal, and Resilience.

  • Conduct Briefings: Provide clear and concise situational updates to leadership during active security events, with the professional judgment to identify when incidents require higher-level intervention.

  • Ensure Operational Quality: Perform real-time audits of incident logs, dispatch recordings, and mass notifications to ensure accuracy, speed, and professionalism.

  • Finalize Reporting: Review and finalize end-of-shift reports to ensure all critical data points are captured for long-term trend analysis.

You have:

  • 5+ years of experience leading operations within a Global Security Operations Center (GSOC), Military Operations Center, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), or a similar 24/7 command center environment with a primary focus on physical security and incident response (this is not a cybersecurity position).
  • A proven track record of making independent, critical decisions in high-pressure, time-sensitive security environments.

  • Bachelor’s degree in Security Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Emergency Management, Criminal Justice, or a similar field.

  • Demonstrated ability to leverage internal telemetry and external risk data—including OSINT, social media analysis, and incident volume—to synthesize multiple information streams and provide actionable situational awareness.

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence response actions and provide clarity during fast-paced events.

We prefer:

  • Completion of advanced FEMA training, specifically ICS-300 and ICS-400.

  • Knowledge of traditional facility-based security technology and infrastructure, including access control, alarm monitoring, and CCTV systems.

  • Experience with global risk intelligence and incident response applications (e.g., Dataminr, Everbridge)

  • Completion of industry-recognized certifications such as the CPP, PSP, or APP

The expected hourly range for this position 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. 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.

Hourly Range $57.70 — $70.68 USD

Description from Waymo's official posting. Always confirm details on the company careers page.

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About Waymo

Waymo

Alphabet-backed autonomous driving company operating commercial robotaxi service in Phoenix, San Francisco, LA, and Austin.

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Larry Sherwood Jr.

About Larry Sherwood Jr.

Talent Acquisition Leader specializing in mobility, EV, and frontier tech. 1,200+ hires across roles ranging from production technicians to VPs, including 48 hires for the AFEELA U.S. launch at Sony Honda Mobility (98% offer acceptance, about $1.5M in agency fees avoided). SHRM-CP certified. Build recruiting functions from scratch, no agencies.

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Curated by Larry Sherwood Jr. on the free Mobility Jobs board. Pulled nightly from company applicant tracking systems. Apply directly on the source link above to be considered.