Staff Systems Engineer (San Francisco)

About the TeamDoorDash Labs, established in 2018, serves as the innovation hub for DoorDash, focusing on developing automation and robotics solutions to enhance last-mile logistics. The team's mission is to create technologies that support and augment human networks, aiming to improve efficiency for Dashers, merchants, and consumers alike. We’re ruthlessly focused on business impact. We are a highly senior team composed of former pioneers from a variety of different robotics industries. As of 2025, DoorDash has completed 10B lifetime deliveries. We’re focused on how to do the next 10B even better.About the RoleWe are seeking a highly motivated Systems Engineer to help shape the architecture and integration of our next-generation delivery platforms. In this role, you will define system requirements, interfaces, and verification strategies that connect diverse hardware, software, and operational teams into a cohesive, safe, and reliable system. You will translate high-level business and mission objectives into clear engineering specifications, ensuring our delivery platform meets performance, safety, and regulatory goals.The ideal candidate brings a strong background in complex system development, with experience in aerospace, autonomous vehicles, or other safety-critical domains, and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where clear thinking and systems-level perspective drive success.You’re excited about this opportunity because you will…Define system requirements and interfaces for delivery platforms, translating business and operational goals into verifiable technical requirementsDevelop and maintain system architecture and interface control documents that allocate functionality, performance, and safety constraints across subsystems and components.Lead trade studies and technical risk assessments to evaluate design options and make data-driven recommendations balancing various objectivesCreate verification & validation strategies (test plans, acceptance criteria, simulation requirements) and coordinate cross-discipline verification activities to ensure end-to-end performance and safety.Act as the technical liaison to regulatory bodies, ops teams, suppliers, and program management to ensure compliance and smooth system integration into delivery workflows.We’re excited about you because…Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Systems, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or a related engineering discipline.8+ years of experience in systems engineering, requirements management, or a related role within a safety-critical or high-complexity engineering environment.Proficiency with requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama, or Polarion) and structured requirements traceability processes.Demonstrated experience developing and validating system requirements in self-driving, aerospace, or other safety-critical domains.Proven ability to collaborate across disciplines (Mechanical, Electrical, Software, and Reliability Engineering) to define and manage system interfaces.Exceptional analytical, communication, and organizational skills, with a track record of driving complex, cross-functional engineering efforts.Experience with Python or SQL for data analysis, system modeling, or test automation.Notice to Applicants for Jobs Located in NYC or Remote Jobs Associated With Office in NYC OnlyWe use Covey as part of our hiring and/or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT in NYC. As part of the hiring and/or promotion process, we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound from August 21, 2023, through December 21, 2023, and resumed using Covey Scout for Inbound again on June 29, 2024.The Covey tool has been reviewed by an independent auditor. Results of the audit may be viewed here: CoveyCompensationThe successful candidate's starting pay will fall within the pay range listed below and is determined based on job-related factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. Base salary is localized according to an employee’s work location. Ranges are market-dependent and may be modified in the future.In addition to base salary, the compensation for this role includes opportunities for equity grants. Talk to your recruiter for more information.DoorDash cares about you and your overall well-being. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees, which includes a 401(k) plan with employer matching, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, wellness benefits, commuter benefits match, paid time off and paid sick leave in compliance with applicable laws (e.g. Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act). DoorDash also offers medical, dental, and vision benefits, 11 paid holidays, disability and basic life insurance, family-forming assistance, and a mental health program, among others.To learn more about our benefits, visit our careers page here.See below for paid time off details:For salaried roles: flexible paid time off/vacation, plus 80 hours of paid sick time per year.For hourly roles: vacation accrued at about 1 hour for every 25.97 hours worked (e.g. about 6.7 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 3.4 hours/month if working 20 hours/week), and paid sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked (e.g. about 5.8 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 2.9 hours/month if working 20 hours/week).The national base pay ranges for this position within the United States, including Illinois and Colorado.I4$130,600—$192,000 USDI5$159,800—$235,000 USDI6$193,800—$285,000 USDAbout DoorDashAt DoorDash, our mission to empower local economies shapes how our team members move quickly, learn, and reiterate in order to make impactful decisions that display empathy for our range of users—from Dashers to merchant partners to consumers. We are a technology and logistics company that started by enabling door-to-door delivery, and we are looking for team members who can help us go from a company that is known as the place you order food to a company that people turn to for any and all goods.DoorDash is growing rapidly and changing constantly, which gives our team members the opportunity to share their unique perspectives, solve new challenges, and own their careers. We're committed to supporting employees’ happiness, healthiness, and overall well-being by providing comprehensive benefits and perks including premium healthcare, wellness expense reimbursement, paid parental leave and more.Our Commitment to Diversity and InclusionWe’re committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry, and cities. That’s why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunity to excel.Statement of Non-Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, or veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination and harassment based on “protected categories,” we also strive to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at DoorDash. We value a diverse workforce – people who identify as women, non-binary or gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, American Indian or Native Alaskan, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, differently-abled, caretakers and parents, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Thank you to the Level Playing Field Institute for this statement of non-discrimination.Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.If you need any accommodations, please inform your recruiting contact upon initial connection.Notice to Applicants for Jobs Located in NYC or Remote Jobs Associated With Office in NYC OnlyWe used Covey as part of our hiring and/or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT in NYC. As part of the hiring and/or promotion process, we provided Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound from August 21, 2023, through December 21, 2023. We resumed using Covey Scout for Inbound again on June 29, 2024, and ceased using Covey Scout for Inbound on April 30, 2026.The Covey tool has been reviewed by an independent auditor. Results of the audit may be viewed here:.