Alphabet’s autonomous driving division, Waymo, has appointed Steve Fieler as its new Chief Financial Officer, marking a strategic leadership shift as the company gears up for broader market expansion and a potential fundraising push in 2026.

The announcement, made on Monday, underscores Waymo’s growing ambitions to scale its robotaxi operations across the United States, while navigating the financial realities of the increasingly competitive autonomous vehicle industry.

A Strategic Financial Leader Joins Waymo

Steve Fieler brings more than two decades of experience in corporate finance and technology to his new role. Before joining Waymo, he served as Vice President of Planning, Investments, and Investor Relations at Google, where he was a central figure in the finance leadership team. Fieler also previously held the position of Chief Financial Officer at HP, managing multi-billion-dollar budgets and guiding major restructuring and innovation initiatives.

Earlier in his career, Fieler worked with General Electric and several early-stage tech ventures, giving him a blend of corporate discipline and startup agility — an ideal combination for Waymo’s evolving business model.

Waymo’s co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana shared the announcement on LinkedIn, writing, “Steve’s extensive experience will be instrumental in guiding us through this next chapter.” She also expressed gratitude to outgoing CFO Elisa de Martel, who has led the company’s financial operations since 2022. “We’re wishing her the best as she embarks on her next chapter,” Mawakana added.

Navigating Growth and Financial Challenges

Fieler’s appointment comes at a critical time. Waymo’s parent segment under Alphabet, “Other Bets,” reported $344 million in revenue for Q3 2025, down from $388 million the year before. Losses widened to $1.43 billion, compared to $1.12 billion in the same period last year — reflecting the high costs of scaling autonomous driving technology.

Despite these headwinds, Waymo’s operational footprint continues to grow. The company now runs commercial robotaxi services in Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Austin, and plans to expand into Miami and Washington, D.C. by 2026. In August, Waymo also received permits to test autonomous vehicles with trained safety drivers in New York City, signaling steady progress toward broader nationwide adoption.

Looking Ahead: A New Phase for Waymo

Industry analysts see Fieler’s appointment as a signal that Waymo is entering a new financial phase — one that may involve seeking additional outside investment to support its growth and accelerate commercialization. The company’s ongoing pilot programs and scaling costs indicate that sustained capital management will be crucial to achieving long-term profitability.

Waymo’s ambitions align with an autonomous vehicle market projected to surpass $800 billion globally by 2035, with U.S. adoption expected to drive a significant portion of that growth. Fieler’s financial expertise at the intersection of technology and large-scale operations could play a vital role in ensuring Waymo remains a leader in this race.

As Waymo pushes deeper into public testing, commercial launches, and partnerships, its new CFO faces the challenge of balancing bold innovation with financial discipline — a hallmark of companies that successfully transition from experimental ventures to industry mainstays.