Autonomous Vehicle Technician - San Francisco / HOURLY PAY

Senior Autonomous Vehicle Technician

The Senior Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Technician is a highly skilled technical professional responsible for advanced diagnostics, repairs, calibrations, and system integrations on autonomous vehicles. In addition to performing complex AV work, this role provides technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to AV technicians, ensuring best practices in fleet safety, reliability, and efficiency. The Senior AV Technician partners with engineering, operations, and safety teams to resolve escalated issues, implement technical projects, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the fleet.

At AutoNation, we want our employees to feel happy, healthy, and valued as they work to provide a top-notch experience for our customers. We offer our full-time Associates great, competitive benefits such as:

• Higher income potential
• Full benefits package including Paid Time Off & 401K w/ Company match
• Longevity bonuses
• Generous employee referral bonus program for Technicians (employees can earn up to $3000 per Tech referral!)
• Employee discount on vehicle purchases, parts, & service
• Advancement opportunities
• And so much more!

Autonomous Vehicle Technician - San Francisco / Pay Range is $33.00 to $60.00 per hour

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex mechanical and electrical troubleshooting for Autonomous Vehicle powertrain, braking, suspension, high-voltage, and advanced sensor systems.
• Diagnose, repair, and validate faults in CAN/LIN networks, AV computer hardware, and vehicle control modules.
• Perform root-cause analysis and resolve recurring technical issues across the fleet.
• Develop and implement technical repair procedures and best practices.

• Conduct precise calibrations and verification of LiDAR, radar, camera arrays, GPS units, IMUs, and perception systems.
• Validate sensor performance to meet stringent AV operational standards.
• Oversee testing and integration of updated or new sensor platforms.

• Install, configure, and replace complex AV components, including compute modules, communication units, wiring harnesses, and networking systems.
• Support engineering teams with software deployments, system debugging, and advanced data analysis.
• Lead vehicle data collection, testing, and technical evaluations to guide hardware and firmware improvements.

• Provide advanced troubleshooting during on-road and closed-course AV testing.
• Respond to high-priority operational incidents, vehicle recoveries, and technical escalations.
• Collaborate with remote monitoring and operations teams to resolve live AV issues.

• Mentor, train, and guide Advanced and other AV Technicians to build technical proficiency across the team.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, identifying trends and developing solutions to improve fleet reliability and safety.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert on AV platforms, contributing to engineering and operational discussions.

• Maintain comprehensive records of repairs, calibrations, diagnostics, and testing results in fleet management systems.
• Develop and refine technical documentation, procedures, and training materials.
• Drive process improvements and participate in cross-functional technical projects.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as an automotive, EV, robotics, or AV technician, including leadership or mentorship responsibilities.
• Expert diagnostic skills with both mechanical and electrical vehicle systems.
• Hands-on experience with sensor systems (LiDAR, radar, cameras) and computer hardware.
• Proficiency with diagnostic software, scan tools, electrical testing equipment, and troubleshooting of CAN/LIN networks.
• Ability to interpret wiring diagrams, schematics, and complex engineering documentation.
• Experience providing technical guidance and mentoring junior technicians.
• Ability to lift 50–75 lbs, work under vehicles, and operate in field environments.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• ASE Master Technician, EV/Hybrid certification, or OEM factory training.
• Experience with high-voltage systems (HV safety certification a plus).
• Knowledge of Linux command line and scripting for diagnostics and data analysis.
• Prior experience with autonomous vehicles, robotics, advanced ADAS, or mobility technology.
• Experience leading technical teams or managing fleet operations in fast-paced environments.

Working Conditions

• PM Position is the Mid-Day shift, Sunday - Thursday
• On-site role; may require evening, weekend, or on-call support.
• Work performed in shop, lab, and outdoor operational environments.
• Occasional travel to remote testing or operational sites.