San Francisco, CA Engineer Support Specialist (ESS)

About Alto

Alto is a destination for innovative intellectually curious and forward-thinking people. We are disrupting the rideshare industry with a revolutionary elevated experience and a sustainable business model. At Alto we hire W-2 employee drivers and maintain a company-operated fleet of luxury 2024 we entered into a strategic partnership as Ubers premier fleet operator in Los Angeles and Miami and are rapidly growing our operations in these markets and beyond. Our pillars of safety consistency and hospitality give Alto a differentiated experience and advantage from our competitors. Today we operate in Los Angeles Dallas Miami and Houston with ambitions for nationwide expansion coming soon! Check out more about us here.

Position Overview

At Alto we arent just building autonomous haulage and fleet systems; were creating a vision of mobility that is safe reliable and scalable. As an Engineer Support Specialist (ESS) for on-road testing you are the guardian of our technology and the critical link between our cutting-edge AI and the unpredictability of the open road.

This isnt simply a driving jobits a technical role that requires the focus of a pilot and the analytical mind of a tester. You will operate vehicles equipped with proprietary technology providing real-time feedback to our engineering teams to ensure our fleet remains safe efficient and operationally ready every single day.

Department: Operations & Support

Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Employment Type: Full-Time Hourly

Reports To: Operations Management

Rate: $30/Hour

Where you Own and where you support:

The Engineer Support Specialist (ESS) Owns-

• Vehicle software systems supervision and adherence to safe operational protocols.
• Execution of structured test cases (e.g. construction zones roundabouts pedestrian traffic).
• Data logging concise verbal and written reporting and edge-case documentation.
• Pre- and post-trip inspections sensor surface cleanliness (LiDAR Cameras Radar) and fleet health reporting.

The Engineer Support Specialist is expected to work directly with Software and Hardware Engineers to troubleshoot issues identified during shifts maintaining clear line-of-sight communications regarding vehicle capabilities and software build updates.

Why this role

• Frontline innovation: Serve as the vital human connection between autonomous software models and real-world road environments.
• Cutting-edge technology: Work directly with state-of-the-art autonomous vehicle hardware sensor suites and AI driving systems daily.
• Direct impact: Provide crucial diagnostic data and feedback that directly shapes vehicle software improvements and safety protocols.
• Culture of excellence: Collaborate closely with engineers and operations personnel dedicated to safety innovation and high operational standards.

You will:

• Supervise vehicle systems: Monitor autonomous software and hardware systems during testing while strictly upholding safety protocols and legal compliance.
• Execute structured testing: Conduct specific test routes and edge-case scenarios systematicallyevaluating vehicle behavior and software performance.
• Log and report data: Deliver concise high-quality verbal and written feedback detailing system performance edge cases and unexpected behaviors.
• Ensure fleet readiness: Perform routine pre-and-post trip inspections maintain sensor cleanliness (LiDAR cameras radar) and communicate equipment issues.

What you bring to the table:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Valid U.S. Drivers License held for at least 5 years with a pristine driving record (no major infractions max 1 point).
• Strong tech literacy and ability to navigate complex software interfaces and troubleshoot connectivity/hardware basics.
• High situational awareness and ability to maintain focused attention during repetitive operations.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills for reporting technical feedback in real time.
• Adaptability and comfort in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing software builds and operational goals.
• Ability to clear a background check and drug screening.
• Ability to sit in a vehicle for 68 hours daily lift up to 50 lbs and maintain clear vision/hearing monitoring.
• Flexibility to work shift schedules including early mornings evenings nights and weekends.

We prefer

• Bachelors degree in a technical field or equivalent experience in fleet operations and precision driving.
• Prior experience in the autonomous vehicle industry or testing complex software and hardware systems.
• Working knowledge of vehicle dynamics or basic automotive mechanical systems.

ADA Statement: The above statements describe what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of the job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some incumbents assigned to the job to perform a different combination of duties.

EEO Statement: Alto is committed to equal opportunity and is firmly committed to preventing discrimination and harassment including sexual misconduct based on legally protected diversity characteristics (such as race color religion national origin sex age disability sexual orientation gender identity or expression family status citizenship genetic information and veteran status) in its application and hiring processes and in its employment decisions.

Required Experience:

IC