Autonomous Vehicle Test Operator

Labs Operations

This team is responsible for mapping the Greater Austin area using a dedicated mapping vehicle. Team members work four 10-hour shifts each week, with the vehicle serving as their primary workstation. Their mission is to ensure all mapping tickets are completed accurately, efficiently, and on schedule, while maintaining strict adherence to road safety protocols.

We are in the process of rebuilding this small, specialized team, which will consist of four highly capable individuals. Together, they will play a critical role in delivering high-quality mapping data and supporting the broader operational goals of the organization. These workers will be working out of the vehicle at all times. However, they pick this vehicle up at Tempe HQ and then if issues arise, they will bring it to our service team. If the vehicle is out of service, they would be expected to report to any of the labs locations in AZ (PHX0, PHX1, PHX3, Chandler) based on business needs (other specific locations mentioned above will be explained/given upon hiring).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Safely operate test vehicles across diverse environments, road types, and weather conditions while adhering to all local traffic laws.
• Follow detailed instructions to prepare vehicles and components for testing; collaborate with fellow operators and engineers to execute test plans.
• Maintain strong focus on test objectives and communicate effectively to ensure safe, efficient, and accurate test execution.
• Perform a range of driving tasks, including route-based driving, short engineering test drives, and transport/delivery driving.
• Produce accurate, detailed, and comprehensive test reports.
• Support test activities using engineering principles, analysis tools, and established practices to meet performance targets and standards.
• Travel to test sites, customer locations, public roads, and environments ranging from standard conditions to extreme or challenging terrain.
• Coordinate logistical aspects of testing, including location readiness, tool availability, and resource planning.
• Conduct quality assurance evaluations, assessing functionality, performance, drivability, and overall user experience.
• Drive safely in daylight, darkness, and adverse weather or road conditions. Complete all assigned tests and tasks within designated timeframes.
• Work effectively both independently and with in-vehicle partners (passenger operators).
• Adhere to all security protocols for test vehicles and immediately report any security concerns to the drive supervisor.
• Assist with broader operational activities as required. This includes, but is not limited to, general operational tasks to ensure smooth day-to-day operations, assisting with equipment or material movement within the facility, and tasks like uploading data disks.

Requirements

• 1–2 years of experience in the technology industry, or a demonstrated strong interest in the field.
• Proficiency with ticketing and workflow management tools (e.g., JIRA) for collecting feedback, scheduling fixes, and tracking progress.
• Strong organizational and process-oriented skills, with the ability to follow structured schedules; willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• High level of comfort working with technology and troubleshooting basic issues.
• Genuine interest in the autonomy and emerging technology space.