Associate Vehicle Test Specialist

Motional; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 64,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401k with company match

Pet insurance

Job summary

Motional is seeking an Associate Vehicle Test Specialist in Pittsburgh to safely operate Autonomous Vehicles for testing. The role includes executing in-vehicle tests, reporting results, and coaching team members.

Candidates must have at least 6 months in Autonomous vehicles, a clean driving record, and possess effective communication skills. The position offers a salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000 and includes comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 6 months of Autonomous vehicle experience required.
• Valid driver's license and 10 years of driving experience.
• Able to operate Autonomous Vehicles on various routes safely.

Responsibilities

• Operate prototype-level Autonomous Vehicles on both defined and undefined routes.
• Provide feedback to engineering teams based on testing.
• Support global mapping efforts and data collection operations.

Skills

Autonomous vehicle experience

Clean driving record

Communication skills

Problem-solving abilities

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Microsoft Office

Job description

Mission Summary

Associate Vehicle Test Specialists support the business by working with Operations, Testing, Autonomy, Mapping, and System and Vehicle Integration Engineers to execute in-vehicle tests, refine test and verification plans, identify and resolve issues, and provide test results. You will communicate between teams and help with improving vehicle testing outcomes. We expect you to hold safety at the highest level while operating, testing, and maintaining our Autonomous Vehicle Fleet (AVs), have strong attention to detail, outstanding verbal and written communication practices, and embrace our core values as a member of the Motional team.

This role will focus on safely driving our vehicles, executing in-vehicle tests, reporting test results, coaching new team members on operations processes and procedures, and improving overall testing efficiency by identifying gaps and recommending process refinements. While efficiency is crucial, nothing comes before safety, and the Associate Vehicle Test Specialist is a key team member in upholding this responsibility.

Essential Duties

• Safely operate prototype-level Autonomous Vehicles on both defined and undefined routes, including a variety of geographic and environmental conditions, including closed course and public road testing.
• Operate in-vehicle data recording computers, including start/stop recording, data annotations, and debugging when issues arise and coach new team members on the processes and procedures. Provide feedback to engineering teams gathered from testing.
• Utilize JIRA/Confluence software to execute testing tickets and document historical data findings to a global audience and coach new team members on the processes and procedures.
• Able to work in a team environment and drive with another person. Maintain cooperative behavior towards fellow team members, including peers, engineers, and members or management and leadership
• Be able to provide quality ride service for passengers when applicable
• Able to read and understand highway, street signs, and all traffic signals in a site-specific location
• Maintains current knowledge and compliance with site-specific traffic laws and regulations
• Able to communicate proficiently in English (written and spoken) to be able to communicate with public safety officers if necessary
• Maintains current knowledge and adherence to all Motional operating best practices, policies, procedures, and directives
• Arrives to work on time, prepared with all valid driving credentials and employee ID badge on their person at all time
• Performs pre-trip and post-trip inspection of the Autonomous Vehicle and coaches new team members on the processes and procedures.
• Completes accident and incident reports- as needed
• Control and manage emergencies according to company procedures and coach new team members on the processes and procedures.
• Prepare, review, revise, and maintain technical documents for standard operating procedures (SOPs), including system/vehicle operations, system/vehicle testing, and user documentation.
• Support global mapping efforts by collecting mapping data on predefined routes, verifying map changes, and other routing mapping tasks
• Be an SME and assist with training current/new hire testing operators, including closed-course/public road facilitation in autonomous and manual methods of driving in addition to computer-based training
• Support operations metrics tracking and data input
• Support data collection operations
• Execute safe, repeatable test cases for extended periods and document results to accurately verify and analyze system performance and data
• Provide accurate, actionable, and detailed reports on the system/software state by testing and troubleshooting issues and coach new team members on the processes and procedures
• Document technical notes, reproduce issues, flag real-time autonomous vehicle events, and support triage and resolution processes
• Support Safety Steward driverless testing
• Able to travel domestically
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• 6 Months of Autonomous vehicle experience
• Candidates must have and maintain a clean driving record for the previous 10 years.
• A valid driver's license is required with a minimum of ten (10) years of driving experience.
• Prior experience as an Operator/Driver for Autonomous Vehicles, including some type of internal or external training on safely operating AVs
• High school diploma or equivalency
• Experience and training in providing subjective feedback on vehicle behaviors and the environment
• Must be able to complete in-house driving course/examination successfully
• Able to work days, nights, and weekends
• Must be able to use company communication systems and communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal
• Must be able to read a map and possess knowledge of the testing area
• Basic understanding of Linux and scripting languages, and robotics systems, including sensors, actuators, mechanical, and software systems.
• Skilled in Microsoft/G‑Suite applications, including PowerPoint/Slides, Excel/Sheets, Word/Doc
• Successful completion of relevant eLearning content related to vehicle platforms
• Ability to think logically and remove bias from evaluation of problems - demonstrated problem‑solving skills

Preferred Qualifications (not required)

• Associate or BS in Engineering/Physics/Science or relevant field preferred
• Demonstrated experience with working knowledge in a Linux environment
• Data Analysis experience
• Experience with testing of vehicle subsystems or features (esp. L2‑L5 systems)
• Experience in using issue tracking software or tools is preferred (esp. Atlassian Confluence, Jira, Bitbucket)
• Experience in technical writing, technical drawings, and documentation of mechatronics systems is preferred

Physical Demands

• Requires near/far/depth and color vision to safely operate Autonomous Vehicles and computer screens
• Able to be in a confined seated position to operate a vehicle for up to four (4) hours at a time for a total of up to ten (10) hours per day
• Able to be a driver and a passenger in an Autonomous Vehicle
• Able to operate grip gear shift, brake release, and steering wheel requiring coupling forces up to ten (10) lbs.
• Reach to either left or right shoulder to pull the seat belt across the body
• Walking around the vehicle at the beginning and end of the shift to inspect the vehicle.
• Will also inspect the underneath of the vehicle for leaks or damage
• Able to stay awake and alert on shift at all times

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and, at times, for extended periods; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here represent those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions, road conditions, and pedestrian traffic as well as a traditional office environment. The team member is regularly exposed to mechanical and computer parts. The team member is occasionally exposed to fumes and airborne particles. The noise level in the environment is low to moderate.

Motional AD LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and we welcome all qualified applicants. All applicants will receive impartial consideration regarding race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or another legally protected status. Motional AD LLC is a Drug‑free workplace.

Candidates for certain positions are eligible to participate in Motional’s benefits program. Motional’s benefits include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401k with a company match, health saving accounts, life insurance, pet insurance, and more.

$64,000 — $76,000 USD