Autonomous Vehicle Operator, Downtown San Francisco (PM Shift, 12-Month Duration)

NextGenEnergyJobs; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Daily meal reimbursement

Paid time off + company holidays

Job summary

NextGenEnergyJobs in San Francisco is seeking an Autonomous Vehicle Operator for the Downtown area on a 12-month temporary assignment with full benefits. The role requires operating autonomous test vehicles, documenting activities, and supporting training of the self-driving system.

The ideal candidate has a California driver’s license (3+ years in the US), strong communication skills, and a proactive, safety-conscious mindset.

Qualifications

• Must be able to reliably work 5 days a week on the listed afternoon/evening shifts.
• Must hold a current California driver’s license with at least 3 years of US driving experience.
• Demonstrated passion for autonomous vehicles and learning processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication across collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Google Meet).
• Comfort operating standard field equipment used for documentation and workflow procedures.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Able to work independently or in small groups and manage time effectively.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality with a track record of dependability.

Responsibilities

• Operate autonomous test vehicles with proprietary software/hardware.
• Assist in training the self-driving technology.
• Adhere to safety culture and conduct standards; complete required training checkpoints.
• Work 5 days per week on PM shift, including specified Tue-Sun/Fri-Tue variants.
• Document activities using provided devices and platforms; communicate findings clearly.

Skills

Valid California driver’s license

US license 3+ years

Strong communication

Problem-solving under pressure

Time management

Collaboration and teamwork

Self-driven and adaptive

Tools

Laptops/tablets/smartphones for documentation

Job description

Autonomous Vehicle Operator, Downtown San Francisco (PM Shift, 12-Month Duration)

This is a temporary, full-time position with full benefits, with an expected end date of 12 months from hire.

Key Responsibilities

• Our operations team is growing and we are looking for Autonomous Vehicle Operators (AVOs) to join us. In this role you will be responsible for operating our autonomous test vehicles that run proprietary software and hardware, while helping train our self-driving technology.
• Professionalism, care, and personal accountability are significant attributes as you will be expected to adhere to the culture of safety and standards of conduct exemplified by the team. You will have to pass a number of training checkpoints both in and out of the vehicle.
• Due to the nature of the position, this job requires:
• Sitting for 3 to 4 hours at a time for up to 8 hours per day in an enclosed vehicle alone or occasionally with a co-driver
• Bending, squatting, stretching and lifting up to 25 pounds on a regular basis
• Side and up/down movement of the head, neck, back and shoulders necessary to operate a vehicle safely
• Ability to work in a vehicle that may brake, swerve, slow, or stop abruptly
• Holding and grasping with hands and frequent use of foot/feet to operate foot pedals when driving the vehicle
• The total compensation package for this position includes base pay and a competitive benefits package including medical/dental/vision insurance, daily meal reimbursement, and paid time off in addition to limited company holidays. For this position the reasonably expected base hourly rate is $27/hour for the afternoon/evening shift. Employees will receive a weekend differential for hours worked on Saturdays and Sundays, in addition to their base hourly rate. You may also be eligible for a discretionary biannual contract completion bonus based on company and individual performance.

Requirements

• You are able to reliably work 5 days a week on one of the following shifts: Afternoon/Evening: 2:00pm-10:30pm PT(Mon-Fri) Afternoon/Evening: 2:00pm-10:30pm PT (Tue-Sat) Afternoon/Evening: 2:00pm-10:30pm PT (Wed-Sun) Afternoon/Evening: 2:00pm-10:30pm PT (Thu-Mon) Afternoon/Evening: 2:00pm-10:30pm PT (Fri-Tue) Afternoon/Evening: 2:00pm-10:30pm PT (Sat-Wed) Afternoon/Evening: 2:00pm-10:30pm PT (Sun-Thu)
• You have a current valid California driver's license and have been in possession of a US license for 3+ years
• You have a passion to learn about processes and autonomous vehicles
• You have strong communication skills (written and verbal) and are able to comfortably communicate through modern online collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Google Meet, or similar)
• You are comfortable operating standard field equipment, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones, which are critical for documentation, training, and real-time workflow procedures
• You exhibit strong problem-solving skills by remaining calm and resourceful under pressure to troubleshoot operational issues
• You have strong collaboration and time management skills and are able to work independently or in small groups for periods without direct supervision
• You are self-driven and able to stay focused and goal oriented while adapting to frequent changes and evolving conditions
• You have a proven record of reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance