Autonomous Vehicle Operator, Santa Clara (PM Shift, 12-Month Duration)

Kindredventures; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 37,195 - 38,917; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Daily meal reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Nuro is seeking Autonomous Vehicle Operators to operate test vehicles in diverse traffic conditions while ensuring safety and adherence to operational procedures. This temporary, full-time role is primarily located in Santa Clara, CA.

The ideal candidate will manage data collection and troubleshooting tasks and engage with the public on autonomous technology. A valid California driver's license and strong communication skills are mandatory for this role. The competitive pay ranges from $27/hour to $28.25/hour, depending on the shift.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid US driver's license for 3+ years.
• Strong communication skills required for modern collaboration tools.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and drug test.

Responsibilities

• Operate vehicles in manual and autonomous mode for up to 8 hours daily.
• Conduct vehicle inspections and basic maintenance tasks.
• Collect data using proprietary software and report feedback.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Reliability and punctuality

Education

Valid California driver's license

Tools

Laptops

Tablets

Smartphones

Job description

This is a temporary, full-time position with full benefits, with an expected end date of 12 months from hire. This position is based on site in either Santa Clara, CA 95054 or South San Francisco, CA 94080, with the first 2 weeks of training based in Santa Clara.

Who We Are

Nuro is a self-driving technology company on a mission to make autonomy accessible to all. Founded in 2016, Nuro is building the world’s most scalable driver, combining cutting‑edge AI with automotive‑grade hardware. Nuro licenses its core technology, the Nuro Driver™, to support a wide range of applications, from robotaxis and commercial fleets to personally owned vehicles. With technology proven over years of self‑driving deployments, Nuro gives the automakers and mobility platforms a clear path to AVs at commercial scale—empowering a safer, richer, and more connected future.

About the Role

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.

About the Work

• Operate a vehicle in manual and autonomous mode up to 8 hours per day in diverse traffic conditions while adhering to proper safety and operational driving procedures
• Utilize proprietary ground‑breaking software to collect data in a variety of real‑world situations, while simultaneously providing detailed and accurate feedback to our engineers
• Troubleshoot operational issues in real time and collaborate with Mission Operations (dispatch) team as needed to resolve as quickly as possible and hit mileage collection targets
• Conduct daily vehicle inspection checks before and after missions
• Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, including but not limited to washing vehicles, putting air in tires, etc.
• Occasionally interact with members of the public to educate them on autonomous vehicle technologies and behaviors
• Occasionally serve as a company ambassador by safely and confidently conducting high‑profile ride‑alongs for senior leadership (CEO, President, VPs), major stakeholders, investors, and engineers. You will expertly balance safe operations with professional communication, fielding general questions, and strategically deferring technical inquiries to the correct Points of Contact (POCs) or subject matter experts
• Monitor onboard safety and navigational systems while maintaining constant situational awareness and adherence to safety protocols while driving

About You

• You are able to reliably work 5 days a week on one of the following shifts:
  • Morning: 6:00am-2:30pm PT (Tue - Sat)
  • Morning: 6:00am-2:30pm PT (Sun - Thu)
  • Afternoon/Evening: 2:00pm-10:30pm PT (Tue - Sat)
  • Afternoon/Evening: 2:00pm-10:30pm PT (Sun - Thu)
  • Overnight: 10:00pm-6:30am PT (Wed - Sun)
• You have a current valid California driver's license and have been in possession of a US license for 3+ years
• You have a clean driving record and can pass a criminal background check and drug test
• 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

Working Conditions and Essential Functions

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 Morning and Afternoon/Evening shifts, and $28.25/hour for the Overnight shift. You may also be eligible for a discretionary biannual contract completion bonus based on company and individual performance.

At Nuro, we celebrate differences and are committed to a diverse workplace that fosters inclusion and psychological safety for all employees. Nuro is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and expressly prohibits any form of workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.