Autonomous Vehicle Test Operator II

Motional AD Inc.; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 56,000 - 66,500; Full time

Job summary

Motional seeks experienced Test Operators to safely drive prototype autonomous vehicles on defined and undefined routes, including diverse environments. You will manage in-vehicle data recording, annotate tests, and provide feedback to engineering teams while mentoring fellow operators.

Applicants should have a valid license with 10+ years driving, map reading skills, and the ability to work days, nights, and weekends.

Qualifications

• 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 years of driving experience.
• Prior experience as an Operator/Driver for Autonomous Vehicles, including some training on safely operating AVs.
• High school diploma or equivalency.
• Experience providing subjective feedback on vehicle behaviors and the environment.
• Must complete in-house driving course/examination successfully.
• Able to work days, nights, and weekends.
• Read a map and know the testing area.
• Proficient with a laptop, GSuite, and touchscreen smartphone; basic robotics knowledge.
• Completion of relevant eLearning content related to vehicle platforms.
• Ability to think logically and remove bias in problem evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate prototype-level Autonomous Vehicles on defined and undefined routes in varied conditions.
• Operate in-vehicle data recorders, annotate data, and provide feedback to engineering.
• Use JIRA to manage tasks and ticket status changes.
• Direct execution of test plans and communicate vehicle intent to teammates.
• Provide quality ride service for passengers when applicable.
• Read highway signs and comply with local traffic laws.
• Maintain knowledge of Motional operating practices and release procedures.
• Arrive on time with credentials and badge; perform pre/post inspections.
• Complete accident reports and manage emergencies per procedures.
• Write basic quality reports with linked in-vehicle timestamps.
• Support mapping efforts by collecting and verifying route data.
• Assist with training and mentorship for Test Operators.
• Support operations metrics and data collection.
• Execute safe, repeatable test cases and document results.
• Troubleshoot and reproduce issues with guidance from seniors.
• Document notes and track in-vehicle issues.
• Travel domestically as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Driving experience

Map reading

Tech proficiency

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Flexible schedule

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Jira

Job description

Responsibilities

• 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 and data annotations as required by the test plan, and low-level log event review. Provide feedback to engineering teams gathered from testing, and provide mentorship and training as needed to Test Operators.
• Utilize JIRA software to manage assigned tasks, including movement of ticket status and elaborating on those status changes.
• Effectively perform all duties of a right seat operator, including directing execution of the test plan, communicating vehicle intent to the left seat operator, and providing annotations as required by the test plan. Maintain cooperative behavior and work collaboratively without issue towards fellow testing staff, engineers, and management.
• 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 times.
• Perform daily pre-operations and post-trip inspections of testing vehicles, report any damage or mechanical issues to management, and perform vehicle deployment and bring-up without assistance from more senior team members.
• Completes accident and incident reports‑as needed.
• Control and manage emergencies according to company procedures.
• Write basic quality results reports, including linked timestamps for in-vehicle events.
• Support global mapping efforts by collecting mapping data on predefined routes, verifying map changes, and other routing mapping tasks.
• Assist with training and provide mentorship as needed to Test 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.
• Collect and communicate basic information required for troubleshooting and issue creation, following troubleshooting procedures with guidance from senior personnel and Test Engineers as needed.
• Document technical notes, reproduce issues, flag real-time autonomous vehicle events, support triage and resolution processes, and track in-vehicle issues as needed.
• Able to travel domestically.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Demonstrates proficiency with a laptop computer, GSuite applications, and a touchscreen smartphone, alongside a basic understanding of robotics systems, including sensors, actuators, mechanical, and software systems.
• Successful completion of relevant eLearning content related to vehicle platforms (completed by deadline).
• 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.
• 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. Jira).
• 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.

Salary Range

$56,000 — $66,500 USD

Motional is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To comply with Federal Law, we participate in E-Verify. All newly‑hired employees are queried through this electronic system established by the DHS and the SSA to verify their identity and employment eligibility.