Autonomous Vehicle Training Specialist

Transdev; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Transdev is seeking an Autonomous & Fleet Specialist in Los Angeles to scale operations from an L2 role, expanding calibration, mapping, demo operations, and testing of autonomous software. The role includes performing calibration, validating sensors and vehicles, operating in manual and autonomous modes, and delivering high-quality public-facing demos while safeguarding information.

Responsibilities cover data collection, bug reporting, software testing, and cross-functional collaboration with

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience driving on public roads.
• High School Diploma or GED; 4-year college degree preferred.
• 4+ years experience in automotive/technical or related fields.
• 6 months autonomous vehicle testing or mapping/canary experience preferred.
• Ability to work flexible schedules including nights/weekends.
• For Ops Event Specialist role: two static demos and five in-car demos completed.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high safety, professionalism, and situational awareness.
• Calibrate and validate SDS equipment; configure startups and updates.
• Operate autonomous vehicles in manual and autonomous modes; collect data and provide feedback.
• Identify, document, and report bugs; support root-cause analysis.
• Test new software releases and translate technical info for operations teams.
• Collaborate with engineers, PMs, and ops to support troubleshooting and improvements.
• Conduct and support static and dynamic demos, including rides for the public; protect proprietary information.
• Plan and execute demo operations including routes, schedules, inventory, and logistics.
• Scout routes/environments for mapping and testing; ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

Skills

Safety mindset

Communication

Multitasking

Adaptability

Schedule flexibility

Education

High School Diploma or GED

College degree preferred

Tools

GSuite

Android

Laptop proficiency

Job description

Overview

Our team has developed a strong culture of safety, professionalism, and personal responsibility. Transdev's Autonomous & Fleet Specialists are critical to the success of delivering safe autonomous driving systems to our customers, enabling a revolutionary mobility experience.

This role represents an upscaling from an L2 Operator position, expanding responsibilities across calibration, mapping, demo/event operations, and advanced autonomous software testing to support the successful deployment and continuous improvement of autonomous driving systems.

The position is responsible for performing calibration and validation tasks to ensure sensor and vehicle readiness, operating and evaluating self-driving vehicles in both manual and autonomous modes to collect data and support mapping development, and executing high-quality public-facing static and dynamic demos while maintaining professionalism and protecting proprietary information. Additionally, the role contributes to testing new software releases, identifying issues, and providing detailed feedback to engineering teams, serving as a bridge between development and operations.

Team members are expected to uphold a strong culture of safety, adaptability, and technical excellence while communicating effectively with internal stakeholders and the public, ensuring both operational success and a positive user experience.

Pay Rate

$30.00- $35.00/hr

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and situational awareness while operating in dynamic environments.
• Perform calibration and validation of SDS equipment, including executing vehicle startup configurations, software updates, and system readiness checks.
• Operate and evaluate autonomous vehicles in both manual and autonomous modes across varied routes and conditions, while monitoring multiple onboard systems with sustained attention.
• Collect data and provide detailed, accurate feedback on vehicle performance, system behavior, and discrepancies between real-world environments and mapped outputs.
• Identify, document, and report bugs, recurring issues, and edge cases; support root cause analysis and continuous system improvement.
• Test new software releases and features, stay current on release updates, and translate technical information into actionable insights for operations teams.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, program managers, and operations teams to support troubleshooting, product improvement, and operational alignment.
• Conduct and support static and dynamic demos, including providing rides to the public, representing the technology professionally, and protecting proprietary information.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute demo operations by maintaining routes, documentation, schedules, inventory, and event logistics, while validating demo software readiness.
• Scout and evaluate routes and environments for mapping, testing, and demo purposes, ensuring accuracy and operational effectiveness.
• Communicate clearly and consistently, including documenting activities, completing reports, escalating issues, and providing feedback to stakeholders.
• Interact with internal teams and the public in a professional manner, including educating others on autonomous technology and providing rides in the self-driving car to the general public when appropriate.
• Safely operate vehicles for extended periods independently or with a co-driver, while working effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
• Represent Waymo by showcasing self-driving technology to Waymo’s guests in a friendly, concise manner.
• Support team development by modeling best practices and, at senior levels, mentoring less experienced operators.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety requirements, and regulatory standards, including zero-tolerance substance policies.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience driving on public roads. Additional experience is preferred.
• High School Diploma or GED required. Four-year college degree (preferred) in a related field like industrial or applied sciences.
• 4+ years experience in automotive, technical, or related fields or equivalent experience.
• Preferred Experience: 6 months of autonomous vehicle testing, experience in customer service or PR roles, mapping/canary experience.
• Ability to work flexible schedules including nights/weekends.
• For Ops Event Specialist role:
• Completion of two static demos and five in-car demos

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using touchscreen smartphones (Android preferred) and laptop computers, including GSuite applications (Gmail, Sheets, Docs, Chats/Hangouts).
• Typing Speed: Ability to type at least 40 adjusted words per minute.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to clearly and concisely describe technical observations, elevate issues across teams, and document complex field scenarios professionally.
• Adaptability & Judgment: Proven ability to multitask across multiple technologies (including but not limited to communication devices and vehicle status systems), react quickly to simultaneous scenarios, and demonstrate sound judgment in fast-paced, high-stress environments.
• Schedule Flexibility & Travel: Must be highly adaptable to fluid schedules, with the ability to work a variety of assigned shifts—including early mornings, evenings, overnights, and weekends. Shifts may be extended or modified based on operational needs. Candidates must be willing to work overtime and be recalled at short notice to meet peak operational demand. Additionally, this role requires the willingness and ability to travel for up to one month at a time, with overall travel demands being around 10% (up to 35% for Ops Event Specialist Role).

Physical Requirements

• Routine use of extremities (hands/fingers/grip) to handle, feel, reach, or type; ability to climb stairs/ladders, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must be able to routinely lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Strong visual and hand eye coordination. Vision capabilities must include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to work outdoors and perform shifts out of a compact crossover vehicle, with frequent exposure to inclement weather and extreme environments.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions upon request.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a clean driving record that meets state Autonomous Vehicle Tester (AVT) regulations (e.g., no more than 1 point on a CA record, or no more than one non-major moving violation in the preceding 3 years). Driving records are continuously reviewed in accordance with local and state regulations to ensure ongoing compliance.
• No driver's license suspensions or revocations due to operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the last 10 years.
• Never have been the at-fault driver in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in injury or death.
• Ability to qualify for and maintain an Autonomous Vehicle Tester (AVT) license/permit (in states where required), defensive driving certifications, and remain in good standing per company safety point policies.
• Satisfactory completion of a pre-employment background check, drug screen, and physical screening.
• Transdev reserves the right to perform ongoing background checks for all employees except in states where this is prohibited by state law. Transdev will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
• If based in the United States, applicants must be eligible to work in the US without restrictions for any employer at any time as required by the USCIS.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Transdev complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and candidates with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail]

Drug-free Workplace

• Transdev maintains a drug-free workplace. Applicants must:
• Be eligible to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship now or in the future (if based in the U.S.).
• Successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen.

About Transdev

Cities, counties, airports, companies, and universities across the U.S. contract with Transdev to operate their transportation systems, maintain their vehicle and fleets, and deliver on mobility solutions. Transdev U.S. employs a team of 32,000 across 400 locations while maintaining more than 17,000 vehicles.

Part of a global company, Transdev is a leader in mobility with operations in 19 countries, proudly operated by 110,000 team members from around the world. As an operator and global integrator of mobility, we are driven by our purpose. Transdev – the mobility company – empowers the freedom to move every day thanks to safe, reliable, and innovative solutions that serve the common good. Find out more at www.TransdevNA.com or watch an overview video at https://youtu.be/ilO5cv0G4mQ.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be done to successfully perform the essential functions.

Transdev is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or other legally protected status.

California applicants: Please Click Here for CA Employee Privacy Policy.

Job Category: Drivers

Job Type: Full Time

Req ID: 9072

Pay Group: 55P

Cost Center: 569

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions upon request.

Transdev is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or other legally protected status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

Drug-free workplace

If based in the United States, applicants must be eligible to work in U.S. without restrictions for any employer at any time; be able to pass a drug screen and background check.

California applicants: Please Click Here for CA Employee Privacy Policy.

About Transdev

Cities, counties, airports, companies, and universities across the U.S. contract with Transdev to operate their transportation systems, maintain their vehicle and fleets, and deliver on mobility solutions. Transdev U.S. employs a team of 32,000 across 400 locations while and maintaining more than 17,000 vehicles.

Part of a global company, Transdev is a leader in mobility with operations in 19 countries, proudly operated by 110,000 team members from around the world. As an operator and global integrator of mobility, we are driven by our purpose. Transdev – the mobility company – empowers the freedom to move every day thank to safe, reliable, and innovative solutions that