Safety Driver

Avride; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Employer subsidized healthcare

Flexible Spending Account

Disability and Life insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Avride, a U.S.-based autonomous vehicle startup headquartered in Austin, TX, is seeking a full-time Autonomous Vehicle Operator to support testing and on‑road operations in the Austin area. You will drive Avride vehicles, collecting data and working with remote operators across shifts on a 40-hour week.

The role offers hourly pay of $25, weekly pay, and benefits through our Employer of Record partner, including subsidized healthcare, a 401(k), pre-tax commuter benefits, and a flexible spending

Qualifications

• Experience as an autonomous vehicle operator or related roles with strong safety awareness.
• Valid U.S. driver's license for the last 3+ years.
• Clean driving record with no DUIs or drug/alcohol offenses in last 5 years.
• Ability to anticipate hazards and act quickly and safely.
• Thorough knowledge of local traffic regulations.
• Excellent communication and detail-oriented.
• Willingness to work in various weather conditions and on different roads.
• Takes ownership with high responsibility.
• Background check and drug test completed prior to start.

Responsibilities

• Operate AVs safely and collect data on performance and environment.
• Interact with riders, engineers, and operations leaders.
• Monitor vehicle performance and conduct in-field testing.
• Prepare vehicles daily for in-field operations, including safety checks.
• Submit detailed reports to support system advancements.
• Be prepared for actions of other drivers and pedestrians.
• Be distraction-free while in vehicles.

Skills

Autonomous vehicle operations

Driving safety awareness

US driver's license (3+ years)

Clean driving record

Traffic regulations knowledge

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Weather conditions adaptability

Ownership and responsibility

Background check readiness

Job description

About Avride

Avride is a U.S.-based autonomous vehicle startup headquartered in Austin, TX, with additional R&D hubs around the world. Our company develops and operates both autonomous cars and delivery robots that share technologies and mutually benefit from each other’s advancements—a unique approach in the industry. Since 2017, Avride has been building expertise in autonomous technologies to create solutions that address current needs and anticipate future demands. Today, we operate a fleet of autonomous vehicles in Dallas, Texas, in partnership with Uber, bringing our technology into real-world deployment.

About the Team

Our Operations Team is at the core of autonomous vehicle testing, ensuring every mile driven meets the highest safety standards. We work closely with engineers and QA teams to bring cutting-edge technology safely to the real world. It's a fast-paced, mission-driven environment where precision and responsibility matter.

About the Role

In this role, you will operate Avride autonomous vehicles in the Austin area, supporting testing and on-road operations. You will be driving Avride vehicles and will be paid an hourly rate of $25 per hour. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with two shift options: Tuesday through Saturday (8 hours per day) or Friday through Monday (10 hours per day). The role is based out of our North Austin location, with driving taking place throughout the city. During your shift, you will work closely with remote operators, alternating between manual driving and supervising the vehicle in autonomous mode. As part of your driving role, you will support data collection and testing efforts, which may include adjusting hardware, uploading software, and assisting with basic technical troubleshooting.

This role is employed through our 3rd party employer of record partner and offers weekly pay on Fridays. Employees are eligible for subsidized benefits starting on the first day of the month following 60 days of employment, as well as access to a 401(k) plan and paid time off.

Available Schedules

Day Shift

• Tuesday–Saturday: 8‑hour shifts
• Sunday–Thursday: 8‑hour shifts

Typical Day Shift Hours

• 5:00 AM – 1:30 PM
• 5:30 AM – 2:00 PM
• 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM
• 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Evening Shift

• Tuesday–Saturday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM (8‑hour shifts)
• Friday–Monday: 2:30 PM – 1:00 AM (10‑hour shifts)

What you'll do

• Operate autonomous vehicles safely and lawfully to collect critical data on system performance and environmental factors.
• Interact professionally with riders, engineers, and company operations leaders to provide feedback and insights.
• Monitor vehicle performance and conduct in-field testing to ensure operational safety.
• Prepare vehicles daily for in-field operations, including safety checks and system readiness.
• Submit detailed reports to support system advancements and operational improvements.
• Be prepared for the actions of other drivers and pedestrians as well as for unexpected events.
• Be alert and distraction-free while in vehicles.

What you'll need

• Experience as an autonomous vehicle operator, driving instructor, motorsports racer, or in another role that demands strong safety awareness and exceptional driving skills. Any prior driving experience (e.g., Uber or similar) should be clearly listed on the resume submitted for this role.
• A valid U.S. driving license for the last 3+ years.
• Must have a clean driving record with no DUIs, drug, and/or alcohol-related offenses within the last 5 years.
• Able to anticipate hazardous situations and act quickly and safely, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others when operating a motor vehicle.
• Have a thorough knowledge of local traffic regulations.
• Excellent communication skills and a strong attention to detail.
• A willingness to work in various weather conditions and comfortable driving on different types of roads.
• Takes ownership with a high level of responsibility.
• Drivers check, background check and drug test completed prior to start.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of vehicle technology and control systems.
• Certification from safe driving or defensive driving courses.
• Additional courses in Safety Driving or Defensive Driving.

Benefits

• Pre‑tax commuter benefits.
• Employer subsidized healthcare benefits through our 3rd party employer of record partner.
• Flexible Spending Account for healthcare-related costs.
• Short and long-term disability and life insurance through our 3rd party employer of record partner.
• 401(k) package.

Commitment

This is a full-time, ongoing contract position staffed through our trusted Employer of Record partner, who manages payroll, benefits, and local compliance on our behalf. You will work day-to-day with the Avride team and be fully integrated into our culture and operations. This job is onsite and available to candidates local to the Austin, Texas area.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Avride values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor visas. Candidates are required to be authorized to work in the U.S. The employer is not offering relocation sponsorship, and remote work options are not available. Avride is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities to ensure they have equal access to employment opportunities. Avride complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with the application or hiring process, or to perform the essential functions of a job, please email [e-mail].