Staff Safety Research Scientist

Pittsburgh Robotics Network; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 171,000 - 273,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora is seeking a Staff Safety Research Scientist to join our Safety Organization. You will transform data into actionable safety insights, shape safety strategy, and contribute to industry-leading studies and frameworks.

You will collaborate across Legal, Government Relations, Software, Hardware, System Safety, Operations, and Communications, leveraging advanced statistics and modern software development. Hybrid work with in-office days.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in data science, statistics, math, physics, engineering, CS or equivalent technical experience.
• 7+ years of progressive experience solving large-scale complex problems.
• Experience in risk modeling, probabilistic analysis, and complex decision systems.
• Deep command of statistical methods; adept at querying, analyzing, and visualizing large datasets.
• Proficiency in Python for data science; familiarity with R or similar tools is a plus.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to convey complex information to various audiences.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to mentor and guide teams.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a cross-functional team; project lead experience.
• Experience working in safety and/or risk; portfolio of publications or presentations.

Responsibilities

• Author and present technical analyses and findings to diverse internal and external audiences, including senior leadership and industry forums.
• Lead development of novel quantitative data analytics using Aurora-logged data and public datasets (CRSS, FARS, state information).

Skills

Python for data science

Data analysis

Leadership

Communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Data Science or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

AWS

DBT

SQL

Job description

Who We Are

Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly.

Who We Are

Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly. The Aurora Driver will create a new era in mobility and logistics, one that will bring a safer, more efficient, and more accessible future to everyone. At Aurora, you will tackle massively complex problems alongside other passionate, intelligent individuals, growing as an expert while expanding your knowledge. For the latest news from Aurora, visit aurora.tech or follow us on LinkedIn. We are searching for a Staff Safety Research Scientist to join Aurora's Safety Organization. Working with the Safety Analysis team, you will transform data into actionable insights and new knowledge. You will leverage expertise in data science to champion both safety research and practice. Your work will directly shape safety strategy, program execution, and external communications; including the development of industry-leading, benchmark safety studies and frameworks. This role demands someone comfortable with advanced statistical methods and modern software development, paired with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. You will be supported by a team of industry experts, and have access to real operational autonomous truck data, at scale. You will partner with Legal, Government Relations, Software, Hardware, System Safety, Operations, and Communications. Aurora was founded to deliver the benefits of self-driving safely, quickly, and broadly. Come join that mission.

In This Role, You Will

• Author and present technical analyses and findings to diverse internal and external audiences, including senior leadership, authoritative bodies, and industry forums
• Lead the development of novel quantitative data analytics using both proprietary (Aurora-logged, sensor, system, integration testing data) and publicly available data (CRSS, FARS, state-level information)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent applicable technical experience
• 7+ years of progressive experience solving large-scale complex problems
• Experience in risk modeling, probabilistic analysis, and complex decision systems
• Deep command of statistical methods. Adept at querying, analyzing, and visualizing large datasets
• Proficiency in Python for data science and statistical computing; familiarity with R or other statistical tools is a plus
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex information to various audiences
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to provide guidance and mentorship
• Ability to work independently, as part of a cross-functional team, or as a project lead
• Experience working in safety and/or risk
• Experience working in safety and/or risk
• A portfolio of publications and/or conference presentations

Desirable Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent applicable technical experience
• Familiarity with complex operational environments
• Proficient in working with advanced data transformation tools such as DBT
• Skilled in building and deploying using Amazon Web Services (AWS) tools
• Background in the Autonomous Vehicles, Aerospace, or Robotics domains

The base salary range for this position is $171,000 - $273,000 per year. Aurora’s pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. The successful candidate will also be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and benefits.

Working at Aurora

At Aurora, we bring together extraordinarily talented and experienced people united by the strength of our values. We operate with integrity, set outrageous goals, and build a culture where we win together — all without any jerks. We believe in-person work increases collaboration, empathy and our ability to lead effectively. As a result, we operate in a hybrid work environment where Aurorans are in office at least 3 days per week. Our Careers page provides insight into what it is like to work at Aurora, and you can find all the latest updates in our Newsroom.

Our commitment to safety

At the core of everything we do is our commitment to safety. Building best‑in‑class self-driving technology will take time, and we believe that each employee at Aurora has a role in contributing to safety, every step of the way. Aurora expects commitment to our safety policies from every employee, and seeks candidates who take an active responsibility, can contribute to building an atmosphere of trust, and invest in the organization’s long-term success by prioritizing working safely, no matter what.

Our commitment to inclusion

Aurora considers candidates without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, parent or caregiver status, ancestry, political affiliation, veteran and/or military status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law. Aurora considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

For California applicants, information collected and processed as part of your application and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Aurora’s California Employment Privacy Policy.