Test & Evaluation Operator

Socket.dev; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Equity awards

Health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vis

Parental leave

PTO

401(k) or RRSP options

HSA options

Drinks, snacks, and catered meals

Team events

Country-specific benefits

Job summary

Waabi, a leader in Physical AI, seeks experienced Vehicle Operators for hands-on testing of autonomous platforms across closed courses and public roads in Pittsburgh. You will conduct V&V testing, document precise observations, and ensure safety with driver override responses while following FMCSA and DOT protocols.

Travel to partner proving grounds is required. Qualified candidates will have CDL Class A, current Medical Examiner's Certificate, and 4+ years on autonomous or ADAS-equipped

Qualifications

• CDL Class A with current Medical Examiner's Certificate and clean driving record.
• 4+ years on autonomous or ADAS-equipped Class 8 vehicles.
• Strong written communication; translate in-cab observations into actionable reports.
• Familiarity with closed-course and proving-ground protocols.
• Knowledge of FMCSA and DOT requirements (DVIR, Hours of Service, CVSA).

Responsibilities

• Operate Class 8 autonomous and manual vehicles on closed courses and public roads per Vehicle Operator standards.
• Own in-seat execution of platform V&V and release testing, including safety limits and driver override responses.
• Produce precise written evaluations to separate baseline from novel behavior for engineering action.
• Conduct vehicle dynamics and characterization campaigns, including offsite testing at partner proving grounds.
• Serve as qualified evaluator for operator certification with Knowledge and Proficiency.
• Check and clear operators onto the platform.
• Author and maintain platform-specific operator documentation (start-up/shutdown sequences, known behaviors, SOP input).
• Ensure compliance read on new platforms with DOT and CVSA requirements.
• Train operators on new platforms and transfer knowledge between sites before handover.
• Escalate safety findings and halt testing when warranted; document the rationale.
• Travel to other sites and partner proving grounds as required.

Skills

Vehicle operation

Autonomy platforms

Technical aptitude

Written communication

Safety culture

Flexibility

Travel readiness

Job description

Waabi, founded by AI visionary Raquel Urtasun, is the leader in Physical AI. With a world‑class team, we’re unlocking the next era of autonomous transportation with technology that’s powering commercial autonomous trucks and robotaxis. Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech.

With offices in Toronto, San Francisco, Dallas, and Pittsburgh, Waabi is growing quickly and looking for diverse, innovative and collaborative candidates who want to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai

You will…

• Operate Class 8 autonomous and manual vehicles on closed course and public roads, to the full Vehicle Operator standard.
• Own in‑seat execution of platform V&V and release testing including testing safety assurance limits, driver override response, supervised autonomy stability, and fault injection.
• Produce written evaluations precise enough for engineering to act on, separating baseline from novel behavior and stating whether it reproduces.
• Execute vehicle dynamics and characterization campaigns - tire evaluation, trailer stability, axle-weight verification - including offsite testing at partner proving grounds.
• Serve as the qualified evaluator for operator certification: administer Knowledge and Proficiency
• Checks and clear operators onto a platform.
• Author and maintain platform-specific operator documentation - start‑up and shutdown sequences, known‑behavior references, SOP input.
• Own the DOT and CVSA compliance read on new platforms.
• Train operators on new platforms and move platform knowledge between sites ahead of any handover.
• Escalate safety-relevant findings and stop testing when equipment or vehicle behavior warrants it. Document the basis for that call.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years as a Vehicle Operator, commercial test driver, or in a technically equivalent Class 8 operations role, including 4 years on autonomous or ADAS-equipped vehicles.
• CDL Class A, current Medical Examiner's Certificate, and a clean driving record, background check, and drug screen.
• Strong technical aptitude with autonomy platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to characterize vehicle behavior precisely: consistent versus intermittent, reproducible versus one‑off, with conditions and magnitude rather than impressions.
• Strong written communication skills, translating in‑cab observation into reports operations, engineering and safety can act on without follow‑up.
• Demonstrated familiarity with closed‑course and proving‑ground protocols, including edge‑case and failure‑mode testing.
• Solid understanding of FMCSA and DOT requirements for test and development vehicles — DVIR, Hours of Service, DOT annual inspection, CVSA out‑of‑service criteria, and 49 CFR Parts 393 and 396.
• Experience training, coaching, or certifying other commercial drivers is highly desirable.
• CVSA Enhanced Pre‑trip certification, Proving ground experience or licenses, a strong plus.
• Comfort maintaining written documentation and willingness to learn the team's reporting tooling.
• Passion for self‑driving technologies, solving hard problems, and building a culture of safety and operational excellence.
• Ability to work flexible shifts, including days, nights, and weekends.
• Travel to other operational sites and partner proving grounds will be required.

Perks/Benefits:

• Competitive compensation and equity awards.
• Health and wellness benefits encompassing Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Paid parental, medical and family care leave.
• Generous PTO Policy.
• Retirement savings plans including 401(k) or RRSP options.
• Health savings account contribution options.
• Daily drinks, snacks, and catered meals (when in office).
• Regularly scheduled team building activities and social events both on‑site, off‑site & virtually.
• Additional benefits are offered and tailored to specific country locations.
• As we grow, this list continues to evolve!

Waabi is a technology start‑up building technologies to transform the way the world moves. Join our talented team to be a part of the future and to make an impact!

Waabi is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive, and accessible workplace for all our employees. We seek applicants of all backgrounds and identities, across race, color, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, caregiver status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We make workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please let our recruiting team know.