Vehicle Operations Specialist

Plusai; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Catered lunch

Unlimited snacks and beverages

401(k) plan

Competitive benefits

Job summary

PlusAI is seeking a Vehicle Operations Specialist in Fremont, CA to serve as the right-seat safety and testing operator for autonomous trucks. You will execute structured test missions on closed courses and public roads, work with engineering to validate performance, and provide precise feedback and debriefs.

You will independently set up missions, operate PlusAI vehicles, and communicate findings through in-house systems while maintaining safety and compliance in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience with AV structured testing across development, release, and production testing mission types.
• Ability to read and execute structured testing mission plans independently.
• Strong working knowledge of Linux at an autonomous testing operational level.
• Maintains composure and performance in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Responsible driver with a clean driving record and US driving experience.

Responsibilities

• Ride as the right-seat operator on all mission types and record in-vehicle performance.
• Set up complex test missions and execute them daily.
• Provide objective feedback on test results across in-house applications.
• Deliver detailed mission debriefs to engineering per processes.
• Communicate troubleshooting steps through internal systems.
• Follow processes precisely and adapt as priorities shift.
• Escalate issues through reporting channels and pause tests when needed.
• Collaborate with engineering on field experiments using PlusAI vehicles.

Skills

AV Testing

Mission Planning

Linux Proficiency

Safety Compliance

Communication

Education

BS/BA degree or equivalent

Tools

Linux

Python

Confluence

Google Docs

Google Slides

Job description

About the role:

As a Vehicle Operations Specialist, you'll serve as the right-seat safety and testing operator for PlusAI's autonomous trucks, executing structured test missions on both closed courses and public roads. You'll work closely with our engineering teams to validate vehicle performance, surface issues with precision, and help ensure every test is run safely and to spec. This role is hands-on and mission-critical - ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, safety-first environment and wants to be at the center of autonomous vehicle development.

What You'll Do

Ride as the right-seat operator on all mission types, actively recording, communicating, and summarizing in-vehicle performance.

Set up complex test missions correctly and consistently execute daily missions.

Deliver detailed, objective feedback on test results across all in-house applications, at both a high and granular level.

Provide clear, detail-oriented mission debriefs to engineering teams, following established debrief classification and testing processes.

Communicate troubleshooting steps efficiently through our support systems.

Follow existing and newly implemented processes precisely and consistently.

Exercise sound judgment - know when to decline a test and how to navigate difficult or ambiguous requests.

Speak up promptly, in person and through in-house applications, when issues arise.

Escalate testing issues through the appropriate reporting channels and know when to stop a test.

Stay open to tasks and projects outside your core daily responsibilities as priorities shift.

Partner closely with the engineering team to conduct field experiments.

Independently operate PlusAI vehicles and their systems on both closed courses and public roads.

Represent PlusAI professionally in public interactions, speaking knowledgeably about publicly available company information and goals.

Required Qualifications

Previous experience with AV structured testing across development, release, and production testing mission types.

Ability to read a structured testing mission plan, set up that mission type, and execute it independently.

Strong working knowledge of operating or scripting on a Linux system at an autonomous testing operational level.

Ability to maintain composure and perform well in a fast-paced, variable environment.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsible driver with a clean driving record.

At least 5 years of driving experience on U.S. roads.

BS/BA degree or equivalent experience preferred.

Willingness to travel occasionally.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience creating Operations content during downtime — training programs, Confluence pages, Google Docs, Google Slides, etc.

Solution-oriented thinker who works well through problem analysis.

Adaptable and innovative approach to new challenges.

Basic understanding of project implementation.

Strong presentation skills.

Your opportunities joining PlusAI

Work, learn and grow in a highly future-oriented, innovative and dynamic field.Wide range of opportunities for personal and professional development.Catered free lunch, unlimited snacks and beverages.Highly competitive salary and benefits package, including 401(k) plan.