Vehicle Operations Specialist

Aurora; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora is seeking a Vehicle Operations Specialist for a 12-month assignment with opportunities to extend. You will operate autonomous semi trucks across on-road and closed-course tests, delivering real-time insights to engineers while maintaining strict safety practices.

Roles include day and night shifts, potential weekend work, and in-vehicle work for up to 80% of shift time. The position emphasizes collaboration across teams and ambassadorial interactions with the public.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills and safety-focused approach.
• Ability to prioritize and make strategic decisions.
• Willingness to learn every day and adapt to changing conditions.
• Ability to monitor cutting-edge software on a laptop while in motion.
• Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and driving history.
• MVR guidelines must be satisfied and pre-employment drug testing required.

Responsibilities

• Safely copilot autonomous semi trucks for on-road and closed-course testing.
• Monitor Aurora Driver and provide real-time feedback to engineers.
• Log real-time feedback and data during testing.
• Provide out-of-vehicle support for structured track testing.

Skills

Excellent communication

Safety focus

Decision making

Willingness to learn

Laptops & data logging

Driver's license (US)

Travel up to 50%

Rotating shifts & overtime

In-vehicle work

MVR background check

Tools

Google Workspace

Command line interface

Job description

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.

What We Are Looking For

Step into the future of transportation as a Vehicle Operations Specialist. You will be at the very forefront of our technology, executing critical on-road and closed-course testing across our autonomous fleet. With safety as your top priority, your hands-on experience and real-time feedback will be delivered directly to our engineers, measurably shaping the development of our self-driving technology.

Employment Type: This is a 12-month assignment with the potential to extend.

Schedule: We are currently hiring for multiple shifts pending location, including both day and night shifts. Please note that shift days may include weekends.

In this role, you will

• Safely copilot autonomous semi trucks for on road and closed course testing in service of our development and commercial pilot operations
• Remain alert and attentive while monitoring the Aurora Driver during extended stretches of autonomy
• Log real time feedback regarding autonomy and platform performance during testing, to be delivered to engineers
• Provide out-of-vehicle support for structured track testing, including operating passenger vehicles and other equipment to execute tests across the track network
• Escalate operational blockers with suggested solutions
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams throughout Aurora to help drive progress on Aurora’s mission
• Demonstrate positive impact at Aurora by working on cross-functional projects as time permits
• Maintain up to date knowledge of how our self-driving technology works. Understand daily software and operational changes.
• Work toward quantitative and qualitative goals that impact all of Vehicle Operations and Aurora
• Interact with the public as an ambassador for Aurora

Required Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Keen attention to detail and consistent focus on safety
• Ability to prioritize and make strategic decisions proactively
• Willingness to learn every day
• Ability to monitor cutting edge software on a laptop and type in a moving vehicle, for extended periods of time
• Ability to use laptops and tablets to launch test missions, monitor real-time data feeds, and enter detailed digital logs.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license with at least 5 years of driving history
• Driving record must pass Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) guidelines
• Must pass pre-employment, post-incident, and randomized drug testing
• Is at least 25 years of age
• Ability to travel up to 50% or as needed
• Ability to work rotating shifts as needed, and regular overtime and weekends
• 80% of shift time spent in vehicle (vehicle as office)

Desired Qualifications

• Inquisitive attitude, interested in problem solving and solving puzzles
• Experience in operations, technology, customer service, or automotive field.
• Experience working in a collaborative environment - team player
• Proficient in Google Workspace Products (Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets)
• Command line interface experience
• Interest and aptitude for technology tools - apps, gaming, adobe creative suite, etc.

The base hourly wage range for this position is $27.50 - $33.50 per hour. 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 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, Aurorans are expected to work from the office at least 3 days per week, with some roles requiring more frequent in-office presence, up to 5 days per week, based on operational needs.

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.