Vehicle Operator II, Autonomy Systems Validation

Socket.dev; Wittmann (AZ); On-site; USD 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian is seeking skilled Vehicle Operators for its Autonomy Systems Validation team to test prototype vehicles, gather data, and integrate development hardware and software. You will operate and troubleshoot vehicles with autonomous systems, document findings, and collaborate with hardware and software engineers on safety-critical testing.

Responsibilities include test driving, reporting, and performing OTA software updates while complying with safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Prior professional automotive driving or autonomous vehicle testing experience.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.
• Ability to drive safely in all conditions, including autonomous vehicles, for 6-8 hours daily.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate test vehicles, including autonomous systems, in diverse conditions for up to 8 hours/day.
• Perform vehicle prep work: inspections, diagnostics, and setting up autonomous testing scenarios.
• Conduct tests and provide detailed feedback on performance, safety, and issues.

Skills

Autonomous vehicle testing

Vehicle operation

Data collection

Troubleshooting hardware

Safety protocols

OTA software updates

Tools

Google Docs

Google Sheets

Google Maps

Job description

About Rivian

Rivianis on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.

As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Role Summary

Our Autonomy Systems Validation’s team is expanding, and we are looking for skilled Vehicle Operators with a focus on autonomous vehicle testing, data collection, and integration of development hardware and software. In this role, you will be responsible for operating, driving, troubleshooting, and evaluating our prototype test vehicles, including those equipped with autonomous systems, and documenting product development feedback for our engineering teams. This involves testing vehicles on public roads and private facilities, executing safety protocols, and performing specialized test procedures. You’ll also work with hardware and software engineering teams as needed to help troubleshoot and debug software and hardware systems.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate test vehicles, including autonomous systems, in a wide range of testing conditions for up to 8 hours/day
• Perform vehicle prep work, including basic vehicle inspections, diagnostics, and setting up autonomous testing scenarios or test trips.
• Conduct tests and provide detailed feedback on performance, safety, and issues.
• Complete clear, concise, and detailed post-drive reports and online tickets, working with and escalating to engineers as necessary.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues and aid engineers in debugging through system diagnostics and safety protocols.
• Perform and verify OTA software updates for vehicle systems.
• Collect and share data from vehicle and logging systems for engineering analysis.
• Additional work and tasks as needed by the team.

Qualifications

• Ability to travel up to 50%
• Prior professional automotive driving or autonomous vehicle testing experience.
• Ability to drive safely in all conditions, including operating autonomous vehicles, alone or with a partner for 6-8 hours a day.
• Self-motivated, organized, and capable of good judgment in a fast-paced, high-stress environment.
• Attention to detail, excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to describe events quickly and concisely.
• Proficiency using a smartphone, laptop, and Google tools (Docs, Sheets, Maps).
• Must be flexible to work overtime as needed.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Minimum age of 21.
• No driving related suspensions or revocation of Driver License (within a 3-5 year period).
• No drug or alcohol related driving incidents in the last 3 years.
• No more than 1 serious moving violation in the last 3 years.
• Must have a valid driver's license in the state of residence that you will be driving/operating a vehicle.
• Will be subject to continuous Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) monitoring.
• Availaiblity to work 2nd shift (4:30p - 1:00a, local time)

Bonus

• Experience with Jira.
• Experience driving 16 ft or larger vehicles.
• Valid Class A or B commercial driver’s license.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting and debugging software and hardware programs in vehicles.

Pay Disclosure

The Hourly pay range for this role is $28.25-$31.39/hour for Arizona based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.

The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than April 24, 2026.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at [e-mail].

Candidate Data Privacy and Technology

Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.

How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process

To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI-enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role.

AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate.

Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. Your current application remains active and will not be affected in any way.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.