Vehicle Operator - Palo Alto, CA

Kett Engineering Corporation; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 30,307 - 41,328; Full time

Job summary

Kett Engineering Corporation is seeking Vehicle Operators in Palo Alto to join our Test and Development team. You will operate, drive, troubleshoot, and evaluate prototype test vehicles, providing development feedback to engineers.

Duties include vehicle prep, safety inspections, and documenting results. Responsibilities include safe operation up to 8 hours daily, data collection, and reporting; you will train new operators and assist the team with tasks as needed.

Qualifications

• Prior professional automotive driving or autonomous vehicle experience.
• Self-motivated, organized, and demonstrate good judgment in a fast-paced, high-stress environment.
• Attention to detail and ability to describe events quickly and concisely.
• Good command of English with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in using a smartphone, laptop, and Google Workspace.
• Smartphone within 3 model years of current year.
• Ability to drive safely in all conditions and alone or with a partner for 6–8 hours/day.
• Overtime flexibility as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Willingness to travel up to two weeks maximum.
• Must pass an MVR background check and onsite road test examination.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate test vehicles in varying conditions up to 8 hours/day.
• Perform vehicle prep and basic inspections before/after driving.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues.
• Collect data via data acquisition systems.
• Prepare clear post-drive reports and tickets; escalate to engineers as needed.
• Assist with training new vehicle operators.
• Complete additional tasks as required by the team.

Skills

Automotive driving experience

Self-motivation

Attention to detail

English communication

Google Workspace proficiency

Smartphone usage

Driving 6–8 hours

Overtime flexibility

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Willingness to travel

MVR/background check

Tools

Google Workspace

Smartphone

Job description

Job Details

Location: Palo Alto, CA 94304
Salary: $26.00 per hour

Role Overview

Our Test and Development team is growing and we are looking for Vehicle Operators. In this role, you will operate, drive, troubleshoot, and evaluate our prototype test vehicles, documenting product development feedback to our engineers. Duties include operating test vehicles statically, driving on public roads or private test facilities, conducting safety inspections, and performing specialized test procedures.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate test vehicles in a wide range of testing conditions up to 8 hours/day
• Perform vehicle prep work, including basic vehicle inspections and diagnostics before and after driving
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues
• Collect data via data acquisition systems
• Complete clear, concise, and detailed post‑drive reports and online tickets, working with and escalating to engineers as necessary
• Assist with training new vehicle operators
• Complete additional work and tasks as needed by the team

Qualifications

• Prior professional automotive driving or autonomous vehicle experience
• Self‑motivated, organized, and demonstrate good judgment in a fast‑paced, high‑stress environment
• Attention to detail and ability to describe events quickly and concisely
• Good command of the English language with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in using a smartphone, laptop, and Google Workspace
• Smartphone within 3 model years of the current year
• Ability to drive safely in all conditions and alone or with a partner for 6–8 hours/day
• Flexibility to work overtime as needed
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Willingness to travel, up to a two‑week maximum
• Must be able to pass an MVR background check and onsite road test examination

Critical Skills

• Safety – Abides by, promotes, and acknowledges all safety practices in keeping with high safety standards
• Communications – Provides information and receives feedback in a concise, accurate, and detailed manner
• Dependability – Displays ability to successfully and satisfactorily complete assigned tasks
• Cooperation – Exhibits characteristics of an effective team member focused on a common goal, promoting the development of like qualities in others
• Initiative and Resourcefulness – Possesses initiative to take effective action, anticipate needs, and perform in accordance with resources provided
• Flexibility – Willing and able to expand the scope of responsibilities as required by the business environment
• Commitment – Accepts assigned tasks with an objective of delivering quality results
• Dedication – Demonstrates the ability to consistently perform all responsibilities with integrity
• Role Model – Serves as an example for Kett’s Vision and Values
• Result Oriented – Accomplishes performance targets established by Kett and the customer

If you qualify, please send your resume and apply by going to the APPLY NOW form in the upper right-hand corner of this screen.