$34/hr - Advanced Autonomous Vehicle Operator

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About the Role

We’re hiring an Autonomous Vehicle Test Operator to support on-road testing and validation for our client’s autonomous vehicle program in Atwater, California. This role is hands-on and mission-critical: you’ll operate test vehicles, support software and hardware validation, help prepare vehicles and equipment for testing, and document issues and observations with precision. The work is fast-moving, safety-sensitive, and highly cross-functional.

You’ll collaborate with engineering and operations partners across areas such as computer vision, infrastructure, sound, strategy, vehicle engineering, and ride operations. When needed, this role also serves as a public-facing representative of our client, so clear communication and professionalism matter. Feedback from the field is shared back to internal teams through written and verbal reporting, documentation, metrics capture, and escalation to the test coordinator.

Core Attributes

Safety Discipline: You keep safety at the center of every task, decision, and driving action.
Technical Curiosity: You are comfortable learning complex systems and asking smart questions to understand how they work.
Composure Under Change: You stay steady and effective when plans shift, issues emerge, or test conditions change quickly.
Operational Reliability: You follow documented procedures, stay organized, and execute consistently with minimal supervision.
Clear Communication: You provide accurate written and verbal feedback that helps technical teams diagnose and improve system performance.
Troubleshooting Mindset: You can identify issues, investigate root causes, and escalate appropriately when something is off.
Team-First Mentality: You collaborate well across functions and step into different support roles as needed to keep missions moving.

Responsibilities

• Operate and complete test missions on the autonomous vehicle platform.

• Maintain strong safety awareness at all times and contribute input to improve processes.

• Support software deployment and other key software operation tasks.

• Prepare vehicles and equipment for testing and mission readiness.

• Execute software and hardware test activities as directed.

• Support missions in a variety of roles both in and out of the vehicle.

• Monitor devices and test systems during operations and troubleshoot issues.

• Assist with documentation, metrics capture, data acquisition, and annotation.

• Provide accurate written and verbal feedback to engineering teams.

• Perform basic preventative maintenance checks, services, and minor repair support.

• Provide logistical support for vehicle and equipment movement and storage.

• Follow documented procedures and escalate issues to the test coordinator when needed.

• Drive approximately 4–8 hours per day with safety as the top priority.

• Support day, night, and weekend work as assigned.

Qualifications for Success

Minimum Requirements:

• Experience working with and troubleshooting complex technical systems.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Proactive mindset and resourcefulness.

• Ability to maintain composure during frequent changes or unexpected disruptions.

• Proven ability to work with little supervision, solve problems, and meet deadlines.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Reliable transportation to and from test sites.

• Excellent driving history.

• No criminal history.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in a technical discipline such as Engineering, IT, or another STEM field.

• Previous experience in autonomous vehicles, automotive, or aviation.

• Previous military experience.

• Experience working in a Linux environment.

Working Environment

Work Environment: In-person
Location: Atwater, CA
Schedule: Full time (contract)
Available Shifts:

• Friday–Tuesday, 3:00 PM–11:30 PM

• Sunday–Thursday, 11:00 PM–7:30 AM
  Training Schedule:

• Friday–Tuesday shift training: Monday–Friday, 3:00 PM–11:30 PM

• Sunday–Thursday shift training: TBD

About Our Client

Our client is building fully autonomous, all-electric ride-hailing technology centered around a purpose-built robotaxi experience. The company’s broader approach combines vehicle design, autonomous driving technology, and fleet operations to support a new model of urban mobility. This role contributes to the testing and operational readiness work required to support that mission. The environment is highly cross-functional and connected to real-world vehicle validation and service readiness.

Our Commitment to You

Ami Arroyo Recruiting is a specialized recruiting partner focused on autonomous vehicles and physical AI. We support the operational ecosystem that makes this technology real—vehicle operations, safety, fleet and field teams, technicians and mechanics, learning and development, customer support, and the behind-the-scenes HR and operations roles that keep programs running. We connect talented people with high-impact work—and we keep the process human, clear, and candidate-centered.

Bring your safety mindset, technical discipline, and on-road judgment to help shape the future of autonomous mobility!

Equal Opportunity and Work Eligibility

We embrace diversity and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to protected status. While we are not able to sponsor visas at this time, we welcome every candidate eligible to work in the United States to connect with us.