Autonomous Vehicle Test Operator

The Company

Outrider is a software company that is automating distribution yards with electric, self-driving trucks. Our system eliminates manual tasks that are hazardous and repetitive while it improves safety and efficiency. Outrider’s mission is to drive the rapid adoption of sustainable freight transportation. We are a private company founded in 2018 and backed by NEA, 8VC, Koch Disruptive Technologies, NVIDIA, and other top-tier investors. Our customers are Fortune 200 companies and our autonomous trucks are already running in distribution yards. For more information, visit www.outrider.ai

The Role

The Autonomous Vehicle Test Operator reports to the Shift Manager and is responsible for safely testing, operating, and monitoring Outrider’s autonomous vehicle system. This role ensures AVs in manual, partial, or full automation are operated safely by identifying risks, intervening when needed, and returning vehicles to a minimum-risk state.

Operators closely observe vehicle performance both in-cab and through a software-based monitoring tool. The role requires sharp focus, quick decision-making, and a safety-first mindset. It is essential to advancing Outrider’s automation technology and delivering a safety-critical system for large-scale distribution yards.

Available Shifts:

• First Shift: Monday - Thursday, 3:00PM - 1:30AM

Duties and Responsibilities

• Safely operate vehicles, either in the cab or remotely via a web-based dispatching/monitoring user interface. 
• Be a steward of the safety mindset: conduct daily on-site safety inspections of the trucks, equipment, and area, and proactively propose safety improvements
• Use keen judgement to determine appropriate on-the-spot responses to vehicle performance and safety issues
• Provide insightful and thorough verbal and/or written test reports on system performance - including vehicle and system data and/or observations related to automated driving system development - for Engineering, Customer Operations, Technical Operations and Executive team members
• Perform preventative maintenance checks, and services on autonomous vehicles, including but not limited to, preparation, installation, and maintenance of vehicle hardware
• Assist commercial, operations, and engineering teams in root-cause analysis of issues found during operation
• Perform minor repairs under the direction of the engineering staff and/or in accordance with OEM repair instructions
• Communicate issues and subjective performance to the AV Dispatchers, Test Operations Lead and peers on the Engineering Teams
• Comply with established safety rules, policies, and procedures, including wearing required safety equipment
• Demonstrate Outrider's values by supporting a positive and engaging work environment.
• Perform other tasks as assigned
• Be flexible around occasional travel to perform fieldwork, depending on customer locations and needs (up to 20%)

Required Qualifications

• Desire and ability to understand Outrider’s autonomous vehicle system and technology through the constant reading of documentation and Q&A with colleagues
• Ability to back a trailer into a dock spot or parking spot. 
• Clean driving record for the past 5 years
• Flexibility for day, night, and/or weekend work, as needed (and sometimes on short notice)
• Unwavering focus on safety and helping to explore and implement system improvements
• Facility with desktop software and web applications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Contagious energy and positivity in relationships and interactions

Ideal Qualifications

• Experience testing reliability or durability of robotic systems, autonomous vehicles, or other automated distribution yard products
• Understanding of the software development life cycle, modern software/hardware/system testing methods, and continuous integration
• Experience working in a highly talented R&D or engineering environment
• Familiarity and comfort with IT software packages such as MS Office, Google Suite, Linux and command-line interface/CLI
• CDL-A license

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly Wage: $22.00 - $25.27
• Equity: Equity package commensurate on experience and skills
• Benefits: Full health benefits
• Actual compensation is based on several factors, including but not limited to job-related skills, qualifications, experience, and specific work location due to differences in the cost of labor

This role is primarily based in a warehouse setting with regular exposure to varying environmental conditions such as heat, cold, rain, and snow. This position involves regular exposure to moderate noise levels typical of a warehouse environment, including machinery and vehicle operations. Employees will be working around autonomous trucks and must be comfortable operating in an industrial environment. 

Physical requirements include:

• Ascending and descending in and out of trucks
• Lifting and transporting supplies as needed
• Using hand tools such as screwdrivers and wrenches
• Cleaning and maintaining work areas with supplies such as brooms
• Performing tasks that may require standing, walking, bending, twisting, or reaching for extended periods