Autonomous test specialist
About the Role
The Motion Planning team at a leading OEM is scaling its Pick Up / Drop Off (PUDO) and Depot Site enablement capabilities while expanding into new operational domains. In this contract role, you will work closely with Motion Planning engineers to accelerate development, testing, and validation workflows.
You will own the creation of simulation scenarios, manage vehicle testing activities, and serve as the first line of triage for test results. This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to autonomous vehicle development while building deep, hands-on robotics and autonomy expertise.
We are looking for someone who is organized, technically curious, and eager to learn. You will gain exposure to simulation infrastructure, on‑vehicle testing processes, and the real‑world challenges of deploying autonomous systems at scale. If you are passionate about self‑driving technology and want to make a tangible impact, we would love to hear from you.
Responsibilities
Create and specify simulation scenarios for PUDO and Depot site use cases, translating operational requirements into testable configurations.
Develop and maintain vehicle test plans, supporting both on‑site and off‑site testing to ensure comprehensive coverage of new site‑enablement features.
Manage test scheduling and coordination, working closely with vehicle operations teams to maximize testing efficiency.
Perform first‑pass triage of simulation and vehicle test results, identifying issues and categorizing them for engineering review and resolution.
Document test findings and identify opportunities to streamline test and validation processes.
Create clear reports that help autonomy engineers quickly understand test outcomes, risks, and regressions.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical field
(or equivalent practical experience)
Ability and willingness to travel for test support
Familiarity with scripting languages, preferably Python, for automation and data analysis
Strong organizational skills, with experience managing schedules or coordinating technical workflows
Ability to learn new tools and systems quickly
Clear written and verbal communication skills for documenting findings and collaborating with engineers
Bonus Qualifications
Experience working with simulation environments or game engines
Exposure to robotics, automotive systems, or autonomous vehicles
Familiarity with version control systems (Git) and issue tracking tools (JIRA or similar)
Experience in test engineering, QA, verification, or validation
Understanding of basic vehicle dynamics or motion planning concepts
Additional Details
Engineering Levels: L1 – L3
Number of Openings: 5
Work Location: Onsite (Bay Area, Austin, or Miami)
Contract Duration: ~10 months (anticipated March–December, starting ASAP)
