Autonomous Vehicle Operator, South San Francisco (PM Shift, 12-Month Duration)

This is a temporary, full-time position with full benefits, expected to last 12 months from hire. The role is based on-site in South San Francisco, CA 94080, with the first 2 weeks of training in Santa Clara, CA 95054.

About the Company

Nuro believes self-driving vehicles are the most immediate and profound opportunity for AI to drive positive change in the physical world. Founded in 2016, Nuro is a physical AI company developing Level 4 autonomous driving technology for a wide range of vehicles, use cases, and markets. Powered by the Nuro Driver™, our universal autonomy platform enables the global mobility ecosystem to deploy autonomy at scale. With years of real-world deployment experience, Nuro is working toward a future where millions of autonomous vehicles powered by our technology help make everyday life safer, easier, and more connected. Nuro has raised over $2B in capital from leading investors including Uber, NVIDIA, Google, Softbank, and Fidelity.

About the Role

Our operations team is growing, and we are looking for Autonomous Vehicle Operators (AVOs) to join us. In this role, you will operate our autonomous test vehicles, which run proprietary software and hardware, while helping train our self-driving technology. Professionalism, care, and personal accountability are critical, as you will adhere to a culture of safety and high standards of conduct. You will need to pass multiple training checkpoints both in and out of the vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Operate a vehicle in manual and autonomous mode up to 8 hours per day in diverse traffic conditions while adhering to proper safety and operational driving procedures.
• Utilize proprietary software to collect data in real-world situations and provide detailed, accurate feedback to engineers.
• Troubleshoot operational issues in real time and collaborate with the Mission Operations (dispatch) team to resolve them quickly and meet mileage collection targets.
• Conduct daily vehicle inspection checks before and after missions.
• Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, including washing vehicles and inflating tires.
• Occasionally interact with the public to educate them on autonomous vehicle technologies and behaviors.
• Serve as a company ambassador by safely conducting high-profile ridealongs for senior leadership, investors, and engineers, balancing safe operations with professional communication.
• Monitor onboard safety and navigational systems while maintaining constant situational awareness and adherence to safety protocols.

Requirements

• Able to reliably work 5 days a week on one of the following shifts:
  • Afternoon/Evening: 2:00pm–10:30pm PT (Thu–Mon)
  • Afternoon/Evening: 2:00pm–10:30pm PT (Fri–Tue)
  • Afternoon/Evening: 2:00pm–10:30pm PT (Sat–Wed)
• Current valid California driver’s license with 3+ years of US driving experience.
• Clean driving record; must pass a criminal background check and drug test.
• Passion for learning about processes and autonomous vehicles.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) and comfort using modern collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Google Meet).
• Comfortable operating standard field equipment, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
• Strong problem-solving skills; ability to remain calm and resourceful under pressure.
• Strong collaboration and time management skills; ability to work independently or in small groups without direct supervision.
• Self-driven, goal-oriented, and adaptable to frequent changes and evolving conditions.
• Proven record of reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance.

Working Conditions

• Sitting for 3 to 4 hours at a time for up to 8 hours per day in an enclosed vehicle, alone or occasionally with a co-driver.
• Bending, squatting, stretching, and lifting up to 25 pounds on a regular basis.
• Side and up/down movement of the head, neck, back, and shoulders necessary to operate a vehicle safely.
• Working in a vehicle that may brake, swerve, slow, or stop abruptly.
• Holding and grasping with hands and frequent use of foot/feet to operate foot pedals.

Pay

The reasonably expected base hourly rate for this position is $27/hour for the Afternoon/Evening shift. Employees will receive a weekend differential for hours worked on Saturdays and Sundays, in addition to their base hourly rate. You may also be eligible for a discretionary biannual contract completion bonus based on company and individual performance.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Daily meal reimbursement.
• Paid time off in addition to limited company holidays.