Test & Evaluation Operator

You will…

• Operate Class 8 autonomous and manual vehicles on closed course and public roads, to the full Vehicle Operator standard.
• Own in-seat execution of platform V&V and release testing including testing safety assurance limits, driver override response, supervised autonomy stability, and fault injection.
• Produce written evaluations precise enough for engineering to act on, separating baseline from novel behavior and stating whether it reproduces.
• Execute vehicle dynamics and characterization campaigns - tire evaluation, trailer stability, axle-weight verification - including offsite testing at partner proving grounds.
• Serve as the qualified evaluator for operator certification: administer Knowledge and Proficiency
• Checks and clear operators onto a platform.
• Author and maintain platform-specific operator documentation - start-up and shutdown sequences, known-behavior references, SOP input.
• Own the DOT and CVSA compliance read on new platforms.
• Train operators on new platforms and move platform knowledge between sites ahead of any handover.
• Escalate safety-relevant findings and stop testing when equipment or vehicle behavior warrants it. Document the basis for that call.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years as a Vehicle Operator, commercial test driver, or in a technically equivalent Class 8 operations role, including 4 years on autonomous or ADAS-equipped vehicles.
• CDL Class A, current Medical Examiner's Certificate, and a clean driving record, background check, and drug screen.
• Strong technical aptitude with autonomy platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to characterize vehicle behavior precisely: consistent versus intermittent, reproducible versus one-off, with conditions and magnitude rather than impressions.
• Strong written communication skills, translating in-cab observation into reports operations, engineering and safety can act on without follow-up.
• Demonstrated familiarity with closed-course and proving-ground protocols, including edge-case and failure-mode testing.
• Solid understanding of FMCSA and DOT requirements for test and development vehicles - DVIR, Hours of Service, DOT annual inspection, CVSA out-of-service criteria, and 49 CFR Parts 393 and 396.
• Experience training, coaching, or certifying other commercial drivers is highly desirable.
• CVSA Enhanced Pre-trip certification, Proving ground experience or licenses, a strong plus.
• Comfort maintaining written documentation and willingness to learn the team's reporting tooling.
• Passion for self-driving technologies, solving hard problems, and building a culture of safety and operational excellence.
• Ability to work flexible shifts, including days, nights, and weekends.
• Travel to other operational sites and partner proving grounds will be required.

Day Shift Schedule and Flexibility:

Base shift: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM MT. Day shift crews are expected to be flexible.