Autonomous Vehicle Operator

Location: Santa Clara, CA 95054

Work arrangement: Full-time, on-site

Employment type: 12-month temporary assignment

Pay: $27.00-$33.25 per hour, Based on shift and day of week, details in compensation section

Plus benefits and eligibility for additional incentives

Schedule: Fixed shifts selected when you apply

Shifts available:

Overnight: 10pm-6:30am PT

What to Expect

At Nuro, safety is our guiding principle and our promise—every mile matters as we drive autonomy forward. As an Autonomous Vehicle Operator, you bring this commitment to life through the care, judgment, and accountability you demonstrate on every drive.

You’ll play a critical role in advancing self-driving technology by operating test vehicles in manual and autonomous modes for up to eight hours a day across a variety of real-world traffic and road conditions. You’ll use Nuro’s software and equipment to collect data and provide detailed feedback that helps our engineering teams build safer, more reliable self-driving technology.

About Nuro

Nuro believes self-driving vehicles are the most immediate and profound opportunity for AI to drive positive change in the physical world. Safer streets, more time for what matters, and easier access to the world around us, that’s why we’re building a universal autonomy platform: self-driving for all roads and all rides.

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, from robotaxis and logistics fleets to personal vehicles.

With years of real-world deployment experience and a flexible, partner-led business model, 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 Uber, NVIDIA, Google, Softbank, Fidelity, T. Rowe Price, and other leading investors.

What You’ll Do

Drive Nuro test vehicles in manual and autonomous modes for up to eight hours a day while following all safety and driving procedures

Monitor the vehicle’s safety, navigation, and driving systems while staying alert to traffic, pedestrians, bicyclists, weather, and road conditions

Collect real-world driving data using Nuro’s cutting-edge software and share feedback with engineers

Complete vehicle checks before and after each shift, report problems, and perform basic upkeep such as washing vehicles and checking tire pressure

Troubleshoot operational issues and coordinate with Mission Operations (dispatch) to resolve problems safely

Use laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other tools to complete reports and document your work

Occasionally speak with members of the public or support ridealongs for company leaders, investors, engineers, and other guests

To be considered, you’ll need to

Always practice safe driving and follow detailed procedures

Be available five days per week on the fixed shift you select when you apply

Meet the driving-record requirements below, following a conditional offer of employment, and pass a background check and drug screen conducted in accordance with applicable law

Stay focused and observant while sitting and driving for long periods

Communicate clearly in writing and verbally, and be comfortable using modern online collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Google Meet, or similar)

Stay calm, solve problems, and work independently

Maintain reliable attendance and arrive on time consistently

Working conditions and essential functions

Due to the nature of the position, this job requires:

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

Ability to work 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 when driving the vehicle

Pre-Employment Qualifications

Must have a current valid California driver’s license and have maintained a valid driver’s license for the three years immediately preceding application

Must pass a criminal background check and drug test, following a conditional offer of employment

Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act

Must have no more than one point on their driving record or one non-major moving violation in the preceding three years

Must have no conviction for, and no history of license suspension or revocation for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the past 10 years

Must never have been at fault in a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury or death

Must meet and maintain all applicable driving record requirements and qualify for an Autonomous Vehicle Tester (AVT) license where required by state law

Compensation and Benefits

Overnight shift pay: $28.25 per hour

Weekend differential: Employees will receive a $5 per hour weekend differential for hours worked on Saturdays and Sundays, in addition to their base hourly rate

Additional compensation: You may also be eligible for a discretionary contract completion bonus based on individual and company performance

Pay schedule: Paid every two weeks

Health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance beginning on day one

Paid time off: PTO is available, along with company holidays

Daily lunch reimbursement: All Nuro employees receive daily meal reimbursement

At Nuro, we celebrate differences and are committed to a diverse workplace that fosters inclusion and psychological safety for all employees. Nuro is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and expressly prohibits any form of workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.