Associate AV Test Engineer

Motional•Pittsburgh, PA

6h•$67,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Test Engineering team is responsible for validating the safety, functionality, and performance of self-driving technology through rigorous, system-level testing. As an Associate AV Test Engineer (Level 1), you will focus on the execution of daily test operations, initial fault triage, and accurate reporting across virtual, closed-course, and public road environments. Working under the guidance of lead and senior engineers, you will perform hands-on testing, isolate minor software and hardware defects, and assist in updating test artifacts. This entry-level role is designed for a detail-oriented technical candidate eager to build foundational expertise in autonomous systems validation, logging workflows, and system-level troubleshooting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Robotics, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a relevant technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
0–2 years of experience in software QA, hardware/systems testing, robotics projects, or engineering operations.
Basic proficiency in Linux environments and foundational scripting abilities in Python or Bash/Shell.
Familiarity with reading technical documentation, logs, and structured test procedures.
Strong analytical mindset with a structured approach to logical troubleshooting and defect isolation.
Clear written and verbal communication skills; ability to follow detailed operational instructions and learn quickly in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Basic exposure to automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet) or simulation tools (e.g., Applied Intuition, CARLA, IPG Carmaker).
Hands-on experience with hardware/mechatronic assembly, field testing, or academic robotics projects.

Responsibilities

Accountably execute daily AV testing operations diligently and accurately across virtual, synthetic, or physical environments as tasked by the lead engineer.
Perform independent troubleshooting for minor platform stability issues, clearly isolating and documenting the specific environmental conditions or triggers that caused the fault.
Isolate and document minor software or hardware defects with complete detail (including detailed reproduction steps, logs, and system environment data) to enable immediate action by senior staff or development teams.
Maintain high data integrity by conducting preliminary log analysis and preparing accurate, complete documentation within all assigned test run reports under supervision.
Create and update assigned components of test cases, test plans, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure operational best practices are up to date.
Proactively assist senior engineers in the design and development of test plans and validation strategies, focusing on absorbing system architecture and design rationale. Serve as a reliable resource supporting the execution efforts of the broader test team.
Efficiently and clearly communicate troubleshooting findings, log files, and initial analysis to the lead test engineer for prioritization and higher-level escalation.
Utilize platforms such as Jira, Confluence, and GitLab to document technical findings, track issues, and maintain test artifact traceability.