Vehicle Operator II, Autonomy Systems Validation (1st Shift)

Rivian • Chicago, IL

5d

About The Position

The Vehicle Operator II plays a hands-on, operational, and instructional role in testing, safety validation, and ground support for Autonomy Systems Validation. Reporting to the Operations Coordinator, the role connects field-testing drivers with ground logistics and facilities. The successful candidate operates prototype vehicles on public roads and private test tracks, serves as an on-shift floor lead and driver trainer, oversees vehicle preparation and ground support, manages data offloading and shift handovers, and trains and coaches vehicle operators to support safe, effective testing. The position requires working first shift, from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Requirements

• At least two years of professional automotive driving, autonomous vehicle testing, or vehicle fleet operations experience, with demonstrated formal or informal experience coaching, mentoring, or training peers.
• Excellent interpersonal, coaching, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide constructive feedback and explain technical concepts simply.
• Ability to maintain focus while driving or monitoring autonomous systems for six to eight hours per day in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lift, maneuver, and move up to 50 pounds and remain active across shop floors, proving grounds, or field-testing sites.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% for off-site field-testing campaigns and flexibility to work overtime, non-standard shifts, or weekends as testing schedules require.
• Proficiency with laptops, smartphones, and enterprise collaboration tools such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Maps.
• Availability to work first shift, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Nice To Haves

• Formal experience as a Driver Trainer, Lead Safety Driver, or Operations Lead in autonomous vehicle testing, proving grounds, or commercial fleet environments.
• Hands-on experience with Jira, Confluence, or equivalent engineering ticketing platforms.
• Familiarity with Linux/Unix navigation, embedded software flashing, CAN networks, and hardware or electrical diagnostics.
• Prior experience testing or supporting Level 4 autonomous driving systems.

Responsibilities

• Help the Operations Coordinator prepare training materials, conduct onboarding, and provide hands-on driving and safety instruction to new vehicle operators.
• Evaluate operator performance and provide real-time coaching on disengagement protocols, defensive driving, and test procedures.
• Guide operators on operational workflows, logging procedures, software flashing methods, and vehicle preparation standards.
• Serve as the on-shift floor point of contact for driver questions and foster continuous learning, psychological safety, and open feedback.
• Safely operate prototype vehicles in autonomous, semi-autonomous, and manual modes across varied weather, traffic, and road conditions for up to eight hours daily.
• Maintain situational awareness and perform manual disengagements and safety interventions when needed.
• Perform defined test cases, specialized driving scenarios, and edge-case evaluations on public roads and closed-course test facilities.
• Assist with shift handovers, driver shift readiness, route assignments, and vehicle allocations.
• Conduct and supervise pre-trip and post-trip inspections, basic system checks, hardware setups, and sensor calibration and cleaning.
• Track vehicle health; coordinate maintenance and repair appointments with service technicians; and manage fleet charging logistics.
• Oversee end-of-shift data logging, manage onboard hardware, offload system data to local edge hardware or cloud servers, and verify transfer integrity.
• Maintain site and shop-floor readiness, test equipment, tooling, and sensor platforms for a safe and efficient testing environment.
• Perform basic system diagnostics, guide initial troubleshooting, and perform or verify over-the-air software updates.
• Identify and investigate hardware, software, and sensor anomalies; create detailed tickets in Jira or issue-tracking systems; and escalate critical issues to engineering teams.
• Write clear post-drive reports, operational logs, and safety feedback describing system behavior and edge cases.

Benefits

• Paid vacation
• Paid sick leave
• Life insurance
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan, subject to eligibility requirements
• Opportunity to participate in Rivian’s Employee Stock Purchase Program, subject to eligibility requirements
• Potential eligibility for an annual performance bonus and equity awards

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed